Six Ohio producers recognized for environmental stewardship
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Six agricultural producers throughout Ohio have been named the 2009 Environmental Stewardship Award winners by commodity member organizations and the Ohio Livestock Coalition (OLC) for their many accomplishments in protecting the environment and conserving natural resources.
"All of these operations have incorporated various management practices that protect and enhance the environment and precious natural resources while ensuring productivity and profitability," said OLC Executive Director Sandy Kuhn.
The 2009 Environmental Stewardship Award winners include:
Beef: Richard and Jayne Young, Belmont, Belmont County
Corn and soybeans: John Buck, New Bloomington, Marion County
Dairy: Carl and Janet Ayers and family, Perrysville, Ashland County
Pork: Signature Pork, Ken, Jerry, and Denny Niese, McComb, Hancock County
Poultry: New Day Farms, LLC, Raymond, Union County
Sheep: Ron and Carla Young, Van Wert, Van Wert County
All winners received a plaque from their industry's respective member organization, a farm banner and a proclamation of congratulations and recognition of their commitment to the basic principles of environmental and natural resource stewardship from Gov. Ted Strickland.
"These farms have minimized their footprint on the environment by working to preserve and improve water and air quality, to protect the land and to promote wildlife," Kuhn said. "That's what stewardship is all about ’Äì faithfully developing and using gifts, talents and resources to realize the maximum possible return on the resources that have been entrusted in one's care."
OLC coordinates the Environmental Stewardship awards program while seven cooperating member organizations ’Äì the Ohio Cattlemen's Association, Ohio Dairy Producers Association, Ohio Pork Producers Council, Ohio Poultry Association, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, Ohio Soybean Association and Ohio Corn Growers Association ’Äì sponsor the individual commodity awards along with Ohio's Country Journal.