They’re Not Weeds, But ‘Conservation Seeds’
(Continued from Page A 1)
“It’s a good system,” Ernst
said of using living mulches
such as vetch on fields, “but it’s
hard to get people to do it.”
His conservation techniques
with the vetch put him in con
tact with a variety of people re
garding conservation practices,
which in turn increased his
awareness of natives and their
place in the environment.
By 1964, Ernst had added 40
acres of leased land to his opera
tion. Today, about *4O years
later, Ernst plants about 2,000
acres, which are divided among
five townships and spread
throughout a 15-mile radius. All
of the plots are in Crawford
County.
“1 originally tried to stay real
concentrated in one location,”
Ernst said of his planting loca
tions, “but then at some point
you buy yourself out of land!”
The operation includes 30,000
square feet of warehouse space
and 4,000 square feet of green
house.
His more commonly pur
chased products include seed for
switchgrass, since it tolerates
low fertility, and crownvetch for
areas with steep banks. Ernst
said he also sells a fair amount
of Tioga deertongue, which to
lerates a low pH and aluminum
concentrations, and is desirable
for strip-mine reclamation.
For farmers, Ernst said, items
such as switchgrass and Niagra
bit bluestem are a desirable
forage for livestock, although
they are a hard sell because they
take several years to establish.
Once established, however,
Ernst said the grasses produce
more volume.
Ernst said that as part of the
USDA Conservation Reserve
Enhancement Program (CREP),
National Dairy Shrine Announces Scholarship, Awards For 2001
COLUMBUS, Ohio Nation
al Dairy Shrine (NDS) has bud
geted over $30,000 for schol
arships and awards for 2001.
Deadline for completed applica
tions is March 15.
Interested individuals can get
additional information from
NDS’s Website, www.dairyshri
ne.org. Applications may be
downloaded with Acrobat Read
er or contact Maurice E. Core,
Executive Director, 1224 Alton
Darby Creek Road, Columbus,
Ohio 43228; phone:
614-878-5333; fax: 614-870-2622,
or e-mail: ndairyshrine@hot
mail.com.
Scholarship and awards in
clude:
STATE COLLEGE (Centre
Co ) - The Professional Dairy
M igus of Pennsylvania
(P vIP) \'ll be meeting in State
Co _ge on March 15, 2001 This
group of progressive, forward
thinking produceis and agri
business persons provides
opportunities for the members to
network, test their latest ideas,
ahd share cutting edge concepts
With education as the focus,
PDMP seive to promote a
favorable business climate in
Pennsylvania for dairy producers.
PDMP members work
collectively, support each other,
and unite for the benefit of the
whole dairy industry'.
Dairy producers are invited to
it is possible for farmers to
receive subsidies for planting
swtichgrass.
For the 2.5 million pounds of
seed he produces each year,
Ernst said he charges anywhere
from 10 cents to $4OO per pound,
with prices based on production
costs.
Ernst markets about 200
products, which comprise
mostly seeds but include cutt
ings from plants such as dog
wood and willow. He propagates
the cuttings in a warehouse he
has adapted by installing an
overhead greenhouse irrigation
system.
His sales in the past 20 years
have increased by about 10 per
cent per year, he said. As the
only business of its kind in the
region, Ernst reaches his poten
tial customers by attending con
servation shows, speaking to
trade associations, and advertis
ing in publications.
Much of his success, said
Ernst, has come from the partic
ipation of his family members.
His wife, Marcia, handles ac
counting and administrative
work for the company. His sons,
Andy and Mike, are both trained
in agronomy. His daughter
Robin has a mobile restoration
company that is often hired by
customers to help implement the
reclamation.
Although Ernst’s orders have
tripled in the last two years and
average about 90 per day, he
maintains that his success comes
from doing what interests him.
“It’s not only because it’s eco
nomically rewarding,” he said.
“It’s also a vocation in a sense,
because I love it. The whole
family loves it.”
For more information about
Ernst Conservation Seeds, visit
its Website at www.ernstseed
xom.
“Guest of Honor,” NDS’s
highest award, recognizes a con
temporary dairy leader for
achievements contributing signif
icantly to the dairy industry.
“Distinguished Dairy Cattle
Breeder” is presented to active,
operating dairy producers who
own and breed dairy cattle. Fam
ily groups, such as husband-wife,
father-son, and brother-sister, are
eligible as partnership teams.
