Resources : Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District

Dueppengiesser Dairy Farm Wins State AEM Award

Posted Aug 9, 17 in Awards,

State Agriculture Commissioner Congratulates Wyoming County Farm as Recipient of the 2017 Agricultural Environmental Management Award Third Generation Farm Honored for Environmental Stewardship Efforts State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today congratulated Dueppengiesser Dairy Farm, located in Perry, Wyoming County, as the recipient of the 2017 Agricultural Environmental Management Award. Each year, the award honors the outstanding efforts of a New York State farm to protect and preserve soil and water quality. Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Congratulations to the Dueppengiesser Farm on receiving the Agricultural Environmental Management Award. This family-run farm has long worked with the Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District to ensure they are taking the steps to take care of the environment while increasing the profitability of their operation.” Dueppengiesser Dairy Farm was recognized today, along with the Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District, during a ceremony at Empire Farm Days in Seneca Falls. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Empire State Potato Growers, and the American Agriculturist Magazine presented the award to the family for their implementation of conservation best management practices that benefit the environment and protect the community. Mike Dueppengiesser, Owner of Dueppengiesser Dairy Farm, said, “At Dueppengisser Dairy, we have always been aware of the need for environmental conservation, and we strive to implement practices that will protect our lands for the future. Best management practices are a priority for our farm business, and we do our best to keep up with latest technology in conservation efforts such as implementing the use of cover crops, GPS technology, zone tillage and dragline systems. Working closely with our employees, plus collaboration with the Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District, strengthens our environmental stewardship efforts.” Dueppengiesser Dairy Farm is a third-generation family farm that manages nearly 2,000 milking cows and youngstock and operates more than 2,000 acres of cropland, producing corn, alfalfa and wheat. As early adopters of the principles of AEM, the family has implemented several practices, such as reduced tillage, use of cover crops, and nutrient management, to protect soil and water quality. The family is also very active in the community, hosting several agricultural education programs on their farm, including the Farm Bureau School Education Program, Agri-Palooza and the Western New York Soil Health Field Day. The farm has worked closely with the Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District, which provides technical assistance to advance agricultural environmental management practices within the county. The Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District has a very active agricultural environmental management program that has assisted over 361 farms since its inception. Their AEM Strategic Plan focuses on nutrient management and reducing cropland erosion, and Dueppengiesser Dairy Company has implemented various practices to address these issues that will improve soil health and protect water quality. Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District Manager Greg McKurth said, “The Dueppengeiser family has been a pleasure to work with over the years as they have proactively undergone numerous implementation projects related to improving conservation on their farm, along with hosting many educational outreach programs on their dairy, such as soil health workshops, and Wyoming County’s Agripalooza event. I am proud of the Wyoming County farms for working collectively and progressively with our District staff to be good stewards of the land.” The annual Agricultural Environmental Management Award is jointly sponsored by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, American Agriculturalist Magazine and the Empire State Potato Growers. Award winners are chosen from nominees submitted by County Soil and Water Conservation Districts from around the state. The first Agricultural Environmental Management Award was presented in 2002; prior to that, the award was known as the Agricultural Stewardship Award. New York State’s agricultural environmental management framework is a model for the nation as a voluntary, incentive-based approach to protect natural resources and meet the economic needs of the agricultural community.