Each year, Southside Soil and Water Conservation District selects a producer to represent its watershed for the Grand Basin Clean Water Farm Award. Producers submitted for nomination are sent to the state level and are selected by a committee that ranks them against other nominees from the same watershed. This year, on the local level, the District selected Ferrell Family Farms for its excellence and diversity in conservation practices.

Southside Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was thrilled to learn Ferrell Family Farms was selected by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to be awarded the Roanoke River Grand Basin Clean Water Farm Award.

The Ferrells were invited to attend the 2017 Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ Annual Meeting, held in Portsmouth, VA, to be recognized for their commitment to conservation excellence by DCR Director, Clyde Christman, Secretary of Natural Resources, Molly Ward and Deputy Director of Natural Resources, Russ Baxter.

Ferrell Family Farms is owned and operated by Timmy, Devone, Kevin and Davey Ferrell of Wylliesburg, VA. They maintain many conservation practices on their farm that range from livestock exclusion to cover crop and nutrient management. The Ferrell’s have participated in farm tours and are among the first producers in the area to utilize energy management with tobacco production. Southside SWCD is very proud to have Ferrell Family Farms represent Charlotte County and the Roanoke River Watershed for 2017.