自然保护与休闲部保护·守护·共享
自然保护与休闲部
Due to the expected impact of the winter storm, all Virginia State Park overnight facilities will be closed from Friday, Jan. 23 through Tuesday, Jan. 27. This decision is based on the forecast for unsafe conditions and potential power outages. For updates click here.
The annual Virginia Clean Water Farm Awards recognize farmers who implement conservation practices and do their part to preserve water quality. The program is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation in partnership with Virginia’s 47 Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Grand Basin winners represent the most exceptional of these awardees. One Grand Basin winner is selected from each major river drainage basin that received nominations. The winners’ conservation practices and dedication to protecting natural resources make them role models for producers across the state.
非常感谢地区工作人员，他们让2025清洁水农场奖的评选又取得了辉煌的成就。
Big Sandy - Tennessee River Basin
Kristy and Jacob Waller, Waller Dairy
Nominated by Evergreen Soil and Water Conservation District
In the mountainous terrain of Southwest Virginia, Waller Dairy, owned by Kristy and Jacob Waller, is the last dairy operation in Smyth County. Waller Dairy faced an uphill battle to find a reliable water source for their herd on the farm before they began working with conservation agencies, as cattle continuously grazed pastures and water in nearby streams that often ran low or went dry. The Wallers developed a conservation plan that would help address soil health and water quality concerns, with rotational grazing offering the answer to most of these problems. By installing interior and exclusion fencing, they created multiple paddocks on 150 acres, and livestock have been excluded from 140 acres of woodland to create wildlife habits. A livestock watering system, consisting of a well that feeds six strategically placed water troughs, now offers an easily accessible way for the cattle to quench their thirst by eliminating excessive travel while facilitating weight gain. Waller Dairy is further addressing water quality issues by practicing no-till drilling around the stream on the property and completing a nutrient management plan. Waller Dairy took all steps possible to protect water quality in their operation with resources available from the local conservation agencies.
Chowan
Mitchell “Delk” Batten, Batten Farms
Nominated by Peanut Soil and Water Conservation District
Mitchell “Delk” Batten, owner of Batten Farms in Isle of Wight, has been a key steward of land when it comes to conservation and is always eager to learn new ways to reduce soil erosion and enhance water quality. In addition to rotating corn, cotton and soybean crops on over 1,000 acres, he also has a prescribed grazing plan for 43 head of cattle and rotates them every four to seven days in the summer. He uses conservation tillage methods such as strip tilling his corn and no-tilling his soybeans, uses methods such as 2x2 when applying fertilizer and implements a nutrient management plan every year. After harvesting crops in the fall, Mr. Batten broadcasts his cover crop on all his land to help hold nutrients, prevent soil erosion and make sure the ground is covered during the winter months. Mr. Batten has implemented an alternative watering system and excluded livestock from nearly 6,000 feet of streambanks on his property. Mr. Batten works and cares for the land and exemplifies what it means to be a well-rounded conservationist.
Coastal
Tommy Davis, Davis Farms
Nominated by Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District
Tommy Davis was raised on Davis Farms near New Church in Accomack County and is a fifth-generation farmer. Mr. Davis grows wheat, soybeans and corn across 1,500 acres rotated with a variety of cover crops. He practices no-till farming exclusively with minimal turbo till use. A special chopper header has been added to the operation to maximize residue cover on the fields. Cover crops of vetch, barley and winter wheat are planted to reduce erosion and nitrogen leaching as well as provide a residue base for the next field crop. In addition to planting cover crops, Mr. Davis maintains 25-foot buffers around field edges with streams or sensitive areas. Clover is planted to help reduce crop loss and to support local wildlife. Mr. Davis maintains a current nutrient management plan with his district and participates in the cover crop program under the Whole Farm Approach. Mr. Davis’ resilience in returning to farming and rebuilding a successful farming operation, along with his use of modern conservation farming techniques, reflects his exceptional character.
