PHOTOS PROVIDED
Commissioner Steven Dershem presents an award to members of the Rossman Family Farm.

BELLEFONTE — The Centre County Conservation District presented the 2023 Outstanding Conservation Farm Award to the Rossman Family Farm at the annual Farm City banquet held at the New Hope Lutheran Church on Nov. 2.

The Rossman Family owns and operates approximately 70 acres in the Dix Run Watershed in Union Township. The Rossman farm is primarily a mixed species rotational grazing operation. The family works hard at keeping harmony, not only protecting the natural resources on the property, but enhancing and sustaining populations of threatened and endangered species. Working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Rossman family addressed the eroding streambanks of Dix Run with structures to stabilize the banks while also improving fish and wildlife habitat in the forested stream buffer.

The family is working with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Centre County Conservation District to install pasture fencing, off-stream livestock watering system, stabilized animal walkways and a stabilized stream crossing across Dix Run. They are continuously working to improve soil health and water infiltration, while managing multi-species grazing nutritional needs and animal health concerns.

The Rossman’s started “Crazy Days Homestead” — a YouTube channel about all the craziness of modern-day homesteading. The Rossman family started this channel to show people their trials and successes. They discuss everything from gardening, raising livestock, forestry, food preservation, composting and many others, with the hope that it will help others.