Nichols Farm is a family operated, medium sized Dairy Farm located in the Town of Freedom. The farm is presently owned and operated by Doug and Betty Nichols. The farm has been selected by the Cattaraugus County Soil & Water Conservation District as the 2012 Conservation Farm of the Year. This award is being presented because of the farm’s commitment to protecting and improving the soil, water and related natural resources on their farm. The following characteristics resulted in the farm being nominated for this award:
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Nichols Farm has worked cooperatively with local agriculture agencies and organizations, including the County Soil & Water Conservation District, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Western NY Crop Management Association, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency in the implementation of numerous conservation practices to address agricultural runoff.
- The farm has been actively participating in the Agricultural Environmental Management program to address agricultural waste and nutrient management, agricultural runoff, erosion & sediment control, and water quality improvement.
- Best management practices installed include a manure storage structure, concrete heavy use area protection, milk house waste storage tank and pump system, and is currently working on a bunk silo runoff management project. In addition, the farm is implementing its comprehensive nutrient management plan, and utilizes a conservation crop rotation system to minimize soil erosion on cropland.
- The Nichols family also practices forest management, and produces maple syrup.
- · The farm also assists other local farms with harvesting and field work as needed.
