Another way the Stalnakers help themselves
while helping wildlife is by mowing from the
middle of their fields toward the outside. Their
NRCS agent made this suggestion as well, as a
way to scare the deer and other animals out of
the field so they do not get trapped and run over
by the tractor.
These suggestions have helped the
Stalnakers run a more efficient, sustainable
farm in their later years, and have made farming
for more years to come a greater possibility.
When asked if he would participate in more
NRCS programs, Stalnaker said, “I’m game for
anything. I’ll try anything once.”
Photos: Page 24: A view of Stalnaker’s fence
line with an array of reflectors attached. This
page, right: Sign denotes Stalnaker Farm’s
recognition as a Conservation Farm in 2015.
Below, a close-up of the reflectors NRCS
recommended to Stalnaker.
26 West Virginia Farm Bureau News