Don and Ann Carruthers farm named Farm of the Year
Summary: Which Tuscarawas County farm was chosen as Farm of the Year? That and a few other well deserved awards were given out at the 68th annual meeting of the Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation district annual meeting held recently.The Don and Ann Carruthers farm near Newcomerstown was name Farm of the Year at the 68th annual meeting of the Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation District held on November 3 at St. John’s Church in Dover. The Carruthers’ 160 acre farm was established in 1904. In 2008, Don and Ann began fully managing the farm and in 2009 a grazing management program was developed and implemented.
Grazing management is a plan to keep your pastures healthy and allow time for the regrowth of the pasture grasses and to protect the fields over the winter. “The Carruthers farm includes 13,000 feet of fence, a gravel access road, two concrete heavy use pads, two automatic watering systems and over 6,000 feet of pipeline,” said Ali Long, of the Farm Credit Bureau, who sponsors the award.
Nicole Miles was named Educator of the Year for a project with her third grade students at Claymont’s Park Elementary during 2010 – 2011. In the project, Sewing to Mend the Environment, students recycled used clothing into colorful teddy bears which they raffled. The end result was a $923 donation to the Norma Johnson Center.
“Miles goes above and beyond using real life situations to reinforce what is learned in the textbooks,” said Marsha Zoller NJC director who presented the award.
Volunteers Daylene Hykes of New Philadelphia and Sandy Maistros of Sherrodsville were recognized for their hours of service to the agency. “We couldn’t do what we do without volunteers,” said Tracy Haney, SWCD program administrator, noting that those employed at the agency have had to “roll with the punches” caused by decreases to their budget and work hours.
A special award was given to Terry Scott, who recently retired from the Natural Resources Conservation service as a civil engineering technician. “His wisdom and expertise will be sorely missed. He was truly an asset to the (Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation District),” said John Sigrist, SWCD board secretary who presented the award.
Jim Rowe gave a report on the first ever Farm Day event which was held at Tuscora Park on Friday August 5. The event was held in place of the drive it yourself farm tours held in the past. “Our biggest problem is getting our message out to consumers. With the Farm Day event, we came to the consumers. We did reach some new people. It was an opportunity to talk to families and tell our stories.” Anyone wishing to participate can mark their calendars now, as Farm Day next year will be held on June 22.
Matt Liggett was elected to serve another term on the Tuscarawas SWCD board. “The folks who run for this office do it because they care,” said Bob Milligan, in announcing the results of the voting.
Wade Dunlap, Tuscarawas County Wildlife Officer, was the featured speaker for the evening. Dunlap’s presentation included photos depicting some of the equipment that officers use in their work and scenes they have encountered while investigating cases that range from deer poaching to marijuana crops grown on state property.
Host for the evening was Tuscarawas County Commissioner Chris Abbuhl. Becky Sewell was the winner of a door prize donated by Breitenbach Winery.
The Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation District provides assistance for the wise use of our natural resources, for more information about the organization go to www.tuscsoil.com or call 330-339-7976.