Glenville Hollow Farms, a family-owned agricultural business in Bridgeville, has been awarded the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award. The recognition was announced during the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission Meeting on Tuesday. Owned by Steven and Cynthia Yingling since its inception in 1980, Glenville Hollow Farms manages approximately 2,000 acres of grain and vegetable crops across Delaware and Pennsylvania.
The farm’s operations focus on serving consumers through tailgate markets primarily in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Cindy Yingling emphasizes consumer preferences in her management of fresh market vegetables. She employs intensive hand management of weeds to reduce pesticide and herbicide use. The farm also utilizes cover crops, efficient water use, and biological control measures to maintain environmental balance.
Steven Yingling highlighted their long-standing practices: “Since the beginning of the farm operation annual soil testing has been performed for accurate fertilization,” he said. “Cover crops are planted annually on open fields for soil conservation and nutrient replenishment. Biological control measures are used whenever possible to maintain a natural balance in the environment.”
The award is part of an initiative by the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission (DNMC), which includes various stakeholders such as grain producers and poultry companies. It aims to recognize those who prioritize environmental stewardship.
Brooke Walls, Nutrient Management Program Administrator, praised the state’s farmers: “Delaware farmers, representing both large and small operations, care about their land and take pride in their efforts to protect soil and water quality,” she said.
This year’s award category focused on vegetable row crops. Glenville Hollow was chosen from four finalists by a panel of industry professionals. Other finalists included Fifer Orchards from Wyoming, Ramsey Farm near Wilmington, and Woodenhawk Farms in Greenwood.
Fifer Orchards operates as a fourth-generation Delaware Century Farm with a focus on wholesale markets for fruits and vegetables. They implement best management practices like crop rotation with minimal fallow periods.
Ramsey Farm specializes in hay production and agritourism while implementing conservation-focused practices due to its location on national park land.
Woodenhawk Farms grows diverse vegetable crops for processing and fresh markets while employing no-till practices and precision nutrient application.
Each finalist received a recognition plaque, an Environmental Stewardship Award lane sign, along with a $500 prize.
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