Seneca Conservation District to unveil Proving Ground Farm

Proving Ground Farm is the new name Seneca Conservation District has chosen for its demonstration farm and recreation area on TR 138 outside of Republic. Half the new farm — which has been known as Miller Conservation Farm — is joining with the farm next door purchased four years ago to become one farm focused on research and demonstrating agricultural practices as well as continuing its role as a recreation area. The district's board of supervisors and staff are inviting the public to an open house 3-5 p.m. Tuesday. A ribbon cutting is planned at 4:15 p.m. in cooperation with Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Services, followed by light refreshments. "We're paving new pathways for the property as a whole and the two properties together," said SCD's Program Director Mandy Brause. "Proving Ground Farm is a demonstration and educational place where farmers, homeowners and students are welcome to explore new ways of sustaining and conserving natural resources," said a news release announcing the open house. "It is a place to see and share ideas before adopting them at home or on your farm. Curiously and aggressively improving water, soil and human food health for the future generations of Seneca County is the main goal of Proving Ground Farm." The public is welcome to explore during the open house, which also is a celebration for the board and staff, who have spent a lot of time planning the new farm. "Anybody is welcome to come out," Brause said. "We're going to have the wagon ready for tours around the farm so people can see the layout and see what's there and learn a little more about it from us." She said harvest demonstrations are planned and people can explore the hiking trails. A new section of hiking trails is being added to the longtime trails in the Miller Farm portion of Proving Grounds. "The trail system will wander through all the acres then," she said. New signage will point the way. Brause said the new section will have more of an agronomy focus and the old section will have of a recreational focus, "at least for now." Brause said SCD hired Shift-ology Communication, of Springfield, the same firm the district used to rebrand itself a few years ago. "We hired the branding firm to rebrand Miller Farm and kind of cohesively join the two properties together as one location," she said. The name was chosen during a creative process led by focus groups to generate and test ideas. The firm then met with the staff and did some brainstorming as a group. "They got to know us a little bit and what our dreams and visions were," Brause said. "We did a lot of wordsmithing. "Proving Ground is where we want to go now and in the future," she said. "It comes right down to the soil itself. Keeping the healthy soil so we can grow healthy food for our future." Plans include testing soil management methods that are better for farmer profitability as well as better for the environment. "It's also a place for families and pets and whoever wants to enjoy the property," she said. There's plenty of space for picnics, hiking and fishing. Signage is to be added so people can explore various aspects of the farm. In addition to farm programs and individual recreation, the farm and nature area is to host programs for school-aged students during field trips, scientists and researchers during short- and long-term experiments, by home and property owners during workshops and by families during special events. "New partners, projects and questions to prove are always being sought by the board and staff," the release said. Since 1949, the district has cooperated with the Seneca County commissioners and state partners to voluntarily help farms, homes and schools be stewards of land and water. "We want Seneca County to be a place where good choices make a great place to farm, work, live, play and grow a family," the release said. "By unveiling this property and demonstrating new and unproven strategies, we want to ensure another generation of smart and strong and profitable stewards." The open house takes place outside, so dress for the weather. In the case of rain or other bad weather, the event is to rescheduled for Nov. 17. For more information, call (419) 447-7073 or visit www.conservesenecacounty.com.