The South Marysburgh Mirror Local Farmers Named County Sustainability Group Bursary Winners Two South Marysburgh farmers have been acknowl- edged for their commitment to sustainability and award- ed bursaries from the Prince Edward County Sustainabil- ity Group. David Prinzen of Walk- erdale Farm near Milford and Neil Usher and Rebecca Sweetman of Hawkridge Homestead on Morrison Point Road each received $1,000 bursaries. This is the 3 year that County Sustainability Group has granted an award of $1000 to a farmer in Prince Edward County who best demonstrates the values of ecologically sound , sustain- able farm practices which regenerate soil health, pro- tects vital resources such as water and biodiversity, re- duces the need for synthetic inputs and prioritizes re- newable energy sources. “Our group recognizes the importance of farmers and agriculture to the rural community and province. In particular, we are grateful for sustainable farmers who are doing their utmost to protect the health of the land and all living creatures by implementing best prac- tices. We want this award to demonstrate our gratitude and help their long term success in the very challeng- ing occupation of 2 farming,” noted a ‘ news release from the County Sus- tainability Group. We especially acknowledge , with this bursary, the challenges faced by young farmers just starting out in or- ganic farming or trying to maintain or expand an ex- isting operation. This is an expen- sive undertaking and not for the faint of heart. Eve- ry little bit can help, perhaps go- ing towards new seeds, greenhous- es, equipment, soil revitaliza- tion, irrigation, livestock, land leases, renewable energy or any number of important as- pects of modern organic farming. The funding is raised through the ongoing fundrais- er sales of rain barrel each spring. David is a 24-year-old, third generation dairy farmer in Prince Edward County who has pursued his lifelong pas- sion of starting his own farm in Cherry Valley in April of 2020. He grows cover crops to feed his 25 milking cows to David Prinzen of Walkerdale Farm, near Milford receives the bursary from County Don Ross. —County Sustainability Group Photo reduce land usage and im- prove soil health as well as use minimal tillage. He's installed a wind turbine in the nearby pond to improve water quality and decrease algae blooms during the summer. He's done soil sam- ples and submitted a nutri- ent management plan as well as a soil health plan with the local farm centre. With these sustainable sys- tems in place, he plans to continue reducing the eco- logical impact of the dairy operation in order to make the farm a resilient and eco- logically sustainable opera- tion. Neil & Rebecca continue to farm using organic, perma- culture, and regenerative principles while also working toward publishing more on their research and experi- ments in anti-capitalist farm- ing. They'll be adding perma- nent beds in their green- house which was their sec- ond full winter growing year- round in the unheated high poly tunnel. What they (Continued on page 3) June 2022 Volume 37 Number 5 Published monthly by Barbara McConnell, 41 St. Philip Street, PO Box 131, Milford, ON KOK 2P0 T: 613.471.1816 — E: The South Marysburgh Mirror themirror@kos.net W: www.southmarysburghmirror.com ISSN Number 1181-6333 (Print Edition) ISSN Number 2292-5708 (Online Edition) The South Marysburgh Mirror gratefully acknowledges the support of the South Marysburgh Recreation Committee and St. Philips A.C.W.