The winners of the Environmental Stewardship Award at this week's Beef Farmers of Ontario annual meeting is a couple from Mooretown.
Chad and Debbie Anderson, owners of Mooregrove Farms, were recognized this week.
The Anderson's were nominated by the Lambton Cattlemen's Association.
Mooregrove Farms, a fifth generation operation, consists of 350 acres of which 200 acres are in permanent hay and pasture.
For over a decade, the Anderson's have added a number of environmental improvements by increasing permanent pasture acres, establishing a designated wetland, installing structures and fencing to prevent contamination of surface water, adding grassed buffer strips along crop land, and planting trees as windbreaks.
Chad and Debbie have accessed a number of programs and enlisted the help of industry organizations to aid them in their management decisions and environmental improvements.
“Grasslands provide tremendous environmental benefits from improving water infiltration, reducing erosion, carbon sequestration, all the way to encouraging a healthy wildlife and pollinator habitat," says Chad Anderson.
“Over time we have really come to value the knowledge and support of everyone who has helped us find solutions to different problems, and who have provided some wonderful guidance along the way.”
In the future, the Anderson's would like to investigate a better approach to manure management, look at ways to increase permanent grassland acreages within their farm properties, and consider the option of producing grass-fed beef.