Don and Marie Ruzicka
Category: Individual Commitment
Project: Sunrise Farm Diversity Biodiversity and Stewardship
Contact Information
Contact Name: Don Ruzicka
Email Address: ruzickadon@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.sunrisefarm.ca
The Recipient
In 1996, farmers Don & Marie Ruzicka realized that their intensive grain and beef farming practices were degrading their land and waterways. In an effort to improve the health of their farm, they took the initiative to remediate the wetlands, grasslands, riparian areas and tree population, and adopted a more holistic approach to farming. As a result of their efforts, the Ruzickas managed to increase the biodiversity of flora and fauna species on their land and maintain a clean water source.
While practicing sustainable farming methods has a multitude of benefits for the environment, the economic benefits unfortunately are not always as readily attainable. In order to make their farm economically sustainable, the Ruzickas had to build relationships with their customers, and educate them on the increased costs of production (and therefore the higher prices of products), as well as the benefits of practicing environmental stewardship in livestock production.
