During the early morning on a rainy Oct 3, 2009, the previously established Epps hay field was plowed under without our consent by local 'hobby' farmer Harold Sandelin who wanted unauthorized access to our fields and acted to intimidate Charles & Phyllis who were in their 80's and largely incapacitated.
We've worked hard to restore our field to minimize any damage associated with erosion, unwanted vegetation, etc before winter and the spring thaw. Additionally, the reckless plowing required we take multiple actions to remediate that included addressing unplowed sections and filling in 2 ft deep swales which often ran in opposing directions and in many cases perpendicular to the natural contours of the land which further exacerbated erosion.
Photo: Oct 2009; Vandalized hay field
Corrective Actions:
Step 1 - DONE:
· Reestablished the natural drainage swale in center of the field, and recovered from malicious plowing which flattened the depression and reduced the natural drainage. This activity was not undertaken during the 2005 plowing.
Photo: Restoration of swale for natural drainage
(Thanks to Mark Ponziani)
Step 2: - DONE
· Mitigated further damage caused by plowing due to erosion, and restored contour of land by rototilling, harrowing, and dragging field to safe and smooth state.
· Reseeded with winter grasses to hold soils in place and restore ground cover until Spring.
Photo: Harrowing partially turned over sod; unplowed grass sections and deeper swales will be rototilled
(Thanks to Jim Cornish)
Step 3 - Ongoing:
Ongoing work continues to complete restoration and enhance the property, including replacement of the roadside maple trees destroyed by Sandelin which were originally established as a family memorial along the roadway in 2004.