Date:
7/23/2002 3:01:00 PM
Title:
Georgia Farm Receives Regional Environmental Award
Asa and Julie Phillips, owners of Wakefield Farm, were recognized for their exceptional environmental stewardship at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) annual summer conference.
Wakefield Farm, located in Hartwell, Ga., was established in the early 1980s. Today the farm consist of 1,400 acres and is primarily utilized as a commercial cow/calf operation.
The Phillips family created Wakefield farm by piecing together tracks of land that had once been used in row crop production. “The land had been heavily cropped, losing 22 tons per acre of soil a year,” said Asa Phillips. “Using conventional and no-till crop sequencing for forage production we have reduced the soil loss on most of the farm to less than one ton per acre.”
“It takes dedication of resources and a respect for the environment to convert abused row crop land into pastures suitable for cattle production. This is what the Phillips family has been able to do with Wakefield Farm,” said NCBA President Wythe Willey. “This, show a true commitment and respect for the environment by the Phillips.”
Sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program recognizes cattle producers whose stewardship practices are inventive, cost-effective and contribute to environmental conservations. The recipients of this top U.S. beef industry award are selected by a committee of representatives from university faculty, federal and state government agencies, and conservation and environmental organizations.
Wakefield Farm derives its income primarily from the sale of cattle, including backgrounding calves, fed heifers and steers, bulls and recipient cows for embryo transplants. Timber is sold as various stands need thinning. The Phillips family participates in a national beef alliance to track the performance of their cattle and to make the adjustments needed to improve the quality of the beef they are raising.
Wakefield Farm began fencing out streams and ponds in 1993. The Phillips drilled nine wells to supply water for 30 concrete watering troughs. NRCS provided guidelines to design heavy use crossings, where cattle can cross streams.
“I didn’t start out a conservationists. It was just the right thing to do to make the business successful,” stated Asa Phillips. “Nature and man must be in balance and this farm was out of balance. It has been our goal to bring all things back in balance and that required fine-tuning in soil erosion, water quality, wildlife habitat, watersheds and other areas.
A 10-year stewardship management plan was written for Wakefield Farm by the Georgia Forestry Commission that includes conservation, wildlife and timber. The forest lands are certified by the American Tree Farm System.
Involvement in programs that promote environmental stewardship are extremely important to the Phillips. The farm is located just 45 miles from the University of Georgia enabling it to participate in many research and educational programs. The farm was apart of a program that studied commodities to help farmers deal with production costs, conservation, marketing, machinery and feasibility. The university has also used the farm to test forages, soil nutrients and water quality.