Conservation Awards

The 2009 Piedmont SWCD Conservation awards were presented at the Amelia Farm Bureau Banquet in October.  Named Conservation Farmer of the Year was Jack E. Bulls, who  recently completed installation of 4,407 feet of stream seclusion fencing, and planted 4.8 acres of streamside, hardwood buffers. His cattle now drink at a clean, reliable alternative watering system fed by wells, and the streamside buffers contribute to improved water quality by filtering nutrient and sediment from any stormwater runoff.

Receiving the Young Conservation Farmer award was Tony Reames, who was cited for contributing to clean water by fencing Reamford Farm cattle out of 2.4 miles of stream and planting 5.7 acres of streamside forested buffer. Reames partnered with the Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District, Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service to assist him in his conservation efforts, making it possible for him to also install an alternative watering system for his beef cattle and cross fencing in his pastures to minimize erosion.

Awarded the 2009 Bay Friendly Clean Water Farm award was David E. Smith.  Mr. Smith manages over 200 beef cattle on approximately 400 acres of pasture and hay land between 3 farms in Amelia County.  Livestock are excluded from surface water on all three farms, enhancing herd health and protecting precious water resources.  Due to continual rotational grazing, the quality and quantity of forage in his pasture is greatly improved.  The managed pastureland has minimized erosion and improved water quality on his farm in the Deep Creek Watershed, which is a TMDL bacteria impaired watershed.