Local Family Wins Statewide Conservation Award

 (l-r) James Ferguson (left), President of the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts presents a plaque to the Langdon Family - sons John Michael and Hunter, wife Eileen and John M. Langdon as the state's 2010 Conservation Farm Family.

 (l-r) John M. Langdon Family - son John Michael, wife Eileen, John M. Langdon, and son Hunter.

Smithfield - The N.C. Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts presented the John M. Langdon family of Benson a plaque last week for winning the 2010 Outstanding Conservation Farm Family designation in their annual statewide contest.

The award recognizes farm families who take the initiative to implement sound, innovative and cost-effective conservation techniques to protect the natural resources on the their farm. 

Approximately 200 guests attended the celebration at the family farm.  Among the guests were local, state and federal soil and water conservation agency staff and district supervisors, elected officials, family friends, legislators and local businesses. 

Murphy-Brown, LLC provided the meal’s main course of grilled porterhouse style pork chops.  Rossie Blinson, student at NCSU and daughter of Bryan and Beth Blinson, sang the National anthem.  Farm tours were provided to the guests to observe the various best management practices the Langdon’s have installed on their farm.

Speakers at the event were from the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Cattlemen’s Association and a special “proxy” speech entitled ‘Farmland Under Fire’, recorded in advance by Megan Langdon who was unable to attend the event.

Conservation runs in the Langdon family.  “Land ownership gives you a responsibility to that property and everyone connected with it,” John said.  “We must work the land and preserve it for the next generation.”  John’s father began a legacy of conservation when he bought the Langdon farm and 29 years later, was presented the Outstanding Conservation Farm Family Award.  As a fourth generation farmer, John and Eileen’s son, John Michael, has continued the tradition of conservation, winning the state Future Farmers of America award for Soil and Water Conservation.

 “Conservation is the right thing to do,” said John Langdon, “it’s family heritage.”  The Langdon’s raise Red Angus and Simmental cattle, hogs, and grow corn and soybeans.  They have implemented many best management practices to prevent soil erosion and protect water quality.  Some of these include livestock exclusion fencing along waterways, riparian buffers, rotational grazing, livestock trails,  the installation of cup waterers for swine to reduce water usage, and heavy use feeding and watering areas for cattle.  They also implement an intensive animal waste utilization management plan on their farm.