Redefinig Sustainable Agriculture Across Two Generations
Purchased by John Dawes in 1970 with his brother Donald Dawes and Professor Herman Purdy, the farm evolved into a national and international source of Angus genetics. The first beef farm within Pennsylvania to use embryo transplant, Huntingdon Farm utilized this practice to produce nationally recognized pedigrees that showcased birthing ease and better dispositions.
In addition to premier Angus genetics, at Huntingdon Farm the environment is a primary consideration. Huntingdon Farm is managed for maximum conservation, not maximum production. From the extensive best management practices (BMPs) utilized to the care given to their cattle, sustainability is the overarching ethos.
There are no less than 30 BMPs demonstrated and employed on the farm. Most have utilized professional expertise and cost-share programming to promote the farm’s core values. The farm is primarily crop lands consisting of alternating crops of Red Clover, Crimson Clover, Annual Rye Grass, Sudan Grass, and soil rejuvenation plots of turnips and alfalfa. Vegetation is fed to the cows, reducing the need for costly and carbon footprint-intensive food supplementation. Forested land within the farm’s boundaries is managed for habitat and farm income.
In 2007, Huntingdon Farm was recognized by Governor Edward Rendell’s Secretary of Agriculture, Dennis Wolff, with the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.
"Huntingdon Farm has a strong foundation in conservation planning and sets an example for farms interested in demonstrating sustainable energy practices," said Wolff. "Sustainability is a primary consideration at the farm, and is evident in all aspects of the business’s operation."