Date:
7/11/2006 12:00:00 AM
Title:
Georgia Ranch Wins Top Environmental Award
For Immediate Release
Hayston Farms is ESAP Region II Winner
Washington, D.C. (July 11, 2006) –The Greer family of Mansfield, Georgia has been selected as one of the seven Regional Winners of the 2006 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The national award program is administered by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and recognizes cattle producers across the nation that utilize inventive, cost effective stewardship practices that contribute to environmental conservation.
Located in north central Georgia, just 45 miles southeast of Atlanta, Hayston Farms was nominated by the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and represents NCBA’s Region II, which includes eight southeastern states spanning from Louisiana to North Carolina.
“The Greer family exhibits tremendous stewardship in regards to wildlife preservation, grasslands enrichment and timber management,” explains Stacey Katseanes, coordinator of the program. “They’ve made a lifetime commitment to preserving open landscapes that have gradually become the outskirts of a huge metropolitan area.”
Hayston Farms covers 1,255 acres in Georgia’s Newton, Oglethorpe and Wilkes counties. Their property is diverse, featuring everything from open pasture to dense forestland. They own 90 Brangus cows that calve in both fall and spring.
“The Greer family pays careful and complete attention to the health of their pastures,” says Katseanes. “By keeping low stocking rates, ensuring that practices are in place to limit erosion and conducting rotational grazing, they ensure that the pastures stay green and cattle always have access to enough high quality grass.”
Abiding by a “more grass than cattle” rule, Mr. Greer combines pasture seeding, fertilizer application and pest control measures. Additionally, he consistently tests his soils and closely observes water quality, adjusting pasture use accordingly to maintain the operation’s balance.
“Mr. Greer has planted food plots, created corridors for wildlife movement and maintained habitats for sheltering wildlife on the farm,” says Katseanes. “He has even actively designed safeguards to prevent poaching on his property and meticulously observes the tree population.”
The work of Fred and Peggy Greer has guaranteed homes for innumerable wildlife including deer, bobcats and countless birds. Planting, thinning and harvesting are rotated to maintain the aesthetically pleasing landscape for the Greer family and the public. In addition, Hayston Farms actively works to embrace the public and educate them about land preservation and agriculture.
“The Greers are solution-oriented cattle producers who regularly open their home and operation for conservation field days and demonstration events,” states Jim Strickland, president of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association. “Any signs of the eroded cotton farm from the 1940’s have been replaced by permanent pasture grasses and Brangus cattle; designated wildlife areas, pasture rotation and fertilization based on continuing soil test recommendations and selective timber harvests complement the overall conservation and maintenance plan at Hayston Farms.”
Hayston Farms works closely with the Farm Services Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to achieve their land conservation goals. They have also taken an active role in the community, working with the county government on issues that affect agriculture and the environment. Mr. Greer was a founder and former Chairman of the Board for the Georgia Agribusiness Council.
“Why do we do it? Because it is the right thing to do,” Greer explains. “It’s been part of my blood and heritage and love from an early age. Our living came from the soil, water and forest. The better we cared for it, the better it cared for us.”
The Environmental Stewardship Award Program, now in its 16th year, is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences LLC and USDA’s NRCS and is administered by NCBA. The 2006 National Winner will be selected from of the seven ESAP Regional Winners and revealed at the 2007 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Tennessee next February. For additional information, contact NCBA’s Washington D.C. office at 202-347-0228.
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