The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has announced the four finalists for this year’s AEM-Leopold Award, and two of them are in the Fingerlakes.
The four finalists are Ben Wever Farm in Essex County, Chaseholm Farm in Columbia and Dutchess Counties, Fessenden Dairy in Cayuga County, and Oechsner Farm in Tompkins County.
Ag Commissioner Richard Ball said, “New York State has long been at the forefront of protecting our natural resources and investing in critical conservation practices, and our farmers are key in helping us advance our climate goals while protecting our land and water and growing food for families to put on the table. The four finalists and their Soil and Water Conservation Districts selected for this year’s AEM-Leopold Conservation Award exemplify the best of what we see across our state, who are leading the way in implementing conservation practices on their farms and in their communities. I congratulate our finalists and thank them for inspiring others in the agricultural community in New York to follow their lead.”
In 2020, New York’s AEM Award partnered with Sand County Foundation’s nationally recognized Leopold Conservation Award to honor farms that go above and beyond to manage soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on their land.
Sand County Foundation President and CEO Kevin McAleese said, “These award finalists are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today. Their dedication to conservation is both an inspiration to their peers as well as a reminder to all how important thoughtful agriculture is to clean water, healthy soil, and wildlife habitat.”
Fessenden Dairy was established in King Ferry in 1863 and was one of the original farms to enroll in the AEM program when it was first adopted by the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District. The farm is operated by Tim and Ronda Fessenden, Dan Osborn, and Ryan Beebe. It has been described as a leader in whole farm systems approaches and grows 1,000 acres of feed for their 850 milking cows and youngstock. For over 25 years, the farm has produced and marketed its own manure-based compost, strengthening the connection between the farm and local communities, as well as providing valuable soil amendment.
Oechsner Farm is a regenerative organic certified grain farm in Newfield. Over 1,200 acres of crops are grown by Thor Oechsner and his team. The farm regularly works on projects with partners and offers community education and outreach events with the Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District. They also operate a grain processing facility, a solar-powered flour mill, a bakery, and a pollinator business to support fellow organic farmers and related businesses.
Ben Wever Farm operates on 495 acres along the Boquet River, with its main commodity being grass-fed beef. The farm’s owners, Shaun and Linda Gilliland, have been actively involved with the AEM program, with many of their practices supporting their approach to ecosystem management while reducing potential environmental impacts.
Chaseholm Farm is a 350-acre dairy and beef farm owned by siblings Sarah and Rory Chase. The farm has worked with the Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Dutchess County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Cornell Cooperative Extension on many projects, including rotational grazing, nutrient management, and riparian forest buffers.
The winner will be announced later this summer and will receive a $10,000 prize.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
