Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 09, 2016
Contact: Julie Buchanan, Senior Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-786-2292, julie.buchanan@dcr.virginia.gov
10 Virginia farms recognized for exemplary conservation practices
Photos are available at: https://flic.kr/s/aHskMQ4Q8K
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 Monday during the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts annual meeting in Roanoke.
“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 are improving conditions on their properties and improving conditions for people who live downstream.”
2016 winners
Big Sandy-Upper Tennessee River Basin
Tommy Shrader
Shrader Farms, Russell County
Nominated by the Clinch Valley Soil and Water Conservation District
Chowan River Basin
Chuck Parrish
Parrish Farms, Lunenburg County
Nominated by the Southside Soil and Water Conservation District
Coastal Basin
Richard Davis
Kuzzens Inc. (Lipman Family Farms), Northampton and Accomack counties
Nominated by the Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District
James River Basin
Mark Campbell
Deer Creek Farm, Nelson County
Nominated by the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District
New River Basin
Samuel H. and Joseph Michael Cassell
Cassell Family Farms, Wythe County
Nominated by the Big Walker Soil and Water Conservation District
Potomac River Basin
David and Catherine Rochester
Cool Spring Farm, Loudoun County
Nominated by the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District
Rappahannock River Basin
Jamie Shenk
Beauregard Farms, Culpeper County
Nominated by the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District
Roanoke River Basin
Paige Via and Elizabeth Via Kolinski
Greenview Farm, Patrick County
Nominated by the Patrick Soil and Water Conservation District
Shenandoah River Basin
Linden and Julia Heatwole
Cherry Grove Farm, Rockingham County
Nominated by the Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District
York River Basin
David Fisher
Burnley Farm, Louisa County
Nominated by the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District
For more information about these winners and the Virginia Clean Water Farm Awards, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil-and-water/cwfa-winners
-30-