Terraceland Receives First River-Friendly Farm Certification

            The North Jersey Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC&D) located in Clinton has initiated a Voluntary River-Friendly Farm Program.  The goal of the new program is to improve water quality and recognize farmers who are being good stewards of the land by protecting our water resources. 

            The first River-Friendly Farm Certification was awarded to Greg and Chris Manners of Terraceland located in East Amwell Township, Hunterdon County.  Their farm operation consists of 130 acres and is devoted to growing corn, oats, wheat, sorghum, rye, hay and raising swine and beef.  An additional several hundred neighborhood acres are rented and cropped by the Manners.  The couple received their award (a River-Friendly Farm plaque and sign) at the Hunterdon Annual Farmers Businessman’s picnic which was held this year at Terraceland.

River-Friendly Farm designation is given to those that manage their farms to protect and enhance the water resources that provide drinking water to millions of people.  River-Friendly farms do all of the following: Reduce soil erosion so sediment does not enter waterways, reduce fertilizer to minimum amounts needed to prevent leaching into water, provide essential vegetative habitat along water bodies to help protect aquatic organisms, apply pesticides and other control methods at appropriate time based on crop need, and irrigate crops only when necessary to help conserve water.

            Rain that falls on the Terraceland farm drains into the Neshanic River, which empties in to the Raritan River and becomes part of a water supply system providing drinking water to nearly 2 million people.  Because of their long history of conservation and continued efforts to implement water quality protection measures, the Manners were ideal candidates for recognition under the River-Friendly Farm program.  Even the name Terraceland shows how dedicated the Manners are to conservation on their farm.  Terraceland is derived from the many terraces the Manners’ have constructed on their farm, which help reduce soil erosion and in turn improve water quality.  Other conservation practices implemented on Terraceland that protect water quality include a settling basin, and conservation tillage.

            Other farms in Hunterdon, Morris, and Somerset Counties may be eligible for recognition in the River-Friendly Farm program.  

            The North Jersey RC&D serves and is sponsored by the Freeholders and Soil Conservation Districts of Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Warren and Union Counties.  Through partnerships with municipal, state and federal agencies, as well as many private entities, the Council develops and manages programs and projects that promote the improvement and wise use of the region’s human and natural resources.

For More Information Contact:

Dana Ronyack, Agricultural Outreach Specialist  

dronyack@northjerseyrcd.org                                            

908-735-0733  Ext.  102