Charleston, Mo., farmer wins award for protecting environment

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Wayne Corse described himself as "green."

For years, the Charleston man and his wife, Debbie, who both have master's degrees in wildlife studies, have practiced conservation efforts — paying special attention to protecting natural habitat — on their 2,600-acre farm located three miles east of Charleston.

"Conservation is nothing new to us," Corse said. "I have a degree in herpetology (study of reptiles and amphibians) and she has one in ichthyology (the study of fish)."

Over the years, the couple have given several presentations about snakes and fish to area elementary students, Corse said.

"We are very green-minded," Corse said. "That's a bad word to say around farmers, but that's the truth."

When Corse was named 2008 Mid-West Region Conservation Legacy Winner by the American Soybean Association, he was very pleased.

"We have been practicing these things for a long time. ...It was nice to be awarded for doing that," Corse said.

Corse recently received an award as the Mid-West Region Winner at the ASAAwards Banquet at the Commodity Classic in Nashville, Tenn. He was one of four regional winners of this program. The others were from Indiana, Kansas and North Carolina.

"It's something you apply for," Corse said about the award. "And I was thinking about applying for it for years now. We are very conservation-minded."

The Charleston couple grow soybeans, corn, grain sorghum and wheat. In total, 2,100 acres are under no-till management. They have a Conservation Security Program level III contract for most of those acres and are completing a five-year Environmental Quality Incentive Program contract this year.

CSP is a voluntary conservation program that provides payments for ongoing environmental management on agricultural working lands. Tier III is the highest level of participation.

"Over the years, we've gotten into newer programs," Corse said.

The couple have 21.7 acres of grass filter strips, 170 acres of wetland forest and 16.1 acres of field borders, windbreaks and wildlife enhancement areas. They leave a quarter acre of unharvested crop for every 40 acres to provide winter food and wildlife cover.

But integrated pest management gets their top priority.

"We scout religiously and any pesticides are applied only after prescribed economic thresholds have been passed," said Corse, who is a certified crop adviser.

The Corses grid soil samples every three years. Phosphate and potash is applied only in required amounts where needed and nitrogen is split-applied to reduce runoff or leaching. To protect groundwater, they do not mix, handle or spray pesticides within the prescribed 50-foot distance from wells. They have eliminated their on-farm fuel storage tank and now use only a fuel tank mounted on a trailer.

"Our goal is to minimally affect the environment and show that we can make a difference," Corse said.

In its seventh year, the Conservation Legacy Awards Program is a national program designed to recognize the outstanding environmental and conservation achievements of U.S. soybean farmers. Selection is based on each farmer's environmental and economic program. Judges look for dedication to the land through cropland management practices, farmstead protection and conservation and environmental management.

"It's been going on a for awhile now, and it's a really neat award that we're able to give our farmers and it's for the environment and for themselves," said Kathy Grunz, ASA leadership and corporate development manager.

Applications were scored by a panel of judges that included representatives from the Soil and Water Conservation Society, the National Association of Conservation Districts, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Corn And Soybean Digest, Monsanto, a member of the ASA Conservation Task Force and two 2006 regional winners of this program.

Along with the American Soybean Association, the program is co-sponsored by Monsanto and The Corn And Soybean Digest.

Corse said he's always had an interest in conservation and nature. His father was a biology teacher.

He and his wife will continue to use practices that will benefit the environment, Corse said.

"We can make a difference — a small one, we think — but what's important is that we do make a difference," Corse said.