2009 Annual Awards 

District Announces Annual Awards

            On Thursday, November 12, 2009, the Lord Fairfax Soil & Water Conservation District announced its annual conservation awards.  Honorees were hosted at a luncheon at the Wayside Inn in Middletown in recognition of their conservation efforts.  Both local landowners and organizations based in Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah and Warren Counties were presented with certificates, statements describing their conservation efforts and baskets of local apples for their hard work and dedication to soil and water conservation.  The following is a list of the award categories and the recipients of each award.

 

Outstanding District Director

Mr. Lauck Walton (Director at large, Shenandoah County)

 

Outstanding Conservation Education

Mr. Bobby Clark (Virginia Cooperative Extension, Woodstock office)

 

Clean Water Farm

Joe and Anita Beckenstrater, Mount Airy Farm (Shenandoah County)

 

Conservation Partnership

Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation and Winchester Chapter Trout Unlimited, accepted by Chase Milner (SVBF) and Stan Ikonen (Trout Unlimited)

 

Outstanding Clarke County Farmer

Mark and Michelle Timberlake, Summerville Farm

 

Outstanding Frederick County Farmer

Howard and Peggy Wimer

 

Outstanding Shenandoah County Farmer

Mr. R. Keith Richards

 

Outstanding Warren County Farmer

Mr. Raymon (Jim) Guy

 

Outstanding Forestry Best Management Practice

Howard and DeDe Lallande (Shenandoah County)

 

The awardees honored this year covered many facets in the regions agricultural world.  Dairy farmers, beef farmers, hay and grain producers, forest landowners, historical preservationists, wildlife enthusiasts and educators were all represented.  Each awardee was recognized for conservation acts above and beyond the call of duty by taking part in typical conservation projects, but with an unusual amount of their own time, money and resources given up to serve the greater good.  For instance, the awardees protected a total of over 2 miles of stream, built 6 protected stream crossings, planted hundreds of trees, and prevented tons of sediment from entering streams.  This was done through stream fencing, alternative water systems, grassed logging roads, alternative cover crops, manure storage sheds, and extensive dam maintenance. 

 

Each landowner awardee has received a sign to place on their farm or property where the public can see it to show their dedication to agricultural conservation. 

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