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April 21, 2008 |
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On April 22, 1970, our country celebrated Earth Day for the first time.
Under the Nixon administration, the United States was experiencing a new
phenomenon among its population; a growing sense of awareness to protect
and conserve our natural resources and enact federal policy related to
the environment. Not since Theodore Roosevelt’s campaign to designate
great swaths of the American landscape as national parks in the early
1900’s had the sentiment in this country been so strong towards
environmental conservation. Earth Day and the subsequent creation of the
Environmental Protection Agency eight months later were the culmination
of this new found passion for the environment.
In the years since, the
federal government has released such measures as the Clean Water Act in
1972, the Pollution Prevention Act in 1990, and the Healthy Forests
Restoration Act in 2003. All of these pieces of legislation have been
aimed a common goal, that for which Earth Day was founded, safeguarding
our nation’s environment.
Here, in our local
community, a family owned and operated cattle ranch is exemplifying the
stewardship message of Earth Day. Dee River Ranch of Aliceville was
recently named the Region II winner of the National Environmental
Stewardship Award Program co-sponsored by the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef
Association (NCBA).
Mike Dee, manager of Dee
River Ranch, speaks with conviction when he tells the story of his
family’s commitment to conservation on the ten thousand acre diversified
cattle and farming operation.
“Of course we take care
of our land. My sister Annie and I run Dee River Ranch together with the
intent that we will not be the last generation in our family to make a
living off this land,” says Mike.
Whether it be limiting
the use of pesticides and fertilizers around wetlands and other wildlife
habitats or using rotational grazing strategies with their cattle herd
to prevent soil compaction and loss of natural grasslands, the Dee
family manages a functioning agriculture enterprise in harmony with the
ranch’s natural ecosystem.
Driving through the
ranch, you’re likely to see a herd of white-tail deer or wild turkeys.
These wildlife species thrive on the ranch due partly to the 3,500 acres
of crop land devoted to growing corn, soybeans, and wheat, but also due
to the fact that the ranch includes 4000 acres of habitat enrolled in
the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). This land includes highly
erodible and/or environmentally sensitive land that has been taken out
of production and set aside for as wildlife habitat. When applicable,
trees have been planted on this land while other areas maintain a stand
of native grasses.
Working with staff from
NRCS and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the ranch identified
potential soil erosion and sedimentation sites and set up high-traffic
protection pads comprised of geotextile cloth and gravel to avoid
problems caused by constant vehicle traffic or grouping of cattle around
water and feed troughs. Because of these measures, on-farm water quality
monitoring has shown a significant reduction in turbidity resulting from
the reduction in silt and sediment.
In an example of a
complimentary relationship between the poultry and cattle industries,
Dee River Ranch is making use of litter from local chicken farmers to
fertilize his pastures rather buying high priced synthetic alternatives.
All land receiving poultry litter is covered by a Comprehensive Nutrient
Management Plan developed by NRCS and the litter is applied based on
soil tests, manure test results, and the requirements of the forage.
The ranch has also played
host to a number of local and regional meetings where other farmers and
ranchers have been able to come and see different conservation methods
in practical application. The Dee family has also opened their doors to
the University of Alabama’s Rural Medical Scholars Program whose
students have made the commitment to return to practice in rural Alabama
after graduating from medical school.
“I think it’s really
important for these future doctors to see what happens in the daily life
of a farmer. One day, they may have an emergency trauma case where
someone has been injured in a farm accident and this will give them a
leg up on understanding the nature of that injury,” says Annie Dee.
All in all, the functions
of Dee River Ranch are a testament to the principles Earth Day was
founded on nearly 40 years ago; to protect human health by safeguarding
the natural environment.
“I wouldn’t consider
myself a ‘tree-hugger’ but I do think I’m a good steward of this land.
In the big picture, I realize I’m only here for a short time and what’s
here needs to be preserved for those that will come after me,” says
Annie.
Her brother sums up his
feelings about the family’s ranch with a simple statement, “Dee River is
my life, I love it here,” says Mike. |
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CLICK TO SEE
VIDEO & PICTURES FROM DEE RIVER RANCH |
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