James River
Todd Anderson
Nominated by Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District
Todd Anderson and his family have implemented a variety of conservation practices on their farms over the past 20 years, greatly improving water quality, soil health, wildlife habitat and pasture productivity. Mr. Anderson grazes a total of 80 cow/calf pairs, 15 heifers and five bulls through an intensive rotational grazing system to maximize grazing efficiency and productivity on six farms totaling 290 acres. He has created a total of 36 permanent paddocks on his farms and installed 24 frost-free water troughs. This rotational system has increased grass productivity and has enabled Mr. Anderson to build resiliency with surplus forages throughout the year. By utilizing both permanent infrastructure and portable fencing, Mr. Anderson is able to move the herd through the grazing system to new grass every few days with a typical grazing rotation allowing for a minimum of 30 days of rest for each paddock. Farms that he actively manage currently have a combined 35,000 feet of streambank protected with over 141 acres of riparian buffer protected. Mr. Anderson’s ongoing work maintaining the health and productivity of his farm along with the James River exemplifies the tenets of the James River Grand Basin Award.
New-Yadkin River
Edwards Family, Edwards Farm
Nominated by New River Soil and Water Conservation District
The Edwards Farm, spanning over 2,000 acres, has been cultivated by five generations of the Edwards family since the 1800s. For over 25 years, the Edwards family has actively collaborated with their local Natural Resource Conservation Service and district offices to install best management practices on all their farmland in Carroll County. They recently installed BMPs that not only protect their farm’s natural resources, but also the headwaters of sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Department of Wildlife Resource’s Stewarts Creek Wildlife Management Area. The farm consists of 165 acres of hayland, 1,400 acres of forestland, 165 acres of cool season grass mixed forages and 25 acres of no-till silage corn. They have approximately 240 cow/calf beef cattle. The pasture fields are managed by NRCS and district Grazing Management Plans. Livestock exclusion fence has been installed to protect 51,000 feet of streambank. Two hundred thirty-five acres of wooded buffer have been installed to protect buffers along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Many of those streams include small native trout. The farm remains a vital livelihood and family legacy, upheld by three generations of current family members committed to preserving their agricultural heritage and traditions.
Potomac River
Clarence and Margaret Gill, Clear View Farm
Nominated by John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District
Clarence and Margaret Gill operate a commercial beef operation running 150 cow/calf pairs in Fauquier County. The Gill family completed their first stream exclusion practice at their home farm in 2021 and completely protected the extensive surface water resources on their second Fauquier County farm property in 2023. Through their efforts, an additional 13,500 feet of stream bank has been protected and over 20 acres of new riparian buffer has been established in the upper Potomac River watershed. There has been an overall improvement in herd temperament due to the implementation of improved rotational grazing options. The Gill family continues to work with their district, having recently enrolled 136 acres of pasture in a prescribed grazing plan, and overall pasture scores continue to improve despite drought conditions. Clarence and Margaret Gill promote conservation practices to the owners of the pasture and hay lands they rent, they support their neighbors’ conservation efforts and allow researchers to visit their farm for grassland bird studies.
Rappahannock River
Ronnie Russell and Evan Perry, Corbin Hall Farm
Nominated by Tidewater Soil and Water Conservation District
Corbin Hall Farm in Middlesex County, with over 350 years of agricultural production, stands as a pillar of environmental and historical stewardship. The farm, operated by Ronnie Russell and his nephew, Evan Perry, encompasses over 2,000 acres comprised of approximately 1,500 acres of cropland, 250 acres of pastureland, and 293 acres of woodlands, marshlands, ponds and homesites. Despite the changes in ownership, Mr. Russell and his family have remained an indispensable presence in farm operations for 66 years and counting. They maintain a nutrient management plan, a conservation plan and three resource management plans. They utilize conservation crop rotation to improve soil health, manage pest and disease, enhance weed control, and increase crop yields due to better nutrient availability and increasing the soil’s microbial diversity. The most useful advance in farming for Corbin Hall was their adoption of a no-till planting system. The property has over 100 acres of vegetated buffers and utilizes rotational grazing during the growing season and range on cover crop acreage in the winter, minimizing supplemental feed needs. Corbin Hall Farm hosts agricultural education opportunities for school groups and supports Virginia Cooperative Extension’s on-farm research. Ronnie Russell and Evan Perry’s continued contributions to local water quality, conservation and education exemplify their dedication to Virginia’s agriculture community.
