Farm is located in Cortland County
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
A farm in New York’s Cortland County is being recognized for its ongoing commitment to environmental management by receiving the 2015 Agricultural Environmental Management Award.
McMahon’s E-Z Acres, along with the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District received the award for their environmental ethics, progressive production methods and community involvement.
"The protection and conservation of our soil and water is increasingly important to farms across the state and I applaud the ongoing efforts to ensure they are being good stewards of the environment," Governor Andrew Cuomo said.
Among some of the practices on the 2,500 acre, 680-cow dairy farm in Homer, New York, the farm has gone away from traditional alfalfa-corn rotation and instead uses intensive grasses. The practices help enhance soil conservation while helping to keep the dairy herd healthy.
New York Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball said other farms could look to the McMahon’s for inspiration.
“The McMahons have made good environmental and animal care practices a top priority for their farm, and we congratulate them on their commitment to agricultural sustainability. Their environmentally conscious practices, with critical support from Cortland County SWCD, are a model for other farms and they are good partners to the community. We wish them continued success going forward."
E-Z Acres Farm is no stranger to praise for their work on the farm.
In 2007 they received the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District Farmers Partnering to Protect the Environment and in 2013 were named the Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agricultural Program’s Environmental Steward of the Year.