​By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader
     The abundant grass crop in Bradford County leaves growers considering their options for managing it.  Harvest for storage as livestock feed is the most common decision, but it’s not the only one.   Many acres are used for wildlife food and cover.  And many acres are harvested another way – by grazing livestock.
     Grazing is often considered an efficient means of harvesting grass because it can be done with little or no power equipment.  Many grazers say that livestock have four legs for a reason – so they can go harvest their own food!  At a minimum, the infrastructure needed to make this happen is a fence and some water.  The last article explored decisions involved with supplying water.  Now let’s consider the fence.
     A producer first ought to ask the question “Could this be done without a fence?”  There might be a way and innovators should keep exploring possibilities.  For now however, the answer overwhelmingly is “You will need a fence.”

​By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader

​Bradford County farm fields are made for grass.  Our grass covered hill fields can develop highly productive soil while contributing virtually no sediment to waterways; two reasons it is the primary crop for our food producers.  Bradford county grass has been used to produce milk and meats for generations, and grazing can be one of the most efficient means of harvest.
Water supply in grazing systems can make or break production efficiency, so let’s examine some of the key factors involved.

By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader, Bradford County Conservation District
     Sustainable food production and distribution is getting people’s attention today.  Thankfully, we have had leaders among us who haven’t taken this for granted.  Let’s remember some.

By: Miranda Neville, Agricultural Resource Specialist, BCCD

     Last week I wrote about how farmers and the industry are growing and evolving exponentially. This week, I’d like to focus on how gender roles have also changed and evolved in the agriculture world. 
     Historically agriculture has been a male dominated industry. Still true today, but the number of women with hands-on involvement or decision-making power on farms is rapidly increasing. Women are also serving an ever-increasing role in the agriculture industry in other ways such as agriculture educators, animal nutritionist, A.I. breeders, veterinarians, CONSERVATION DISTRICT employees, milk testers, and quality assurance inspectors, to name a few. 

By: Miranda Neville, Agricultural Resource Specialist, BCCD

     In a fast-paced world that demands constant change with bigger-is-better ideals, many still look at small, conventional, dairy farming as an antiquated way of life. Often referred to as “stubborn farmers”, a term I’ve uttered myself more often than I care to admit…sorry husband, the advancement of farming practices has proven just the opposite.  Ironically, if you were to sit down with those “stubborn farmers” you could learn so much about the growth of the industry and how they’ve had to evaluate, adapt, and adjust to so many new pressures.
     The origin of the family farm was to provide a stable life for a family while supplying surrounding communities with farm fresh milk and locally grown produce. A simpler time. As communities got bigger, so did the demand on the farmer. Not only the demands, but more astringent regulatory requirements and increased skepticism from the general public. Though farmers are getting paid significantly less for their products, operating costs are at an all-time high and many cannot sustain. Dairy farmers are given two options: change to meet demands or sell the farm, the foundation of their family. 

By: Guest Columnist Troy Bishopp, Grazing Specialist, Upper Susquehanna Coalition
     Conjuring Forrest Gump; “For no particular reason”, I went for a winter pasture walk and kept on walking. . .
     And for no particular reason, I started to look at snow, as frozen water; ready and willing to infiltrate, when warming arrives on the landscape.  In areas of the country where water is lacking, capturing this white moisture is a critical element for the tap, habitat or the future growing season.
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By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader, BCCD
         If anyone was ever deserving of the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award, it is the Jackson family of Mt. Glen Farm in Springfield Township, Bradford County.  And Pennsylvania agreed, as the Sand County Foundation and Pennsylvania sponsors recognized the Jackson family on January 10th at the PA Farm Show. 
      Some would describe this as a lifetime achievement award in agricultural conservation, but it is more.  Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding described it as a multi-generational achievement award.  Dean and Rebecca would be quick to credit those who have invested in them and set the pace before them.  They may not realize it, but now this duo is doing the same for us.
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By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader, Bradford County Conservation District
 
'Tis the Season for contemplation. Having just come through harvest and entering winter, the growing season pauses and cues us to do the same. The natural world silently screams for us to slow down. It is time to ask again the important questions like - who are we? and why are we? A good time for some solid business planning. Let's consider an often-overlooked opportunity you may way to bring into the picture - the one-tenth principle.