2010 Farm of the Year
Dave Miller (right), WCCD Board Chairman, presented the Farm of the Year Award to the Roger Sherwood family: Jackie, Roger, daughter Leyna Grove (back), daughter Ciara, and granddaughter Logan (front).
The Warren County Conservation District (WCCD) presented their 2010 annual awards at a ceremony on January 18th. The Roger and Jackie Sherwood family were honored with the 2010 Farm of the Year award.
Roger and his family bought their farm in 1992 on the Busti Road outside of Sugar Grove along the New York State line. Roger’s farm is comprised of 155 acres of beautiful riparian wildlife habitat, woodlands, and now, with the implementation of a new rotational grazing system, permanent grassland.
In the Spring of 2010, construction began on a 33-acre management intensive grazing system with multiple paddocks, gates, alley ways, and watering points. Cattle were grazing by early August. The cattle now harvest their own feed throughout the grazing season and the Sherwoods don’t need to haul hay to the barn and clean up and haul manure. This rotational grazing system and permanent sod base will help reduce soil erosion and help to build soil fertility.
Future plans for Roger’s farm include the possibility of adding pigs mainly for the manure nutrients. They are also considering adding a pastured laying hen operation when his young daughter and grand daughter are old enough to assist with that end of the business.
The future is key to this farm and a priority of Roger’s as he has had his farm’s application on file with the Warren County Agricultural Land Preservation Board since the early stages of the program.
Because of the Sherwood’s outstanding achievements in conservation on the farm, Roger is also a participant in the federal Conservation Stewardship Program. The goal of this program is to identify and reward farmers who have achieved conservation goals on their farm, and encourage them to adopt additional activities.
The Sherwood’s are also aware of and strive to protect the wildlife habitat on the property. They are currently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program to protect 19 acres of stream buffers along Stillwater Creek. More recently the family applied for and was accepted into the Wetlands Reserve Program, which will include those stream buffers, and will also add an additional 30 acres of stream buffers, 35 acres of wetland enhancement, and 7 acres of warm season grasses which will be protected for wildlife habitat with a permanent easement.
The Warren County Conservation District is proud to recognize Roger and Jackie Sherwood and their family as the 2010 Conservation Farm of the Year. Their enthusiasm and dedication truly make them very deserving of this award.
2010 Educator of the Year
Dave Miller (right), WCCD Board Chairman, presented the 2010 Educator of the Year Award to Jenny Watt (left) and Michelle Schoedel (center).
Mrs. Jenny Watt and Mrs. Michelle Schoedel, teachers from Youngsville Elementary/Middle School, were honored as the 2010 Educators of the Year.
Mrs. Jenny Watt is now on maternity leave for the remainder of the year and Mrs. Michelle Schoedel has taken over her position as an 8th grade science teacher for the remainder of the school year.
Mrs. Watt started a “Recycling Club” and an “Eco Club” at Youngsville during the 2009-2010 school year. During the course of this year, Mrs. Watt informed the middle level students about the importance of recycling. Last year, the students recycled 850 pounds of paper and 600 pounds of newspapers and magazines. The students had the opportunity to learn that they saved approximately 11 trees and 4,530 gallons of water (enough energy to heat an average home for 4 months.) The students are currently on pace to break this record for the 2010-2011 school year. They now understand the importance of recycling and they take pride in their weekly efforts!
The “Eco Club” allows students to explore the ecosystems around the school. They engage in analyzing various habitats and also explore wildlife during the course of the year. They have prepared for many projects and still compete in the Eco-Team(s) on a yearly basis. This club will also continue during the 2010-2011 school year.
The Warren County Conservation District is proud to recognize the excellent work which Mrs. Watt and Mrs. Schoedel do each and every day for the students at Youngsville Elementary/Middle School. Their enthusiasm and dedication truly make them deserving of the Educator of the Year Award.
2010 Service Awards
- 2010 Service Awards
The Warren County Conservation District recognized staff and Directors for their commitment to conservation in Warren County. Receiving awards for dedicated service were Richard Smith (left) for five years on the WCCD Board of Directors, Jean Gomory (center) for five years as the Watershed Specialist, and Larry Upton (right) for twenty years as a WCCD Board Director.
