Longbranch farm receives stewardship award

By Chris Fitzgerald, KP News

When Shane McWilliams was notified in late 2007 that his Longbranch farm had been chosen to receive the Pierce Conservation District “Wildlife Steward Farm of the Year” award, his first reaction was skeptical. In an interview with the KP News, he said, “It caught me entirely by surprise. I thought it was a joke.” He thought someone at Pierce County Planning and Land Services (PALS) was having fun at his expense because “half the people at PALS think I’m a pain in the neck.” (McWilliams brings unsound or potentially illegal environmental practices to their attention).

Shane McWilliams with his dog, Dixie, at his farm. Photo by Chris Fitzgerald

PCD farm planner Erin Ewald, whose office is in Key Center, said the stewardship recognition had not been given for the four previous years. “The award is merit-driven …given only to recipients persevering above and beyond regular (environmental) obligations,” she said.

According to Ewald and McWilliams, weeds from his 12 acres of hayfields are hand-picked, the entire farm is cared for organically; nature meets the effort halfway. “Shane knows his property intimately,” Ewald said. “He knows the animals and plants that rely on his wetlands. He is willing to not only protect wildlife living on his farm, but to restrict his own animals (to preserve the land). Shane is one in a million; I wish he was my neighbor.”

McWilliams simply thinks of his efforts as “being conscientious about what we have.” He is passionate about wetlands preservation. “We need to farm by leaving (a wetland) alone and ensuring everything around it isn’t destroyed. Water is the building block of all life — we cannot replace it when it’s gone,” he said. “I got the award for battling to keep the environment chemical-free and preserve the wetlands, the forest for the birds and few animals that still exist.”

Recently retired after some 40 years in the aerospace industry, McWilliams said the award provides new energy for continued preservation efforts. “I know now there are people who care about this (environmental work),” he said. He wants to help people find organic alternatives in their treatment of the land. “I wouldn’t put chemicals on the land for a million dollars,” he said. “We are surrounded by water. Everything we do, every house and septic system impacts the land, plants, animals, and ultimately the people who live here. We cannot buy the health of the land back once it’s destroyed — common sense must prevail.”

When asked about provision for his beloved land beyond his lifetime, McWilliams replied, “Well, here’s a shocker. I don’t own this farm.” Sixteen years ago when his family moved to the farm, McWilliams decided to “practice what I preach,” regardless of ownership. He acknowledges some folks think he’s “a couple bales short of a ton,” and responds philosophically. “What is ours?” he asks, leaving the question hanging.

Mike and Fran Kent, currently residing in Arizona, bought the farm in 1968, raised a family there, and still own it. Mike Kent recalled the house had trees growing through the roof, as well as rotten porches, no heat, and cold water only via a 50-year-old gravity system up in the woods. The house was renewed and other buildings renovated or added. They fenced and raised livestock, their children involved with 4H. The Kents plowed and planted pastures, maintained a 5-acre woodlot and wetlands in their natural state.

“We are appreciative of having such a great renter,” Kent wrote in an email to the KP News. “Shane is an excellent steward of the land. He takes enormous pride in seeing that sound ecological practices are being followed not only on the farm, but on the Key Peninsula. We wholeheartedly support these efforts, which have paid off in a well-deserved award.”

Ewald said Pierce Conservation District may have more potential stewardship award candidates. She reports an increase in requests in the area she serves, Pierce County west of the Tacoma Narrows. “People have a real interest in implementing farm plans this year,” she said. “More people are willing to give us a chance to come out and help them find workable alternatives, or just take it one step at a time. The PCD is here to help however we can.”