Don Sayre selected as state's best in soil, water management

Don Sayre (right) is honored by the state during its conference in Bowling Green

Every year the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts (KACD) recognizes farmers who take the initiative to implement sound, innovative and cost-effective conservation techniques and Best Management Practices. The state winners are selected based on accomplishments in soil and water resource management and pollution prevention.

This year, Anderson County farmer Don Sayre was honored with the state award.

He recently traveled to the KACD annual convention in Bowling Green to receive a certificate and a cash award.

All conservation practices that Sayre has implemented on his farm help to reduce runoff into streams caused by livestock activities as well as prevent soil erosion due to cropping practices. These include efficient pasture utilization by means of rotational grazing of improved pastures made up of cool season grasses and legumes.

In addition, Don utilizes a sacrifice lot for winter feeding to reduce pugging of pastures. To protect stream banks from erosion Don has built new fences over the last 10 years throughout the farm to exclude cattle from entering the stream as much as possible.

Other practices he has installed include:

· Fencing around an additional farm pond to exclude cattle

· Rock/gravel on Geotextile for four gate openings

· Seven gates have Geotextile in place to prevent rutting

· Four tire waterers and four Ritchie frost-free waterers, most of which are served by a municipal water source

A few years ago Don became aware of a collaboration through Mercer County Conservation District, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) that would utilize 319(h) funds to provide money specifically to the Cheese Lick Watershed, where he resides. He capitalized on the opportunity to install more practices to improve his farm. Furthermore, he volunteered to serve on the watershed project board to be the voice of Anderson County farmers. He later served in that capacity on a similar board when Anderson County partnered with the EPA and DOW on a two-year 319(h) project and is currently advising on yet another 319(h) project focused on the Sulphur Creek Watershed in Mercer County.

Throughout the years he has also partnered with the Division of Conservation and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to install Best Management Practices using State Cost Share and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) money.

According to Tommy Yankey, retired Anderson County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, “Don has been an outstanding cooperator and hosts numerous field days to share his knowledge with others. His farm serves as a role model for practices recommended and implemented using NRCS guidelines to address farm productivity and to address environmental issues as they relate to animal waste.”

His innovative solar technique allows him to pump water from his pond to four 3,000-gallon plastic tanks. The water is then fed by gravity flow to four tire waterers on 6000 feet of line that run South off the storage tanks. The pop-up risers go North off the storage tanks for an additional 2300 feet. The tanks are stored under roof to prevent UV breakdown.

Sayre joined with neighboring farmers to place their land collectively into a certified Agriculture District. According to the Division of Conservation, “The goals of the Agricultural District Program are to protect our best land for food and fiber production and to prevent its conversion to non-agricultural usage.” The total amount of farmland in the Certified Ag District is 899.52 acres, the largest in Anderson County. “The landowners recognize the value of keeping agricultural land farmable,” Yankey said.

Applications were judged by a state selection committee named by the Board of Directors of KACD and composed of public and private conservation agencies and organizations.

Sayre has served on the Anderson County Conservation District board since 2011 and is very active in the agricultural community. He received the local Master Conservationist award for 2023. The district congratulates him on receiving this award.

For more information on State Cost Share, education, or other programs the district offers, call 502-604-6101. The office is located at 1067 Corporate Drive, beside Kort Physical Therapy.