A farm family from Zorra Township was selected as the winners of the Oxford County Stewardship Award.
The 2015 Oxford Stewardship Award winner has been released.
A farm in Zorra Township owned and operated by the Steele family won this year's award. Warden of Oxford County, David Mayberry, explains how farms become eligible for this. "Annually the county gives out an award to a farm family that has contributed to the overall well being of the environment through initiatives on their own farm. Each year the judges look at a number of properties and they narrow it down to 3 or 4 they think are making significant contributions towards a positive environment."
Three farms were in the running the one in Zorra Township north of Thamesford prevailed. Warden Mayberry discusses the advancements the Steeles have made to accept the honour. "They've done a lot of work mainly on conservation agriculture, trying to reduce erosion, and practicing best management practices that way. They have also done a lot of work on planting wind breaks to reduce wind erosion and they have actually been doing it for a number of years; you will see windbreaks that are 30 years old. It is nice to see them get the award." One of the requirements to be acknowledged for this award was to promote rural water improvements.
Warden Mayberry feels it is important to hold a friendly competition like this. "There is a natural tendency for farmers to want to prove the property they own - it is in their own best interest. We want to encourage that for future generations. As well we have good productive healthy soil and we will retain it as much as we possibly can because we are always going to want to eat tomorrow."
Two others farms were nominated: the Roth and Vanderspek families are located in East Zorra Tavistock Township.
The winner received a $500 gift certificate towards the purchase of a work of art by a local artist.
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