The Cattaraugus County Soil & Water Conservation District has selected Dustin Bliss of Bliss Dairy Company, LLC for the 2018 Conservation Farm of the Year Award. Mr. Bliss operates a dairy farm in the Town of Freedom. He has actively participated in NY State’s Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program, and has worked in close cooperation with various partner agencies and organizations, including the Conservation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service & Farm Service Agency, and Western NY Crop Management Association to implement many conservation practices on his farm. These projects help to address agricultural runoff, agricultural nutrient management, erosion & sediment control, and grazing management. He is carrying on the conservation efforts of the previous farm operators, Carl Jr. & Barb George, who were also selected for this award many years ago. Practices and projects implemented to date include:- Expansion & upgrade to an existing manure storage structure for the main dairy facility, which allows for application of nutrients at optimum times of the year for improved crop production and reduced runoff potential. 350 ft. rock lined outlet to reduce erosion from concentrated runoff.- Construction of improved waste handling facility for the heifer barn to provide for better storage of manure, improve drainage, and reduce runoff from the site.- Over 4000 feet of diversion ditch with a 350 ft. rock lined outlet to reduce erosion from concentrated runoff.- Approximately 100 acres of cover crop planted to reduce cropland erosion and improve soil health.- Implementation of over 82 acres of rotational grazing and associated practices including 8 livestock watering facilities, over 18,000 feet of fence, and nearly 2000 feet of stabilized livestock laneways including a stream crossing to improve quality of grazing forages while also reducing runoff & erosion from pastures. Dustin is planning some additional conservation projects over the next few years, including more cover crops, additional components to the manure system, and some additional grazing management practices.
