News Releases - 1996

Block Brothers Named First Illinois EPA Farm Stewardship Award Winners

Springfield, Ill. -- Tom and Doug Block, who jointly operate the Hunter-Haven farm near Pearl City, have been named the winners of the first Farm Stewardship Award presented by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Blocks were selected for their demonstrated consistent use of sound conservation practices and environmental awareness in operating their approximately 900 acres.

Hunter-Haven Farm includes a 90 cow dairy herd and a 90 sow farrow-to-finish swine herd. Offspring from their dairy herd have been sold through the United States and to Japan, Mexico, and South America. The farm produces corn, soybeans, alfalfa and wheat, has approximately 100 acres of contour strips, 12 acres of grassed waterways, seven grade stabilization structures, four waste handling systems and nine dry dams.

To cut down on fertilizer use, the Blocks buy and shred old newspapers and magazines to provide bedding in the dairy. Last year, they recycled nearly 50 tons of newspaper for this purpose. Purchasing the papers from a recycling operation run by the Carroll County Council on Aging lets them assist a local social agency as well.

Manure generated on the farm is land applied, and disked or chiseled into the fields to cut back on use of chemical fertilizers. Since the Block farm is located next to a 6,000 acre residential development located at Lake Carroll, they take the weather and prevailing wind conditions into account when applying manure to fields.

To reduce erosion, the Blocks practice contouring, contour strip cropping, reduced tillage and no-till farming. The dry dam structures reduce waterway erosion. Regular crop rotation lessens the need for insecticides. Fuels and pesticides have specific storage areas, with all fuel tanks located above ground and fitted with automatic shut-offs. Herbicides are mixed at least 100 feet away from the wellhead, which is up-slope from the feedlots and cattle yards.

Announcing selection of the Block families as the 1996 winners in what will be an annual event, Illinois EPA Director Mary A. Gade said: "Illinois farmers traditionally have been a key factor in the state's economic health as well as a force for responsible resource use. They have a deep personal interest in seeing that their children and grandchildren can farm acres that will keep Illinois among the leaders in American agriculture. The Block brothers are proof that successful farming and sound environmental practices can go hand in hand."

Doug and Edie Block have two sons, Dan and Nick. Tom and Mary Block have two daughters, Stephanie and Jaime. Both families have been active in breeders' and producers' associations, herd improvement organizations, the Farm Bureau, and state and county soil and water conservation programs. They have demonstrated environmentally responsible farming to groups ranging from foreign visitors to Girl Scout troops, 4-H groups, and elementary school students. Both families have been involved with local school boards, 4-H programs and church activities.

A sign identifying their farm as the 1996 Illinois EPA Farm Stewardship Award winner will be presented during Agriculture Day ceremonies at the Illinois State Fair on Aug. 13.