Longview Farm is Conservation Pioneer in Coweta County

(above from left)  District Conservationist Kevin Keel and David Brown examines new fence with landowner David Brownfield Longview cattle farm in Coweta County, Georgia

Longview Farm owner David Brown is a conservation pioneer in the Senoia community of Coweta County.  Brown’s property contains over 400 acres, mainly consisting of hayland, pastureland, and cattle.  A conservation goal of Brown’s was improve water quality to benefit fish and wildlife resources in the watershed and improve habitat conditions for several federally listed threatened and endangered mussels found in Coweta County.  “I consider the wildlife on my farm to be a great value,” said Brown.

Brown and his wife Rita purchased the Longview Farm in 1991.  The farm was badly eroded due to improper timber management.  A retired NRCS district conservationist, Brown sought funding through the Fish and Wildlife Partners Program and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program.

The project involved the installation of nearly one mile of fence to keep Brown’s 125 cows out of streams and a lake on the farm.  In addition to the fencing, controlled access watering ramps were installed to allow the cattle to continue to utilize water from the streams and lake while protecting these waters from further degradation.  A 35-foot riparian buffer of natural regeneration and native vegetation was restored along each side of the Little White Oak Creek and associated wetland areas.

Within a year, Brown had almost half of the acreage cleared, fenced, and planted to prevent further erosion. Brown continues to thin timber on the farm every five years.  Longview Farm has been toured by conservation officials and other farmers in the area who are seeking to incorporate similar practices on their farms.

A farmer for 60 years, Brown credits his conservation knowledge gained over many years for giving him the ability to recognize the potential benefits for this project.  “My greatest accomplishment has been to establish a self supporting farm from over 400 acres of cut-over timberland,” said Brown.  Brown credits NRCS, the Georgia Soil and Water Commission, West Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Georgia Forestry Commission for helping complete this project.
Your contact is Mary Ann McQuinn, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 706-546-2069.