Partnering for Conservation and Good Stewardship

When National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Conservationist Dan Mull assisted High Point Farm in Sussex County with conservation planning, he fulfilled the mission of the NRCS “to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment”. Fountain House, the owner of the 477-acre property where High Point Farm is located, maintains the farm as an integral part of their program, “helping people with mental illness everywhere achieve their potential and be respected as co-workers, neighbors and friends.” The property is “both a working farm that Fountain House members share in operating, and a natural resource which they take part in conserving …a unique and integral part of the Fountain House program.”

The property was largely overgrown and in disuse when Charles Saggese became farm manager at High Point Farm in 1995. By 1998, the Fountain House manager and members who live and work at High Point Farm had initiated contact with NRCS to begin developing conservation and resource management plans for the property. Mr. Saggese said at that time, “On the farm we try to work with USDA to plan and implement practices that are appropriate for our livestock and for the site. As we are not farmers by trade, so we rely on and follow NRCS recommendations for the care of our land.”

The farm was soon transformed from a few pigs, sheep, and about 100 chickens to one which included a breeding herd of 24 alpacas, 3 llamas, 24 chickens, an orchard, and two acres of an organic vegetable garden. Crops grown at the farm are used to supply vegetables for those residing at the farm. NRCS also worked with Fountain House employee, Cate Roberts, a licensed horticultural therapist to enhance fruit and vegetable production. Horticulture, nature, and plant-related activities are effective therapy for people with special needs. The farm also has a Forest Stewardship Management Plan on over 400 acres of woodland.

Federal and state cost share programs which are available to private landowners have been utilized to help fund many of the improvements at Fountain House's High Point Farm.

NRCS provided technical assistance while the New Jersey Department of Agriculture provided financial assistance through the 8-Year Farmland Preservation Program for a waste management system to collect manure from the livestock operation. The structure was completed in 1998. Rotational grazing and nutrient management practices were implemented that year to improve pasture quality. Ten acres of the property are in pasture and plans have been made to develop more pastures.

A second 8-Year Farmland Preservation contract between December 2001 and July 2002 provided for the design and installation of a livestock watering facility to supply water to the pastures. In addition, this contract is supporting the planting of fifteen acres of forest tree plantings. In 1999 Fountain House received Forestry Incentive Program (FIP) assistance to plant trees on five acres of forested land.

Through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), Fountain House also received funding and technical assistance for brush management to remove multi-flora rose on 2.5 acres of pasture (1999).

Fountain House's High Point Farm continues to make strides to improve life for its members, their community, and the environment.