From Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
The Virginia Clean Water Farm Grand Basin Awards are presented each year to farmers or farm owners who are doing exceptional work to protect soil and water resources. One winner is selected from each of Virginia’s 10 major river basins.
The awards are sponsored by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation in partnership with Virginia’s 47 soil and water conservation districts. Awards were presented Dec. 4 during the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts annual meeting in Portsmouth.
“These farms represent the best in conservation farming in Virginia,” DCR Director Clyde Cristman said. “By voluntarily implementing practices, such as stream fencing, cover crops, riparian buffers, nutrient management plans and more, these producers improve their properties and conditions for people downstream.”
2017 winners
Big Sandy-Tennessee River
Matthew Heldreth
Heldreth Farms, Wythe County
Nominated by the Big Walker Soil and Water Conservation District
Chowan River
Robert and Mark Spiers
Spiers Farm LLC and Double Branch LLC, Dinwiddie County
Nominated by the Appomattox River Soil and Water Conservation District
Coastal
Lynn and Sands Gayle
Mount Nebo Farms LLC, Accomack County
Nominated by the Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District
James River
Hugh S. Jones
Richlands Dairy Farm Inc., Nottaway County
Nominated by the Appomattox River Soil and Water Conservation District
New-Yadkin River
George and Julie Hudson
Greenway Dairy Inc., Pulaski County
Nominated by the Skyline Soil and Water Conservation District
Potomac River
Thomas C. Latham
Greenville Farm and Family Campground Inc., Prince William County
Nominated by the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District
Rappahannock River
Daron L. Culbertson
Willingham Farm, Fauquier County
Nominated by the John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District
Roanoke River
Timmy, Devone, Kevin and Davey Ferrell
Ferrell Family Farms, Charlotte County
Nominated by the Southside Soil and Water Conservation District
Shenandoah River
Kate Mahanes and Jim Fleming
Indigo Hills Ranch LLC, Augusta County
Nominated by the Headwaters Soil and Water Conservation District
York River
Joseph R. Brame III
Jordan Farm (Orange) LLC, Orange County
Nominated by the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District
