EAST AMWELL - Ditzel Farm, owned and operated by Jenelle and Walter Ditzel, has been certified as a River-Friendly Farm, according to a news release.
The River-Friendly Farm Certification Program is a voluntary program designed to recognize farms that protect our shared natural resources through responsible land management.
"We are really glad to have participated in the programs that RC&D and NRCS provide," Jenelle Ditzel said. "We learned quite a bit about conservation practices and how to protect our soil and water resources and enhance our farm.
"We are excited to install another manure stacking pad for composting, and to utilize rotational grazing for our horses to improve forage consumption and pasture quality."
River-Friendly Certified Farms have demonstrated a commitment to protecting our natural resources through use of best management practices such as good manure storage, composting and spreading techniques, installing vegetated filter strips to slow and absorb farm runoff, and reducing bare-soil areas through the use of cover crops or pasture management with livestock.
Nestled along the Back Brook tributary of the Neshanic, Ditzel Farm is a 93-acre horse boarding facility that also grows hay and vegetables for sale. The Ditzel Farm is actively involved in 4-H programs and provides a practice space for the Round Valley Riders and Pink Ladies to practice for drill team.
Jenelle and Walter Ditzel have been involved in learning about and conserving their natural resources since they purchased the farm in 2000.
They have been aspiring for River-Friendly Farm certification since 2006.
They began by working with North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development to plant a buffer zone along the Back Brook tributary to protect the water from soil erosion and farm runoff.
The planting consisted of 300 trees and shrubs which were provided by the Fish and Wildlife Service and planted by youth volunteers.
In addition, the Ditzels have worked with USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service to implement over 40 conservation practices.
Kara Hasko, agricultural outreach specialist with North Jersey RC&D, presented the River-Friendly Certified Farm sign to Jenelle Ditzel at the East Amwell Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting in June.
"It really has been a great experience working with USDA-NRCS and North Jersey RC&D, and I recommend people approach them if they are interested in making conservation improvements on their farm," Jenelle Ditzel said. "We are happy to have this River-Friendly sign to hang outside of our barn."
For more information on River-Friendly Farm Certification or to become certified, contact Kara Hasko at North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development at 908-852-2576, ext. 7526.