AUBURN - The Agricultural Environmental Management program held its first annual Sign Awards breakfast to honor six Cayuga County farms that have taken steps to improve the environment.
The goal of the AEM program is to protect and enhance the environment while maintaining the viability of agriculture in New York.
The sign awards recognize farms that have voluntarily participated in the environmental management program to protect natural resources, maintain economic viability, and enhance public support of the agriculture industry.
"Most of the farms are doing a really good job," said Sandy Huey, watershed program manager for the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District, during the environmental management award recognition breakfast at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Auburn Saturday morning. "We are there to help in areas that may be in need of improvements."
During the breakfast the chosen farms were given a participation recognition sign that will be placed on the grounds of the farm.
Connie Patterson, of Patterson Dairy Farm in Aurelius, said that the program has helped a lot with her growing numbers of dairy cows that she now houses.
Patterson Farms has been a family farm since 1828, and has risen from a 100 count dairy head to a 1,000 count dairy head in the past 15 years.
"I am a firm believer in the program," Patterson said. "They hold a wealth of information and funding to help improve the environment of the farms. I would encourage all farms to take part in this program."
Steve Nemec, owner of Grandview Farms in New Hope, has been a part of the cash crop farm that his grandparents started 90 years ago throughout his entire life.
"When it comes to running my farm I always try to do the right thing," he said. "And the right thing happens to be what the AEM program does."
Nemec said that he is proud of his family heritage and holds the strong values that his grandparents did the day that they began their farm.
"I currently sleep in the bedroom that both my grandfather and father died in," he said. "And if I am lucky I will die in that room as well."
Other farms that were recognized with the Sign Award include, Fessenden Dairy Farm, Fleming Homestead Farm, Elderberry Pond, and Cuddeback Farm.
The sign awards recognize farms that have voluntarily participated in the environmental management program to protect natural resources, maintain economic viability, and enhance public support of the agriculture industry.
"Most of the farms are doing a really good job," said Sandy Huey, watershed program manager for the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District, during the environmental management award recognition breakfast at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Auburn Saturday morning. "We are there to help in areas that may be in need of improvements."
During the breakfast the chosen farms were given a participation recognition sign that will be placed on the grounds of the farm.
Connie Patterson, of Patterson Dairy Farm in Aurelius, said that the program has helped a lot with her growing numbers of dairy cows that she now houses.
Patterson Farms has been a family farm since 1828, and has risen from a 100 count dairy head to a 1,000 count dairy head in the past 15 years.
"I am a firm believer in the program," Patterson said. "They hold a wealth of information and funding to help improve the environment of the farms. I would encourage all farms to take part in this program."
Steve Nemec, owner of Grandview Farms in New Hope, has been a part of the cash crop farm that his grandparents started 90 years ago throughout his entire life.
"When it comes to running my farm I always try to do the right thing," he said. "And the right thing happens to be what the AEM program does."
Nemec said that he is proud of his family heritage and holds the strong values that his grandparents did the day that they began their farm.
"I currently sleep in the bedroom that both my grandfather and father died in," he said. "And if I am lucky I will die in that room as well."
Other farms that were recognized with the Sign Award include, Fessenden Dairy Farm, Fleming Homestead Farm, Elderberry Pond, and Cuddeback Farm.
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