Litwin Farms of Highgate.- Conservation Farm of the Year...

l- r Dave Emery( 2nd Vice-President, Kent Soil and Crop Improvement Association- co-sponsor), Greg Van Every (Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority- co-sponsor) Bill and Susan Litwin (recipients)
Photo Courtesy Janet Campbell

Bill and Susan Litwin, under Litwin Farms Inc., produce field crops on about 400 acres near Highgate, Ontario. Their land is mainly sand loam to clay loam. Their predominant rotation includes corn, soybeans, and winter wheat under-seeded to red clover. Alfalfa is included on some of the heavier ground. Vertical tillage (Salford RTS) is used to manage crop residues when necessary.

Over the last 23 years, windbreaks of spruce and cedar have been planted to reduce wind erosion. These are systematically thinned as the trees become crowded, to optimize windbreak porosity and maximize tree health.

Bill and Susan have both participated in the Ontario Environmental Farm Plan program with projects including water well and farm fuel storage upgrades.