Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 13, 2018
Contact: Julie Buchanan, Senior Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-786-2292, julie.buchanan@dcr.virginia.gov
10 Virginia farms awarded for efforts to improve water quality
RICHMOND — 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 last week 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. “These producers are enhancing their operations and improving conditions for people who live downstream by voluntarily implementing practices such as stream fencing, cover crops, riparian buffers, nutrient management plans and more.”
For a description of each farm, download the awards program at www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil-and-water/cwfa-winners.
Big Sandy and Tennessee Rivers
Seth and Courtney Umbarger
Laurel Springs Farm, Smyth County
Nominated by the Evergreen Soil and Water Conservation District
Chowan River
Richard T. Hite Jr.
Hite Farming LLC, Lunenburg County
Nominated by the Southside Soil and Water Conservation District
Coastal
David L. Long
Long Grain and Livestock, Northampton County
Nominated by the Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District
James River
Mike and Ashley McMahon
Magnolia Farm, Albemarle County
Nominated by the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District
New-Yadkin River
Sharitz Family
Sharitz Dairy Farm, Wythe County
Nominated by the Big Walker Soil and Water Conservation District
Potomac River
Jay and Sonja Yankey
Yankey Farms, Prince William County
Nominated by the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District
Rappahannock River
William M. and Mary S.T. Alphin Family Limited Partnership
Rillhurst Farm, Prince William County (farm located in Culpeper County)
Nominated by the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District
Roanoke River
The Thurman and Furrow Families
Lazy Acres Angus, Franklin County
Nominated by the Blue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation District
Shenandoah River
The Shifflett Family
Purple Cow Road Farms, Augusta County
Nominated by the Headwaters Soil and Water Conservation District
York River
Higginbotham and Gibson Family Farms, Orange County
Nominated by the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District
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