Local Farmers to Receive the Agricultural Environmental Management Award
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PRESS RELEASE
Allegany County Soil & Water Conservation District
Press Contact: Gretchen T. Gary FOR RELEASE:
(585) 268-7831 Ext. 3 Monday
alleganyswcd@hotmail.com August 25, 2008
Allegany County Farmers Recognized for Outstanding Stewardship in their 'Field'
Road-side AEM Sign Recognizes Conservation Commitment
Allegany County Farmers will receive an Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Award, recognizing their farm’s commitment to
soil and water conservation. These farms include: Bainbridge Family Farm, Hillcrest Homestead Farm, and Hark Farm.
Executive Director, Gretchen Gary said, “We are pleased to recognize and award AEM Signs to these farms. They are exemplary stewards
of our soil and water resources, and the road-side AEM sign is a way to make the public and farming community aware of their high level of
commitment to protecting the environment. AEM benefits us all.”
Piloted in New York, AEM is a nationally recognized, voluntary program helping New York farmers to farm cleaner and greener. This
program provides farmers with technical assistance and resources to keep soil and nutrients on the farm and water clean. AEM also
identifies cost-sharing opportunities which help farmers implement costly improvements that protect our natural resources.
Farms make up 27% of the total acreage in Allegany County and directly account for the 1,810 full or part-time jobs; making them
important economic, ecological, aesthetic, cultural and open-space leaders.
Healthy soil and clean water are what keep farms viable businesses. Clean, well managed farms produce better profits, are more attractive
to lenders, hold a better resale value and are better for the community as a whole according to one of last years AEM award recipients.
Farmers are more interested than ever in environmental protection and an important part of the Allegany County Soil and Water
Conservation District’s mission is to assist farmers in taking their environmental stewardship to the next level through the AEM program.