Boyington Pit, which spent several years returning 30 hectares of a former gravel pit to agricultural use re-establishing the area’s soil productivity, has been rewarded for its efforts.
Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (OSSGA) presented the Judges’ Choice Award in Progressive Rehabilitation on-site at The Miller Group’s Boyington Pit in Uxbridge on July 17.
The goal of the rehabilitation was to reclaim the land for agricultural use. Crews spent 309 hours grading, loading and hauling overburden and fine sands to shape the floor. They used 30,000 cubic metres of topsoil and subsoil to shape and cover the slopes and floor area. Next came the planting of corn, soybean and wheat crops with a harvest of the first-and second-year crops. This site truly showcases how aggregate sites can be returned to productive and usable farmland.
“The Judges’ Choice Award celebrates the techniques and approaches within the industry that raise the bar for progressive site rehabilitation,” says Michael McSweeney, OSSGA’s Executive Director. “The Miller Group’s Boyington Pit proves that with responsible land stewardship and well-planned rehabilitation practices it is entirely possible to achieve productive agricultural land post extraction.”
Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton said: “I am very pleased that Miller Paving has been recognized for the excellent work they are doing in our community and for their leadership in rehabilitation. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
The site continues to work with its partners at Highview Holsteins to enhance the soil and increase future yields. This site showcases how aggregate sites can be returned to productive and usable farmland.
The farmer and owner, Carl Evans of Highview Holsteins, has been closely involved in the rehabilitation process and creating productive agricultural land.
“Highview Holsteins has been farming Miller’s lands in the area for over 20 years,” says Carl Evans. “As stewards of the land, our role is to apply our expertise using organic matter, soil organism build up and crop rotations to help get the soil going again. I wish there was more of these types of projects. It is good all around. The end part is the key where the land is returned to agricultural production.”
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