Frosty Springs Farm

Frosty Springs Farm

A Lifetime of Dedication to Agriculture

by Stephanie Lampe

Located just outside of Waynesburg is the beautiful Frosty Springs Farm, a cattle farm owned and operated by Jim and Billie Cowell. Jim was recently honored by the Pennsylvania State Council of Farm Organizations (PSCFO) when they presented him with the first ever Dedication to Agriculture Award. He received the award, along with recognition from State Representative Pam Snyder and Senator Camera Bartolotta, on February 5, 2019, in Harrisburg at the PSCFO’s annual meeting. Jim was chosen for this honor for his farming and his conservation efforts. The Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association nominated him for the honor. “What put me ahead is that all of my efforts are voluntary. Everything I do is voluntary while the others are paid to do it,” says Jim, referring to the fact that some farms are paid to put in conservation facilities. He went through the application process, crossed all the t’s and dotted all the i’s, and follows all guidelines.

Back in 1963, Jim Cowell’s parents purchased the farm where he grew up. He, in turn, bought it from his parents in 1978. “I have lived in the same place all my life,” he says. He ran his farm pretty well up until the late 1990’s. “That’s when a drought hit,” he says, “so I applied for emergency funding for a water system.” During this process, he found out about grants for conservation. The Cowells decided to apply for the mini-grants, which were cost shared by the Greene County Conversation District (GCCD), the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Pennsylvania REAP Program. He was awarded the grants and that’s when things began to transform at Frosty Springs Farm.

Four heavy feeding facilities were built, and the streams running through the property were fenced off. Each facility includes a loafing area and feeding area. The cattle are kept inside the facilities from late fall to mid spring. “We bring them in on Thanksgiving and look to turn them out on April 15th,” Jim says. The facilities have concrete floors covered with bedding. The cattle are fed hay and minerals throughout their stay in the facilities. “It’s definitely more work in the winter, “Jim says. “Our weekends are spent cleaning out each facility. We store the manure for use in the spring. Then we re-bed each one.” Upkeep is done during the week to maintain a clean and comfortable area for the cattle. “Our animals are spoiled,” says Billie Cowell with a smile. In fact, all their animals, including the donkeys, have a comfortable shelter.

A little fun fact: “Most people feel sorry for animals they see with snow on their backs, but it’s not them that they should worry about. Snow on an animal’s back proves that they have enough body fat to keep warm,” Jim explains. “No warmth is escaping the body to melt the snow.“

There are many benefits to using the facilities. The biggest benefit is that it saves pastureland. “They are really helpful especially with the amount of rain we have had,” Jim explains. The soft, wet ground is not travelled by the cattle, leaving nothing but a muddy mess left. The facilities, used along with rotational grazing, have contributed to the farm becoming more profitable. The facilities also keep the cattle safe from weather and predators, especially coyotes. “Right now is calving season. We have a neighbor who lost a calf to a coyote,” Jim states. Another benefit of having the facilities is that the Cowells don’t have to search for the pregnant cattle. They give birth in the facility. “Mom and baby are placed in a separate pen for two days so they can bond,” Jim adds. In addition, all bulls are kept together in a separate facility away from the heifers.

To receive the grants, the farm must meet certain guidelines and requirements. There must be both a written Conservation Plan and a Nutrient Management Plan. Those that receive grants must be open to inspections at any time. For the first ten years, the feeding facilities must only be used for feeding and housing and cannot be used for storage, etc... It may seem like a lot of steps, but Jim believes it is well worth the work.

Jim and Billie Cowell operate Frosty Springs Farm independently. Their children have grown and moved on, but they show no signs of slowing down. “We make a pretty good team,” Jim Cowell shares, “She puts up with a lot.” In addition to their successful farm, they sell a large amount of freezer beef - their niche – and their farm is host to some of Waynesburg University’s environmental classes. Each semester, three classes from WU visit Frosty Springs Farm. “Probably my greatest joy is working with the University” Jim enthuses. The farm is also visited by the FFA chapters at West Greene High School and Waynesburg High School. The Cowells will set up pens and the students practice judging animals for competitions. “Our farm is open to anyone who wants to see what we do,” he adds.

Jim, who also received a clean water award for the state of Pennsylvania, is a very busy man. In addition to operating the farm and hosting classes, he is a chairman for the Greene County Conservation District, President of the Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association, Vice President of the Greene County Farm Bureau, and is on the Executive Board for Southwest Project Grass. However, he always makes time to promote agriculture and conservation. “Right now, we have the least amount of farmers feeding the most people,” Jim states. “We have to promote agriculture to the younger generation. Not only does it teach work ethic and responsibility, but we farmers feed the country.”