09/05/07 Vim Wright Stewardship Award winner

Washington Ag September 5, 2007 Jeff and Randy Emtman of Emtman Brothers Farm in Valleyford, Washington, near Spokane have been named the 2007 winners of the Vim Wright Stewardship award. The fifth generation 10-thousand acre farm is a direct seed, no-till wheat farm, achieving zero soil loss, 70 percent fuel savings and cost-effective and ecology-minded replacement of equipment. Jim Armstrong of the Spokane County Conservation District says the Emtmans also did some experimenting with biodiesel this year. Armstrong: "With the assistance of the Department of Ecology and ran up to a 100% blend in their brand new combine. And it is not many farmers that are willing to take that kind of chance on a $300,000 combine, but they worked with Case-I-H and had their blessing and support and everyone is anxiously await their tests results and the data that is coming out of it." The first-runner up this year to Emtman's were Erik and Wendy Haakenson of Jubilee Farm in Carnation followed by the Curt Mayberry Farm in Lyndon. Curt Mayberry passed away during the nomination process and his children are continuing the stewardship of the farm The 4th Annual Vim Wright Stewardship Award Dinner is September 9th at Meadowbrook Farm at North Bend. I'm Bob Hoff.