Common sense conservation: How Delaware County farmer Tim Spangler is building a lasting legacy
By Nick Werner
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For Tim Spangler, farming has never been just about the current harvest. It has always been about the long-term health of the land.
His farm, located in Mount Pleasant Township sits at a unique and challenging geographical point: the convergence of Buck Creek and Bell Creek. This natural "bottleneck" means that Spangler’s land is more vulnerable to the whims of nature, especially rain and flooding.
While he usually managed a successful crop, a major flood every four or five years would wash gullies into his slopes and turn his fields into a graveyard for neighbors' corn stalks and "one heck of a mess of trash.” Today, though, his land is no longer a source of frustration. Instead, the farm represents a thriving, managed ecosystem that provides a guaranteed income and a gift for future generations.
Spangler’s transition to working with nature instead of against it offers a blueprint for other farmers looking to improve their operation’s efficiency and environmental footprint.
“We are all stewards of our soil,” he said. “I want to leave my farm in better shape than I found it.”
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Land Management
Spangler didn’t just implement one program; he utilized a suite of conservation tools tailored to his specific needs. His strategy includes filter strips, grass waterways, and a significant tree-planting initiative.
The filter strips were one of his first steps. Placed along the edges of streams and bodies of water, these strips serve a dual purpose. Primarily, they are designed to catch chemical runoff, silt, and fertilizer before they enter the watershed.
Spangler notes that farming right up to the creek was often a losing battle anyway. The reason is that the 70-foot-tall cottonwoods and sycamores nearby have massive root systems that sap nutrients, leading to poor yields in the 100 feet closest to the water.
By electing for a 100-foot wide filter strip—wider than the standard requirement—Spangler ensured he had "room to work and mow and maintain it," effectively turning unproductive ground into a protective barrier for the creek.
“I’ve put filter strips into every property that I’ve farmed, clear back into the 1990s,” he said.
Solving the "Gully Washing" Problem
As Spangler modernized his farm, he encountered an unexpected problem: the removal of old fences.
In the past, fences acted as a series of hurdles that slowed down rushing water. Without them, water from heavy rains gained incredible momentum, tearing through his hillsides and creating ravines that were sometimes "belly button deep".
To combat this "gully washing," Spangler worked with local agencies to install grass waterways.
He went a step further than the minimum requirements, securing approval to upgrade from an 8-inch tile to a 10-inch tile to handle surface water more rapidly.
“There is a peace of mind knowing you aren’t going to be fighting water every year,” Spangler said.
He also incorporated rip-rap (heavy stone) to help contain the force of water flowing off neighboring properties. Today, those deep gullies are gone, replaced by stable, grass-covered channels that handle drainage without sacrificing topsoil.
The 30-Year Investment: Reforestation
Perhaps the most striking change to the Spangler farm is the 15-acre tree planting in the river bottom.
After years of cleaning up flood debris, Spangler decided to take that ground out of corn production entirely. Approximately 16 years ago, he began planting hardwoods, including walnut, white oak, cherry, and poplar.
Unlike a wild forest, Spangler manages this area like a plantation. The trees are planted in clean rows, allowing him to mow between them and maintain a nice stand where you can see from one end to the other. He even hires help to prune the trees and remove volunteer trees like sycamores that offer little value in terms of timber or habitat.
While Spangler admits he won’t see the final harvest in his lifetime—walnut trees often take 40 to 50 years to mature—he views this as an investment for his grandchildren.
The Business of Conservation
For those hesitant about the cost of these projects, Spangler points to the robust support available through the FSA (Farm Service Agency) and NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service). These agencies offered cost-share programs that covered a significant portion of the installation expenses for his waterways and tree plantings.
Beyond the initial setup, the financial benefits are ongoing. Spangler receives guaranteed yearly payments for the land he has taken out of production.
For marginal, flood-prone ground that was once a source of labor and lost inputs, this represents a significant win for the farm's bottom line.
Peace of Mind and Stewardship
Financials aside, Spangler emphasizes the "peace of mind" that comes with conservation.
He no longer spends his days filling in gullies or dragging flood trash across his fields. He has also moved toward no-tilling practices to further reduce soil loss.
Tim Spangler’s message to his fellow farmers is simple: look at what’s available through the federal cost-share programs.
While it may take a few years for the benefits to materialize, the result is a farm that is easier to manage, more profitable on marginal ground, and environmentally responsible.
Whether it's protecting water quality by keeping chemicals on the field or building a timber legacy for the next generation, Spangler proves that what is good for the earth is often what is best for the farmer.
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