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2007 Conservationist
of the Year
James O. Andrew
Andrew Farms, Inc.
Jefferson, Iowa
James Andrew was named the 2007 Conservationist of the Year at the ASA
Banquet at Commodity Classic in Tampa, Florida. Andrew, 2007 Midwest Regional Winner, was selected from
the four regional winners as part of ASA’s 2007
Conservation Legacy Awards Program. The Conservation Legacy Awards
is a national program designed to
recognize the outstanding environmental and conservation achievements of
U.S. soybean farmers. Along with the American Soybean Association
(ASA), the program is co-sponsored by
Monsanto and The Corn And Soybean Digest.
Founded in 1975
from three "Iowa Century Farms" and acquired lands, Andrew and his
father embarked on an intense program of annual tile outlet terrace
construction to protect the highly erodible land in their operation.
"Conservation is a 'way of life' in our operation as we strive to
improve and make our existing farmland more profitable rather than
investing in additional acres," said Andrew. "No stone goes unturned or
not given full consideration in this effort to meld our production goals
with the highest of soil and water conservation standards."
Andrew practices 100 percent no-till on
his farm. Since participating in on-farm nitrogen research since
1998, Andrew has adopted a spring-only anhydrous ammonia application
program. He keeps all herbicides and pesticides in locked buildings with
concrete floors. Excess chemicals are stored in a heated container to
prevent freezing and container breakage. He maintains three farm ponds
with grassed, wooded areas for fish, game and wildlife habitat. Ponds
have Canadian goose nesting barrels and wood duck nesting boxes.
All areas around creeks have buffer strips to prevent stream bank
erosion and encourage wildlife. "We feel it's our obligation not
to preach but rather to lead by example in encouraging our neighbors and
other farmers to join us in good soil conservation," said Andrew
In addition to an expense paid trip to the Commodity
Classic, the Andrews received a plaque, an engraved mahogany book clock and
a yard sign.
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Conservation
Legacy Awards: 2007 Regional Winners
In addition to James Andrew, Regional Conservation Legacy Awards were
presented to:
West
Region
Eugene and Nancy Swearingen, Bryn Pleasant Farms, Hiawatha,
Kansas. The Swearingens no-till all of their 2,000 acres
of soybeans and corn. Their acres include two Century Farms.
Gene Swearingen's great grandfather came from Pennsylvania and
bought the home place in 1891. Nancy's great, great grandfather
broke the sod on her family's homestead in 1873. Each of their two
sons lives on one of those two farms today.
The Swearingens began soil sampling
in three-acre grids four years ago and then went variable rate to
apply lime and some phosphate. Fertilizer is normally applied
with a dual-placement ammonia applicator so none of the fertilizer
can wash away, especially since all of their soils are considered
highly erodible. Pesticides and fertilizers are handled in bulk
containers on a semi flatbed with approved mixing equipment. Any
waste goes to the county transfer station for proper disposal.
Last year, Swearingen planted 7.1
acres of filter strips along active streams for better wildlife
habitat as well as 3.1 acres of wildlife strips around a wooded
wildlife area. "With two century farms in the operation, I've
grown up with conservation as a high priority," said Gene. "I
have been taught that you want to leave the land to the next
generation in better condition than you received it."
Northeast
Region
Sam Hancock, Hancock Family Farms, Inc., Fulton, Kentucky.
Sam Hancock is the eighth generation
to take over the family farm since the first acre was planted in
1823. He manages about 3,800 acres of corn, wheat and soybeans, of
which 2,900 acres are no-till (some not tilled since the early
1980s). By carefully following integrated pest management
practices, Hancock is able to minimize pesticide use unless
threshold levels are met. He soil samples in two-acre grids
every three years and then uses the maps to apply fertilizer using
variable rates. To minimize fertilizer runoff, he's built 30-foot
wide buffer strips with orchard grass or other wildlife-friendly
cover throughout the farm. He uses rock structures to stop
blowouts where main water flows enter creeks. Fuel is stored above
ground and waste oil is either picked up by a local sawmill for
lubrication or a car dealership where it's used to heat the shop.
Hancock keeps only enough chemical
on site to get through a few days of spraying. Then all jugs are
triple rinsed and recycled. He doesn't store ammonium nitrate
or any other fertilizer on the farm and he hides his anhydrous tanks
to help prevent theft. "Every day I think about the practices
I implement and how they will affect future generations," said
Hancock. "Conservation is not our hobby or something we do to
talk about at cocktail parties. It's not a cause, it's our
lifestyle." Pictured above is Sam, his wife Erin, Bella and
baby Mia.
South Region
Thomas (Toey) E. Lee, T. S. Lee & Sons, Inc., Alcolu, South Carolina.
T. S. Lee & Sons, Inc. believes that staying on the cutting edge of
technology increases their opportunity to keep the family farm
working and profitable. There are two main guidelines on which
their goals and objectives are based: conservation and
innovation. Five generations have contributed to the legacy of this
farming operation. Because of the legacy of those who
maintained the land before them, this family recognizes the
responsibility to conserve natural resources. They know
environmentally sound practices are necessary for the farm to remain
productive, ensuring that future generations will have the
opportunity to carry on the T. S. Lee & Sons' legacy.
Since 2001, the Lees have focused
on soybeans, corn, wheat, field peas and grain sorghum and about 95
percent of those acres have been strip-tilled or no-tilled. They
plant buffer strips and grass filter strips around the farm to
prevent nutrient leaching, chemical runoff, erosion and to control
dust. Spraying with GPS assistance has reduced the amount of
pesticides applied and eliminated application overlap. Large
flotation tires help prevent compaction and cover crops like rye,
oats and wheat help increase organic matter and prevent erosion.
The Lees plant food plots for deer, turkey, quail and doves.
Toey says he tries to follow the advice of his grandfather T. S.
Lee. "He told us to take care of our land and it will take care of
you." Pictured above is grandson Chase, son Tommy, Toey's mom
Marcella Lee, grandson Clayton and Toey.
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