Roanoke River
Thad and Gayle Montgomery, Double M Dairy
Nominated by Blue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation District
Double M Dairy, operated by Thad and Gayle Montgomery in Franklin County, makes soil health and water quality a key part of their operation through cover crops, summer annuals, intense rotational grazing, in-depth soil analysis, and public engagement. They focus on soil health through custom seed mixes on pasture and cropland to create a sustainable ecology on their farm that allows them to operate without the use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizer. Everything is planted no-till, and mixes are used to increase available nutrients with good root depth diversity. Weed management is completed through dense planting of cover crops with both winter and summer annuals. Intensive rotational grazing with a portable watering system leaves grass height tall for weed suppression, and all livestock are already excluded or under contract to be excluded. Most buffers are forested and support wildlife. In addition to the intensive farm management, Double M Dairy is very active with outreach and education. They host several homeschool days on the farm, annual open houses, sourdough and goat soap making classes and pasture walks with the local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. Double M Dairy is among early adopters of grazing management and conservation practices in their area.
Shenandoah River
Woodbine Farms
Nominated by Lord Fairfax Soil and Water Conservation District
Woodbine Farms, Inc. is a crop and cattle family-run operation that spans over 1,500 acres across Frederick, Warren and Shenandoah counties. The farming operation includes beef cattle, row crops, hay production, forest land, apple and peach orchards, and a high tunnel and garden setup that supports a thriving farm market. Woodbine has been working with their district and partner agencies for 25 years to address conservation across all facets of their operation, with the earliest contracts addressing integrated pest management, and they still utilize an IPM plan today. Their row crops include corn, soybeans and wheat, and they incorporate cover crops into their rotation and implement no-till practices whenever possible. Woodbine operates more than 580 acres of pasture for their 160 head cow/calf herd and has excluded cattle from nearly 6,000 feet of Crooked Run with 8 acres of buffer, while encouraging landowners of pasture acres they rent to participate in livestock exclusion practices. Woodbine’s Farm Market provides an important connection between agriculture and the community by offering a vital gathering and educational space to host events like apple producer’s meetings and Farm Bureau events. This award reflects Woodbine Farms’ long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and family farming.
York River
Sam and W.D. Harris, Cherry Grove Farm Enterprises
Nominated by Tri-County/City Soil and Water Conservation District
Sam and W.D. Harris have carried on their family’s farming tradition in Spotsylvania and Orange counties for decades, working the land since before Lake Anna was established. Throughout their careers, they have embraced an extraordinary commitment to stewardship, ensuring their farms remain productive while protecting soil, water and wildlife. Since 1999, the Harris brothers have partnered with the Tri-County/City Soil & Water Conservation District on more than 51 conservation contracts in Spotsylvania County alone. Their operation centers on a cow/calf herd of about 100 head of cattle, rotationally grazed across two farms spanning over 1,000 acres and eight paddocks. By splitting their herd and practicing rotational grazing, the Harrises maximize forage quality, improve pasture health, and minimize erosion—practices that also protect the waters feeding Lake Anna. The brothers also cultivate nearly 1,000 acres of cropland, rotating corn, soybeans, and cover crops to build soil fertility, reduce nutrient loss, and keep the ground protected year-round. Their conservation achievements extend beyond fields and pastures. To date, they have protected nearly 25,000 feet of streambank and created 32 acres of riparian buffers, practices that filter runoff, stabilize soils, and provide valuable wildlife habitat. Their operation stands as a model of conservation and sustainable agriculture.
