Clean Water Farm Awards      

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation sponsors the Clean Water Farm Award and Bay Friendly Farm Award. This award is given to recognize and thank Virginia farmers who implement nutrient management plans and are exemplary in their protection of the state’s soil and water quality. These individuals are role models who encourage others’ stewardship. 

Farmers spend time, energy and hard-earned money carrying out conservation practices that benefit many people. They themselves benefit because nutrients, pesticides and chemicals they invest in stay on the land – where they’re most productive. The soil necessary to grow crops also stays put because of conservation planting techniques. When these potential pollutants are kept out of surface and ground waters, citizens benefit by having better water for drinking, recreation, industry, wildlife and transportation.

The Tidewater Soil and Water Conservation District recognized  Clean Water Farm Award winner James Gresham at their December meeting. On a local level, each District can nominate one farmer per county and river basin,  to win a certificate of recognition signed by the governor and a sign to post at their farm for this award.  Above and beyond the local award, one farmer or farm from each of Virginia’s 10 major river basins is chosen for outstanding management to improve water quality. These 10 winners receive an additional award presented at a special recognition ceremony.  One winner will then be chosen as a state winner.

JAMES GRESHAM-Clean Water Farm Award Winner

 James has shown his desire to conserve through the many years he has used and installed Best Management Practices. 

His methods of pesticide management, voluntary installment of conservation practices, and involvement in agricultural /conservation oriented organizations are among the many reasons that Mr. Gresham is an excellent recipient for the Clean Water Farm Award/Bay Friendly Award. 

Mr. Gresham uses conservation practices such as no-till and cover crops, and has maintained a conservation plan for many years.  He is an avid participant in the Best Management Practice program offered by the District and plants cover crops annually. He has voluntarily installed cover crops and no-till methods for many years.   All of his corn and soybeans have been in continuous no-till rotations for the past 15 years.  His Wheat, Barley, and Orchard grass were all converted to continuous no-till 7 years ago.  He has held positions in the Soybean Association and the Farm Bureau Board.

Mr. Gresham is very conscience of the land he has located near the water. He has voluntarily installed filter strips and riparian buffers. He has a riparian area between his fields and wetlands to reduce the chances of his fertilizers entering the watershed. He also has grasses waterways installed between fields to prevent gully erosion.   Mr. Gresham voluntarily planted approximately 6 acres for wildlife.  The field was planted to provide habitat for deer, turkey, quail and other wildlife.   

For numerous years James Gresham has been an excellent steward of the soil. He is a farmer who takes pride in his work and strives to do his best to conserve the land.  It is for this reason that the Tidewater Soil and Water Conservation District would like to nominate James Gresham for the Clean Water Farm Award/Bay Friendly Farm Award.

Julie Pruitt, Conservation Specialist at TSWCD                        

Bay Friendly Farm Award/Clean Water Farm Award to            

James Gresham.