The Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District (SVSWCD) held a Recognition Breakfast on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at the Keezletown Ruritan Hall in Keezletown, Virginia. The event is organized to recognize outstanding conservation efforts including: Clean Water Farm Award winners, an outstanding partner, localities that support the District and other individuals who contribute to the District’s conservation activities. Following breakfast, the District acknowledged the award winners with presentations and tokens of recognition. William Latham, District Chairman, presented the award recipients with plaques and certificates recognizing their contributions to soil and water quality and conservation efforts.
The SVSWCD serves Rockingham and Page counties and the City of Harrisonburg and is one of 47 Districts in Virginia charged with the local management of natural resources. The SVSWCD serves as a clearinghouse for information, provides technical services and financial assistance for the installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs), and works cooperatively with other agencies to improve the local environment and resource conservation. The District receives funding from local, state and federal sources to support essential operating costs and provide services.
Following a brief presentation highlighting the District’s activities and services, Conservation Technicians Sara Bottenfield and Wesley Hedrick recognized farming operations that have demonstrated exceptional conservation efforts. The Bay Friendly/Clean Water Farm Awards were presented to Green Hills Farm of Rockingham County and Eugene and Betty Fox of Page County. These two operations are exemplary in encouraging stewardship and contributing to improved soil and water quality.
 Green Hills Farm is operated by the Cupp family and is located west of Dayton. This poultry operation and grazing dairy includes over 300 acres. Some of the best management practices on the farm include: a rotational grazing system, the exclusion of all water bodies from livestock; animal waste control facilities including a poultry litter/compost facility, liquid manure storage structure and a loose housing facility; and the use of winter cover crops. Rotational grazing not only protects pasture from erosion but also helps promote efficient forage utilization by livestock. Animal waste from the operation is managed either as a dry or a liquid product and is utilized according to the farm’s Nutrient Management Plan. As a result of the Cupps’ dedication to conservation and stewardship the District was proud to recognize them as the 2010 Rockingham County Clean Water Farm Award winner.
 Eugene and Betty Fox operate a 96 acre beef cattle farm located north of Luray. The Foxes have a rotational grazing system comprised of 4 separate pastures and an alternative watering system to protect surface water from nutrients and to improve forage utilization. In addition to this best management practice, they also practice no-till, plant winter cover crops, and practice crop rotation. Recently, the Foxes were approved for a Grassland Reserve Easement which will allow all grassland on the farm to be permanently protected. Eugene and Betty are active in a number of community and farming organizations. Their conservation efforts and good stewardship practices made them excellent candidates for the 2010 Page County Clean Water Farm Award.
Both Green Hills Farm and the Foxes have received technical and financial assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Shenandoah Valley Soil & Water Conservation District. These agencies’ programs provide funding to help install conservation practices that protect soil and water quality. For more information about technical or financial assistance, contact the Shenandoah Valley Soil & Water Conservation District at (540) 433-2853 ext. 4.
 The District also recognized Seal’s Septic Service with the Outstanding Partner Award. This award recognizes an individual, group, or agency that has gone above and beyond to work with the District to promote and achieve resource protection goals. Megan O’Gorek, Residential Conservation Technician, recognized Seal’s Septic Service of Luray for their outstanding partnership and cooperation with the District’s TMDL program in the Mill Creek and Hawksbill Creek watersheds.
Other recognitions included localities that made financial contributions to the District during the 2009-2010 fiscal year: Bridgewater, Dayton, Elkton, Grottoes, City of Harrisonburg, Shenandoah, Stanley, Timberville, and Rockingham County. Locality contributions allow the District to continue to provide natural resource education and outreach services. Two SVSWCD Board members were recognized for their service. Carl Luebben served as an Associate Director for the District for over 20 years, providing his vast knowledge and expertise in agronomy to many projects. Chairman William Latham thanked Mr. Luebben for his dedication and service to the District. Director Linda Campbell, representing Page County, was recognized for her twenty-five years of service on the Board. Mrs. Campbell was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board, and is currently serving on the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Board. The SVSWCD appreciates her continued leadership and service in natural resource conservation. | 