“Pioneer” awards are pres
ented to living or deceased per
sons who contributed significant
ly to the dairy industry during
their lifetimes. Three or four per
sons are recognized annually.
“Progressive Dairy Produc
Professional Dairy Managers Take The Lead
attend the March 15 lh meeting in
State College Attending the
meeting will give producers the
opportunity to mtei act with
current members, see the benefits
the organization can have on their
own operation, tour fellow
members businesses, and listen to
the featured speakers
PDMP have two extraordinary
speakers lined up for the meeting.
Jeff Keown from the University
of Nebraska will be providing an
overview of the successful efforts
to expand the Nebraska Dairy
Industry and grow the agriculture
infrastructure throughout the state
of Nebraska Jeff has
implemented a partnering
program with the Governors
For farmers, Ernst said, items such as switchgrass and Niagra bit bluestem are a de
sirable forage for livestock, although they are a hard sell because they take several
years to establish. Once established, however, Ernst said the grasses produce more
volume.
For the 2.5 million pounds of seed he produces each year, Ernst said he charges any
where from 10 cents to $4OO per pound, with prices based on production costs. Ernst
markets about 200 products, which comprise mostly seeds but include cuttings from
plants such as dogwood and willow.
ers,” three cash awards ($2,000
each), are presented for educa
tional travel to outstanding
young dairymen (21 to 45 years
of age). Three herd size catego
ries: less than 100 cows; 101 to
500 cows; and 501 cows or more.
“Kildee Scholarship.” The top
25 contestants in the past three
National Intercollegiate Dairy
Cattle Judging contests are eligi
ble to apply for up to two $3,000
scholarships for advanced study
related to the dairy industry. The
top 25 contestants in the Nation
al 4-H and FFA Dairy Judging
Contests are eligible to compete
for a $2,000 college scholarship
(undergraduate work).
office and the Power Company to
provide for a favorable climate
for dairy In addition, Doug
Wilson, C O O of Genex, will be
sharing his international and
national perspectives on the dairy
industry. His global perspective
on dairying will provide
progressive producers with ideas
and insight in order to remain
successful in the future.
“The Professional Dairy
Mangers are a unique group”,
says Dan Mams, President of
PDMP
“PDMP offers
interaction, networking, and
problem solving among the
members No other organization
does that for progressive dairy
producers in Pennsylvania The
“Dairy Student Recognition
Program” is to recognize and re
ward graduating seniors plan
ning a career related to dairy
production. Winner receives a
$1,500 cash award, $l,OOO for
second and three to seven $5OO
cash awards (depending on the
number and quality of appli
cants).
“National Dairy Shrine/Dairy
Management Inc. (DMI) Milk
Marketing Scholarships” encour
age students to pursue careers in
the marketing of dairy products.
Four thousand dollars awarded
annually, $3,000 provided by
DMI and $l,OOO provided by
NDS.
organization is driven by
Producer Members and therefore
meets the needs of dairy
producers.”
The Professional Dairy
Managers invite dairy producers
and agri-business persons who are
interested in exploring new ideas
and learning new information to
become a member. Memberships
are offered to dairy producers and
youngstock growers. Associate
Memberships are offered to
individual agri-business persons
who have an interest in dairy.
Throughout the year, the
organization holds membership
meetings with an educational
focus. Previous membership
meeting have focused on topics
“McCullough Scholarships”
are two scholarships ($2,500 and
$1,000) awarded annually to
high school seniors planning to
enter a 4-year college or universi
ty with intent to major in:
Dairy/Animal Science with a
communications emphasis or Ag
ricultural Journalism with a
Dairy/Animal Science emphasis.
If you know someone who
should be nominated for these
awards, please request applica
tions now or visit our Website
and download the applications.
Winners will be announced in
June, with the awards to be pres
ented at the annual NDS awards
banquet in Madison, Wisconsin
on Thursday, Oct. 4,2001.
such as Benchmarking, Hispanic
Labor, Break Through
Management, Cost of Production,
Milk Marketing, Expansion,
Nutrient Management, and
Innovative Technology. In
addition the membership plans an
out-of-state tour m the fall.
For more information about
PDMP or the meeting on March
15, contact Tammy Perkins at
(888) 373-7232 or email at
taplO@psu.edu.