James Vaughn, his wife, children and sister manage nearly 5,600 acres which are devoted to producing forage crops, providing pastureland for their cattle, and managing timberland for pulp, lumber and energy production. The family-owned farm is committed to protecting the watershed by controlling cattle access to flowing streams, distributing grazing pressure with rotational grazing systems, maintaining hayfields and pastures with proper fertilization and weed control practices, and managing timberland using Best Management Practices. These environmental stewardship practices have made significant improvements to protected stream banks which are now fully vegetated, established clean areas for watering cattle and the full coverage of year-round grasses protect the soil from erosion and the streams from sedimentation. The Vaughns also host a variety of groups to further educate the public about the benefits of agriculture and to explain their sustainable production and environmental practices.

“Over the last 30 years Vaughn Farms has worked with NRCS conservationists to establish grazing systems that protect and enhance the farm’s resources,” said Terrance O. Rudolph, USDA NRCS Georgia state conservationist.