Lancaster farming. (Lancaster, Pa., etc.) 1955-current, April 01, 2000, Image 35
Brubakers Receive Prestigious Environmental Award ANDY ANDREWS Lancaster Farming Staff MOUNT JOY (Lancaster Co.) Luke Brubaker and sons Mike and Tony recently re ceived the prestigious 1999 Na tional Tyson Poultry Environmental Award for envi ronmental quality practices in stalled here. The Brubakers were one of five farms chosen throughout the country for implementing conservation best management practices to improve the envi ronment. Don Robinson, administrator for the Lancaster County Con servation District, said indus tries, including pork and poultry, “are becoming very much aware of their environ mental responsibility.” The Tyson-sponsored award helps Mahoning Outdoor Furnaces Cut Your Heating Costs With Our Outdoor, Furnace • Standard Model Burns Wood, Coal or Wood by-products • Multi-Fuel Model Bums Wood, Coal, Oil or Gas Adapts to any existing heat system Installation & Accessories Available Ri Available in sizes from 3 foot to 40 foot. Available with 15 inch sprocket wheels, 18 inch crowfoot wheels, 15 inch ductile wheels, or 20 inch ductile wheels. Flat fold wing packers feature a narrow 10 foot 4 inch transport width with a center bearing on the center section. HAMILTON EQUIPMENT, Inc. 567 South Reading Road, Ephrata, Pa 17522 717-733-7951 MARYLAND Chestertown - Kingstown Tractor Churchville - Walter G. Coale, Inc Frederick - H.B. Duvall, Inc Hagerstown - Antietam Ford Tractor Kennedyville - Starkey Farm Equipment, Whiteford - Deer Creek Equipment Altoona - Hines Equipment Bloomsburg - Nichols Farm Equipment Carlisle - R & W Equipment Co Cresson - Hines Equipment Easton - Forks Equipment Glen Rock - Wertz Farm & Power Eq... Klingerstown - Stanley's Farm Service. Lititz - Binkley & Hurst Bros New Ringgold - Eckroth Bros. Farm Equipment. Orefield - Eckroth Equipment Oxford - Deer Creek Equipment Quarryville - A.L Herr & Brothers Richland - Lebanon Valley Implement bring an “awareness to the no nagricultural community that farmers are doing the right thing.” Luke, in partnership with sons Mike, 33, and Tony, 28, manage about 800 tillable acres, including rented land, and maintain 470 cows. The Brubak ers manage 250,000 boilers under Tyson contract per year. Two of the three farms are under farmland preservation, noted Luke. Another is on the farmland preservation waiting list. Chairman of the county Farm Service Agency, Brubaker said that it’s “good for our people to try to get into the ‘winners’ circle.’ The farmers are good stewards of the land.” Mike and Tony Brubaker re ceived the award in Arkansas in Wholesale Distributor AUTHORIZED DEALERS February. Brubaker was one of 22 land owners on 6.7 miles of the creek who contributed to the Donegal Creek Restoration Project, con ducted over a three-year period in the late ’9os. The project in cluded stream restoration work such as creek fencing, streambed stabilization, stream habitat im provement, and other projects. In ail, said Brubaker, the farm implemented 17 best manage ment practices. Included is a wellhead protection area crucial to improving water quality on the farm. The farm, the “centerpiece of the award,” said Robinson of the conservation district, in cluded tree planting along the side, of the creek in addition to creek narrowing, to help keep ,410-778-1640 .800-286-8292 301-662-1125 301-791-1200 .410-348-2470 ,410-452-5252 .814-742-8171 .570-784-7731 .717-243-2686 .814-886-4183 ,610-252-8828 .717-235-0111- 570-648-2088 .717-626-4705 .570-943-2131 .610-366-2095 610-932-8858 717-786-3521 717-866-7518 cg;°o f - PETROLEUMS OR SYNTHETICS • Engine Oils • Automatic Transmission • Hydraulic Oils Fluids • Gear Oils * Lubricating Greases Available In Bulk Or Packaged Delivery Available Pertorm«nc« Product* Co .) p h # 717-733-6698 227 Wood Corner Road or 800-495-5823 LititZ, PA 17543 www.excelperformanceproducts.com •Combats stress in calves from ration changes, weaning, disease, scouring, shipping or weather changes. • Removes harmful bacteria from intestinal tract and promotes good health. • Slows fluid loss and aids in nutrient absorption. • Available in 3.5 oz. Pouches. Call today for your FREE catalog! (800) 468- 3877 or find us on the internet: www.vets-plus.com Maximizing Your Livestock 's Productivity the stream water cool and speed up the flow to accommodate trout and other species. It’s a “very prestigious honor,” said Robinson. In December, a team of Tyson judges arrived from company headquarters in Springdale, Ark. on corporate jet to analyze the farm operations and learn about the practices to improve the environment. Said Brubaker, “We’re not just doing something better than anybody else. There are a lot of good farms we’re not the only ones who are doing it. We’re just thankful for everybody’s help.” Brubaker noted that many different agencies were involved Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, April 1, 2000-A35 in the partnership to improve the stream, including township officials, USDA, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the conservation district, Donegal Fish and Conservation Associa tion, and others. The partner ship of various groups makes a “perfect mix,” he said. “There are so many good things for farmers to participate in,” Brubaker said. The agencies are “hoping to promote pro grams for farmers to do environ mentally sound things.” Large family farms such as the Brubaker operation are “lightning rods for environmen tal conservation,” said Robin son. WvetsPt&lK. y Animal Health & Nutrition