Conservation Farmer of the Year: Ray Furda

Conservation Farmer of the Year: Mr. Ray Furda, who is in his 80’s and has farmed all of his life, owns and operates a 285 acre beef and horse farm in Somerset Township, Washington County, and has been a conservation cooperator since October 17, 1949. The farm is extremely well kept and is located across from a popular public golf course. Mr. Furda installed a variety of conservation practices, including stream bank fencing, spring developments, tree planting, livestock crossings, warm season grasses, and a rotational grazing system. Mr. Furda also uses a low impact method of farming to constantly maintain an excellent vegetative cover on all of his pastures, planting and harvesting only hay. This low impact method of farming greatly decreases erosion rates, sediment runoff while increasing wildlife habitat. He participates in all of the available conservation programs through the Farm Service Agency and NRCS, including CREP, WHIP and EQIP. Washington County Conservation District Awards Luncheon December 12, 2006 For more information, contact the Washington County Conservation District by sending email to: washcocd@yahoo.com or calling 724-228-6774.