Congratulations to the Sidden Family, the 2007 State of NC Farm Family!
Their hard work in the areas of Farming and Conservation are to be commended!
The Siddens were honored as the State Winners at the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Meeting. The meeting was held at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC.
     
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Alan and Pat with Mike Pardue
Conservation Farm
Family of the Year
The Dwayne & Alan Sidden family is the Conservation Farm Family winner for Wilkes County and North Carolina.
The Siddens’ operation consists of 81 acres of pasture/hay land with 50 head of cattle and 70 acres of woodland, totaling
151 acres. 122,500 broilers are grown in the family’s 5 chicken houses. The family farm has been in existence since the
early 1900’s.
Conservation Techniques
The Siddens continue to update conservation on their farm. Conservation plans with the Wilkes Soil and Water
Conservation District have been utilized on the farm since 1994.
Conservation practices on their farm include 81 acres of rotational grazing that includes a nutrient management and
integrated pest management plans. Additionally, 4,900 feet of fencing adjacent to the stream provides for shading of the
area and is beneficial for aquatic life. These areas also provide for travel corridors essential to wildlife movement. An
integral part of the pasture system is the cattle watering facilities, strategically placed to promote more uniform grazing and
meet the daily water requirement of livestock. 485 feet of stock trail allow controlled access to pastures in the grazing
system including access across the stream via a crossing.
A major component of the Sidden farm is the large poultry operation. The 122,500 broilers grown on the farm present
their own unique challenges. A forced air composter (below) is the newest component of the system used to manage the
waste and mortality generated on the farm. Additionally a nutrient management plan prepared for the operation guides
them in fertilizing the hay land and pastures as well as crop fields rented on nearby farms. The addition of a drystack litter
structure assists in the proper timing and application of theses valuable nutrients.
The 70 acres of woodland is harvested by selective cut method, reducing negative impacts on the land and allowing
sunshine to penetrate the forested area promoting the establishment of browse. The Siddens have a Forestry Service
approved plan which outlines their conservation of forest land. Timber Stand Improvements are made with guidance from
the plan. The techniques not only preserve the quality of the land, but also the beauty. Naturally, the mixed hardwood forest
land invites a variety of wildlife which is frequently seen on the Sidden Farm.
The farm has just over two acres of wetland. Like forest land, wetlands help protect the quality of the land, as well as
providing a home for wildlife. The combination of forest and wetland help maintain a healthy ecosystem on the Sidden
Farm and surrounding areas.
Thanks go to the Sidden Family, who have devoted many hours of hard work. Their work demonstrates their concerns for the environment, their neighbors, and the land upon which we live.