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A New Way of Life: York County Couple Increases Productivity though EQIP
By: Sabrenna Bryant, Public Affairs Specialist
When Mark and Shannon Robinson moved to their current home and farm in
Edgemoor (York County) in 1998, the place was pretty run-down and needed major
repair. When they initially bought the place, it was simply to have a home in
the country to raise their family. Both were working full-time jobs as they
restored the place. From time to time, they would help the existing tenants with
various farm chores and as those tenants got older and stopped farming, the
Robinson’s sort of picked up where they left off. Fast forward ten years and the
couple now operates over 300 acres of farmland between York and Chester
counties, with a total of 120 head of cattle.
The Robinsons now operate over 300 acres of
farmland between York and Chester counties, with a total of 120 head
of cattle.
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The Robinson’s signed their first Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
contract in 2005 for their farm in Chester county, installing several
conservation practices, including cross fencing, buffer strips, a well and
watering troughs. After realizing the benefits and efficiency of the
conservation practices, the couple decided to sign-up for EQIP on their farm in
York county, which is on the county line, with 197 acres in York and
approximately 7 acres in Chester. “We feel that what we are doing are not only
good conservation practices, but just good farming practices overall,” declared
Mark.
Through EQIP and technical assistance from Soil Conservationist, Jessie
Thomson and York District Conservationist LaKeisha Hill, the Robinson’s newest
conservation plan will enable them to cross-fence their farm into smaller
paddocks and install nine watering troughs. “The installation of this fencing
will allow us to practice rotational grazing effectively and give the grass a
chance to grow properly,” stated Shannon. The couple also has heavy use areas
installed at high-traffic areas, and at each of the watering troughs. The
installation of the heavy use areas has replaced the once unsightly mud holes
and eliminated soil erosion that was occurring in these areas. “Jessie and I are
excited to be working with the Robison's. They realize the benefits of
conservation practices to their bottom line and to natural resources overall,”
stated Hill. “It makes my job that much easier when the customer has this
understanding and an appreciation for what we try to promote as
conservationists.”
As the Robinson’s farm grew, so did the demand for time. Shannon quit her
full-time public job two years ago to dedicate all her time to the farm,
spending between 60-80 hours a week maintaining the operation. Mark continues to
work full-time, but spends at least 40 hours a week helping Shannon run the
farm. He plans to farm full-time once he retires. In addition to the cattle,
which are raised for commercial beef, the Robinson’s are also involved in hay
production. They produce square and round bales of hay from 320 acres of
neighboring farmland to sell for profit. Aside from occasional help from their
son and Shannon’s father, the Robinson’s run the farm pretty much on their own.
The Robinsons love what they do and feel that the beauty of their land and
productivity of the farm is well worth the investment of time and energy spent.
“Through EQIP we are installing practices that will provide us with an efficient
and effective farm in the future”, stated Mark. “And regardless of how much or
how little our farmland may expand in the future, we will continue to practice
conservation.”
For more information, please contact the York USDA Service Center at
803-684-3137.
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