A Cayuga County farm has won the AEM-Leopold Conservation Award.
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced on Thursday that Sunnyside Farms in Scipio Center won the award which honors farmers who go above and beyond to manage soil health, water quality, and animal habitat on their land.
According to the department, the Rejmans implement conservation practices throughout their farm and have a longstanding partnership with the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District. They also regularly open their farm to research, tours, and training events.
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “New York’s AEM-Leopold Conservation Award is an annual opportunity to recognize landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management and who are dedicated to leaving the land better than how they found it, each and every day. We thank the Sand County Foundation for collaborating with us to host this most distinguished award and congratulate the Rejman family, Sunnyside Farms, and the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District for their incredible work stewarding the land in their care. You serve as an inspiration to other farm families across New York who are keeping their land healthy, productive, and thriving.”
The farm, owned and operated by brothers Greg and Neil Rejman, spans 7,500 acres of land located between Cayuga and Owasco Lakes and is home to approximately 5,000 dairy cows and 4,000 replacement stock.
As winners, Sunnyside Farms received a $10,000 cash prize from the Sand County Foundation, a national nonprofit conservation organization.
Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer said, “These award recipients are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today. Their dedication to conservation shows how individuals can improve the health of the land while producing food and fiber.”
Back in July, Sunnyside Farms was named as one of three finalists for the award with the other two being Humbert Farms in Wayne County and Ben Wever Farm in Essex County.
The New York State AEM-Leopold Award was created in 2020 when the state’s Agricultural Environmental Management Award joined forces with the nationally recognized Leopold Conservation Award.
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