Simmons Farm and Vineyard has received an Agricultural Environmental Management award for conservation work intended to limit runoff into the Keuka Lake watershed.
The recognition is part of the voluntary Lake Friendly Farming initiative run by Yates County Soil & Water Conservation District in collaboration with the Keuka Lake Association, the groups said in a September announcement.
The farm grows more than 30 grape varieties on terrain that includes steep slopes and clay soils, conditions that can increase erosion when heavy rain moves across the vineyards. Its soil and water practices include maintaining sod between vines, building diversion ditches and stormwater retention basins, placing stone in eroding ditches and controlling runoff from farm lanes.
The farm also uses mulch in vineyard rows and is shifting toward a wider range of cover crops. The conservation work has been carried out with the Soil & Water Conservation District and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, according to the announcement.
Its crop-management practices include rotating herbicides and directing fungicide sprays toward leaves with fan-equipped equipment to reduce drift. The groups said the farm limits phosphorus applications to the establishment of new vines; excess phosphorus in waterways can contribute to harmful algae growth.
Tom Eskildsen of Yates County Soil & Water said the award recognizes environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture. He also credited the recipients with supporting agricultural education, local organizations and younger farmers.
The watershed covers more than 100,000 acres, about one-third of which is actively farmed, according to the association. Conservation practices that slow and filter runoff can help protect streams feeding the lake while keeping farmland productive.
Keuka Lake Association President Rob Dintruff said cooperation among farmers, residents, local governments and businesses is important for managing the watershed. The association said the Lake Friendly Farming program offers incentives for science-based practices that protect natural resources and support farm profitability.
Photo: Ryan Bailey/The Eleven Lakes Guide, via Keuka Lake Association.
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