Clean Water Farm Awards
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation sponsors the Clean Water Farm /Bay Friendly 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 Troy Whitehead at their January 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.
2010 Clean Water Farm Award Winner - Troy Whitehead
The Tidewater Soil & Water Conservation District has chosen Troy Whitehead as the Clean Water Farm/Bay Friendly Award Winner. He has shown the desire to conserve through the many years that he has utilized Best Management Practices on his farm. Having followed a Nutrient Management Plan for several years, he is aware of the precise amount of nitrogen that needs to be applied without leaching or runoff occurring. His methods of no-till planting and installing buffers for wildlife are among the many reasons that the Troy Whitehead is an excellent recipient of the Clean Water Farm Award.
Troy came to the Middle Peninsula in 1966. He started farming in 1967 and has been ever since. He has eight pigs, 10 chickens, 12 cow/calf pairs and grows watermelons and pumpkins aside from his traditional grain crops as well. His farm is located at the North End Branch of the North River and Cobbs Creek. All of the water from this large watershed runs down and is channeled into Troy’s stream. Understanding the importance of this watershed, Troy decided to implement a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) practice on his farm. This is a joint practice in which the District, NRCS and FSA all join together to provide cost share for the expenses to fence his cattle out of the stream, provide an alternative water source and plant a buffer between the fence and the stream. He has both sides of the North End Branch fenced out. Being very conscious of the land they have located near the bay, buffers and filter strips have been installed voluntarily on his farm to reduce the chance of fertilizer and pesticides entering the watershed.
For many years, Troy has been an excellent steward of the land. His land has been a family farm passed down for generations. Their father was one of the first farmers in this area to practice no-till. He is a farmer who takes pride in his work and does his best to conserve the land. Being an avid hunter, he wants to do what’s right for the bay and the land. Aside from full-time farming, Troy is also a member of the Farm Service Agency County Committee.
Troy also manages to generously share his produce with the entire community expecting nothing in return. As prices go up and farming becomes more difficult to do to make a living, Troy still continues to take into consideration what is best for the soil and water. He understands the importance of the Best Management Practices and other efforts to protect the land. It is for this reason that the Tidewater Soil and Water Conservation District has chosen Troy Whitehead for the Clean Water Farm Award/Bay Friendly Farm Award.
Congratulations Troy!
(left to right) Jason Bray (Director), Mrs. Troy Whitehead, and Award Winner Troy Whitehead