Nine Virginia farms, including one in Grayson County, have received special recognition as grand winners of the 2023 Clean Water Farm Awards for demonstrating exceptional commitment to practices that protect the soil and water. The awards recognize farmers or farm owners doing exceptional work to protect soil and water resources. One winner is selected from each of Virginia’s major river basins.
“We celebrate and appreciate these award recipients, who are truly dedicated to sustainable farming and serve as role models for others across the commonwealth,” said Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Travis Voyles. “Their commitment to improve the health of Virginia’s river basins by implementing best management practices is inspiring, and future generations will benefit from their stewardship of the land and natural resources.”
In partnership with Virginia’s 47 soil and water conservation districts, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation sponsors the Grand Basin Clean Water Farm Awards each year. Individual soil and water conservation districts select local Clean Water Farm Award winners in the state. Awards were presented Dec. 4 during the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts annual meeting in Norfolk.
The winning farm owners, producers or operators employ technologies and best management practices that improve water quality. Efforts include keeping livestock out of streams and rivers, planting cover crops, instituting rotational grazing and adding vegetative buffers along waterways.
“These Grand Basin award winners, representing all regions of the Commonwealth of Virginia, are on the forefront of agricultural practices that protect one of our most precious resources: water quality,” said DCR Director Matt Wells.
Virginia’s soil and water conservation districts offer farmers technical assistance and advice on new echnologies and practices to help them stay on the cutting edge of conservation farming.
“District staff and the farmers they work with are dedicated to continually improving practices that enrich our natural resources,” said Dr. Kendall Tyree, executive director of VASWCD. “We are proud of our partnerships with these farms, many dating back decades, and appreciate the opportunity to assist the agricultural community while expanding these mutually beneficial partnerships that enhance our land and waters.”
Summerfield Pastoral Farm in Grayson, owned by John Fant, was named the New-Yadkin River 2023 Grand Basin Clean Water Farm Award recipient. The farm was nominated by the New River Soil and Water Conservation District.
Summerfield is a Virginia Century Farm made up of more than 1,850 acres of pasture, cropland and forest land. Around 800 of the farm’s acres are protected by a conservation easement through the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.
Co-owner and operator Col. John Fan implemented a rotational grazing program to rest his pastures and to extend the grazing season for his cow/calf and sheep/lamb opaeration. He raises grass-fed and –finished calves and lamb and has introduced heritage breeds of cattle and sheep as part of a genetics improvement program.
100 percent of the farm’s streams and wetlands are excluded from livestock. Paddocks, water systems and rotational grazing areas have improved soil health, created erosion prevention and contributed to overall livestock health. Fan is awaiting word on a cost-share and technical assistance to address agricultural waste storage needs at the lambing barn.
In the Big Sandy/Upper Tennessee River, Greg Meade of Lazy M Farm in Tazewell County and nominated by the Tazewell Soil and Water Conservation District, was the award recipient.
