Stream-Valley Farm honored as SWCD’s Conservation Farm of the Year
Why do people get into farming?
For Mose Mast, recipient of the 2011 Holmes County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Conservation Farm Award, it is more than simply finding something that can support his family.
When Mast signed on to farm, he made himself a commitment: He was going to take care of the land and livestock and leave it a better place for the next generation.
As the owner of Stream-Valley Farm, Mast has been a man of his word, and because of that, was honored for his efforts at the 64th annual SWCD annual meeting at Carlisle Village Inn at Walnut Creek Nov. 17.
For someone who has been in farming for the better part of four decades, Mose Mast certainly doesn’t seem to have any qualms about his chosen profession. Nor does he have any issues with farming and raising his family in rural Amish Country, where hard work and dedication are the backbone of an industry that is both demanding and gratifying.
“Every day, every month, every year has its challenges, and I like challenges,” said Mast. “New and exciting things are always on the horizon. There is no better place to raise a family. After 35 years, I am still learning new and exciting things.”
As for the reasons the SWCD chose the Mast family farm as their recipient for the 2011 Conservation Farm Award, the reasons are many, and the Masts have been utilizing the SWCD’s conservation practices for years.
In 2003, 2004 and 2005, the Masts hosted the South Fork Sugar Creek farmer meetings, a perfect opportunity to introduce area farmers within the South Fork area to the topics of the SARE South Fork Fence project and the Alpine Nutrient Trading Program.
When Mast decided to invest in the two programs, he was able to build 1,720 feet of fence to stop his livestock from getting into a tributary of the South Fork.
That was in 2005, and Mast said of the move, “I should have fenced in those areas several years ago. The cows are cleaner and my Somatic Cell Count has dropped.”
The Somatic Cell Count is the count of white blood cells in correlation with milk. The lower the number the better, and Mast’s numbers rapidly improved.
In 2007, Mast enrolled in the Alpine Nutrient Trading Program, and by doing so improved the quality of the water in the Sugar Creek. He did so by building better milk house drainage and focusing on improving run-off.
Mast improved his feed lots by constructing a heavy use pad, an access lane and pouring concrete on part of the dirt lots. The project also created additional manure storage area.
In addressing the milk house drainage issues, Mast installed a storage tank to collect milk house waste. The milk house waste is now applied to the farm fields.
As part of the project, Mast also developed a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan, having the SWCD test his soil to determine the crop nutrient needs. Manure and fertilizer applications were planned, and now Mast keeps written manure application records, which help him make advantageous fertilizer purchases.
“Stream-Valley Farm is a great example of applying conservation to the land,” said Joe Christner, SWCD water quality technician. “Mose identified resource concerns, developed a plan and implemented best management practices over several years that addressed the resource concerns and improved farm operations.”
When asked why he felt it was necessary to implement all of these programs Mast replied, “It helps to reduce nutrients and sediment in our watershed while conserving natural resources for future generations. It also helps to grow and sell a better product for the present generation.”
For Mose Mast, recipient of the 2011 Holmes County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Conservation Farm Award, it is more than simply finding something that can support his family.
When Mast signed on to farm, he made himself a commitment: He was going to take care of the land and livestock and leave it a better place for the next generation.
As the owner of Stream-Valley Farm, Mast has been a man of his word, and because of that, was honored for his efforts at the 64th annual SWCD annual meeting at Carlisle Village Inn at Walnut Creek Nov. 17.
For someone who has been in farming for the better part of four decades, Mose Mast certainly doesn’t seem to have any qualms about his chosen profession. Nor does he have any issues with farming and raising his family in rural Amish Country, where hard work and dedication are the backbone of an industry that is both demanding and gratifying.
“Every day, every month, every year has its challenges, and I like challenges,” said Mast. “New and exciting things are always on the horizon. There is no better place to raise a family. After 35 years, I am still learning new and exciting things.”
As for the reasons the SWCD chose the Mast family farm as their recipient for the 2011 Conservation Farm Award, the reasons are many, and the Masts have been utilizing the SWCD’s conservation practices for years.
In 2003, 2004 and 2005, the Masts hosted the South Fork Sugar Creek farmer meetings, a perfect opportunity to introduce area farmers within the South Fork area to the topics of the SARE South Fork Fence project and the Alpine Nutrient Trading Program.
When Mast decided to invest in the two programs, he was able to build 1,720 feet of fence to stop his livestock from getting into a tributary of the South Fork.
That was in 2005, and Mast said of the move, “I should have fenced in those areas several years ago. The cows are cleaner and my Somatic Cell Count has dropped.”
The Somatic Cell Count is the count of white blood cells in correlation with milk. The lower the number the better, and Mast’s numbers rapidly improved.
In 2007, Mast enrolled in the Alpine Nutrient Trading Program, and by doing so improved the quality of the water in the Sugar Creek. He did so by building better milk house drainage and focusing on improving run-off.
Mast improved his feed lots by constructing a heavy use pad, an access lane and pouring concrete on part of the dirt lots. The project also created additional manure storage area.
In addressing the milk house drainage issues, Mast installed a storage tank to collect milk house waste. The milk house waste is now applied to the farm fields.
As part of the project, Mast also developed a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan, having the SWCD test his soil to determine the crop nutrient needs. Manure and fertilizer applications were planned, and now Mast keeps written manure application records, which help him make advantageous fertilizer purchases.
“Stream-Valley Farm is a great example of applying conservation to the land,” said Joe Christner, SWCD water quality technician. “Mose identified resource concerns, developed a plan and implemented best management practices over several years that addressed the resource concerns and improved farm operations.”
When asked why he felt it was necessary to implement all of these programs Mast replied, “It helps to reduce nutrients and sediment in our watershed while conserving natural resources for future generations. It also helps to grow and sell a better product for the present generation.”
Published: November 22, 2011
