CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Gruber Farms was recently presented an Agricultural Conservation Award at Clarion Conservation District’s annual luncheon banquet.
(Photo left to right: J.P. Gruber, John Gruber, and Rep. Donna Oberlander)
John, Deb, and J.P. Gruber, of Gruber Farms near Shippenville, received the Farm of the Year Award for Agricultural Conservation.
Rep. Donna Oberlander was also in attendance and presented them with a House Citation in addition to the sign presented by the Conservation District.
Gruber Farms is an eighth-generation farm, though they’ve only been operating their current meat business for five years.
According to John Gruber, “We got into this business because we felt there was a need for people to have an option to buy good, healthy, wholesome food. We’re very conscious about how we raise our stock and how we use our soil. That’s why we got the award, our concern for our soil and our ground. We don’t just use the soil, we keep trying to make it better. My grandfather always said, ‘you have to take care of land if you want it to take care of you,’ and that’s what we try to do.”
He also noted that though some farm practice similar types of soil conservation, many of them do so at the prompting of government agencies, in order to fulfill the requirements of farm subsidies.
“We are using good conservation practices without being prompted by the government. We don’t get any government payments or subsidies. We do it because we can see what it does for the ground. We can see results. It makes better meat and it makes the soil better,” he said.
The Gruber family has a store at their farm, located three miles west of Shippenville. They offer pasture raised pork, chicken, turkeys, and eggs, as well as 100% grass-fed lamb. Their regular hours of operation are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Gruber’s also welcome visitors who would like to see their operation.
“We have a farm store and we’re always open for visitation. Anytime anyone wants to come see what we’re doing, they’re welcome to stop out. If we’re home, we’re open. We encourage that because people need to understand that what we do is better than the conventional way to raise meat,” John said.
Clarion Conservation District also made two other presentations at the banquet: Hillwood Farm was presented an award for Forestry Stewardship and Promotion of Woodland Conservation Management, and Beaver Township was recognized for participating in the Dirt and Gravel Road Program.