Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR RELEASE
Date: January 14, 2003
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10 farmers honored by state for improving water quality
(RICHMOND) - The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has selected 10 farmers to receive its annual "Basin Grand Winner" recognition for the Clean Water Farm / Bay Friendly Farm Award Program. This is the 16th year for the awards.
Geographically the winners represent the state's major river basins and are chosen by experts from DCR, the state's 47 soil and water conservation districts and other agricultural organizations. The criteria by which they are judged begins with their implementation of a nutrient management plan to ensure that fertilizers and farm chemicals are used appropriately to reduce runoff pollution to nearby waterways.
This year's winners are: Coffey Partnership (Augusta County); E. Allen Newberry - Flatrock Farm (Bland County); Stanley, David and John Hula - Renwood Farms, (Charles City County); Louis Clay - Butterwood Farm (Dinwiddie County); James Newcomb - Liberty Springs Farm (Hanover County); Stanley Lickey Jr. - Delta Farm (Loudoun County); Samuel Wohlstadter - Duck Farm Inc. (Madison County); Ad and Butch Nottingham (Northampton County); Robert Mills Jr. - Briar View Farm (Pittsylvania County); and Helen Johnson - Highland Dairy (Washington County).
"The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is proud to recognize these farm operators' efforts to improve water quality," said Joseph H. Maroon, DCR director. "Their actions, and those of many other farmers, deserve to be commended."
The winners' outstanding farm management and conservation techniques directly improve water quality, both in their communities and throughout the surrounding watershed.
Most of these agricultural producers take part in the state's best management practices (BMP) cost-share program. DCR and Virginia's soil and water conservation districts run the program; DCR pays farmers for using conservation measures that prevent soil erosion, and manage fertilizers, chemicals and animal wastes to control nutrients that impact water quality. At the same time, many of these measures improve farm efficiency.
For information about the Clean Water Farm / Bay Friendly Farm Awards, nutrient management or other conservation programs, contact DCR at (804) 786-.
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Editors' note: Farm-specific narrative and photos available from
Lois delBueno at (804) 786-7961 or ldelbueno@dcr.virginia.gov.
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