The Cayuga County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) recently honored five local farms with its annual Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Farm Awards, recognizing their leadership in environmentally responsible agriculture.
This year’s award winners are:
- Finger Lakes Nut Farm
- Kyle Farms
- Minturn Farms
- Scipio Springs Dairy
- Sierzenga Farms LLC
The awards were presented during a ceremony at Yawger Brook Catering in Auburn, following a bus tour of Minturn Farms and Scipio Springs Dairy, which showcased conservation practices in action.
“This year’s award recipients demonstrate that environmental stewardship is not a one-time project, but an ongoing way of farming,” said SWCD Executive Director Doug Kierst. “By combining AEM-supported projects with self-driven conservation efforts, they’re helping to protect our land and water for future generations while keeping agriculture strong in Cayuga County.”
The AEM program is a voluntary, statewide initiative that helps farmers assess environmental risks, set goals, and implement science-based conservation practices. Locally, that work includes nutrient management systems, erosion control, streambank stabilization, and soil health projects—all tailored to each farm’s needs.
Abbey Hai, watershed conservation specialist with the SWCD, noted that many farms go even further on their own. “Adjusting crop rotations, managing pastures, planting cover crops, and carefully timing nutrient applications are a few examples of those important practices,” she said.
The program highlights the role farmers play in protecting soil health and safeguarding Cayuga County’s streams, rivers, and lakes while supporting a sustainable future for agriculture.
About the Award Winners
Finger Lakes Nut Farm, located at the headwaters of the Owasco Lake Watershed, comprises approximately 1,200 chestnut trees, 600 hazelnut bushes and some heartnut trees planted in a 15-acre, fenced-in enclosure. Through their own research, they discovered that while chestnuts are in large demand in the United States, there are very few growers. With the success of the farm’s initial small planting, they have increased chestnut production while implementing best management practices, including planting cover crops to eliminate erosion, control water infiltration and promote carbon sequestration. Now in their eighth year, Finger Lakes Nut Farm is a member of the New York Nut Growers of America, an active participant in the Cayuga County AEM Program and the NYS Grown & Certified Program, and a founding member of the New York Tree Crops Alliance.
Kyle Farms, located in the Lake Ontario Watershed, was founded in 2006. Now totaling 684 acres, the farm produces organic corn, soybeans, hay, wheat, processing snap beans, buckwheat and custom-grazed beef cattle. As active participants in the Cayuga County AEM program, Kyle Farms implements soil health practices, including cover crops, buffer strips and grassed waterways, among other best management practices.
Minturn Farms, located in the Cayuga Lake Watershed and founded in 1963, is a multigenerational beef production operation. With 91 contiguous acres, Minturn Farms produces corn, soybeans, alfalfa/grass mix hay, and rye/wheat that they feed to their cattle. As a very active participant in the Cayuga County AEM program, Minturn strives to protect water quality and prevent soil erosion. Their cattle are rotationally grazed for the promotion of soil health, and the farm incorporates nutrient management systems throughout their facility to improve nutrient application and protect the surrounding pastureland from over-application and runoff.
Scipio Springs Dairy, located in the Cayuga Lake Watershed, is a large dairy operation founded in 2002. In addition to milking 1,100 cows and raising an additional 550 heifers, they produce a variety of cash crops such as wheat, alfalfa, grass hay, corn silage and grain, and triticale. As an active participant in the Cayuga County AEM program, Scipio Springs consistently applies conservation and best management practices, including nutrient management and soil health systems. Scipio Springs Dairy is heavily involved in the local community, from working with the county 4-H program to hosting workshops and providing agricultural education at the State Fair.
Sierzenga Farms, located in the Owasco Lake Watershed, produces a variety of cash crops. Sierzenga Farms is an active participant in the Cayuga County AEM program, consistently working on implementing best management practices like cover crops and soil health systems. Since the mid-1990s, Sierzenga Farms has frequently attended community meetings and workshops and has provided farmer insight to local watershed groups.
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