The Clean Water Farm Award Program

The Clean Water Farm Award program was established by the Virginia General Assembly to recognize farms in the Commonwealth that utilize practices designed to protect water quality and soil resources. Virginia farmers who are exemplary in their protection of the state’s soil and water quality deserve recognition and thanks. 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 the 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 Clean Water Farm Award Program is overseen by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, with Soil and Water Conservation Districts and associated groups and agencies identifying worthy recipients. Individual winners are selected by the Districts.

Districts may select one recipient per jurisdiction within their service area per year. Award winners receive a sign and a certificate. From the pool of award recipients, 10 Grand Basin winners are selected based on nominations from the individual Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Grand Basin winners must meet the criteria of the Clean Water Farm Award and must demonstrate exceptional conservation efforts with results in nutrient management and soil and water conservation. In addition to the standard sign and certificate, Grand Basin winners receive a special recognition sign and a plaque.

Clean Water Farm Award Winners

2024

Rockingham CountyRichard Eppard

Page CountyRichard and Ann Sedwick Family Trust

 

2023

Rockingham CountyJustin and Kristi Schmidt

*Note: Only one award was given this year.

Shenandoah River Grand Basin AwardJustin and Kristi Schmidt

 

2022

Page CountyJeffery and Diane Buckley, Operator of Cedar Hill Farm

Rockingham CountyTim and Kathleen Wolfe, Operator of Wolfepack Farm

 

2021

Rockingham CountyCedar Ridge Dairy Inc., Weldon & James Heatwole

*Note: Only one award was given this year.

 

2020

Page CountyRobert Cumbia, Operator of The L. M. Lawler Farm

Rockingham CountyG. Glen and Arlene Reid & Family

 

2019

Rockingham CountyLuke & Roberta Heatwole

*Note: Only one award was given this year.

 

2018

Page CountyBig Oak Farm, Inc.

Rockingham CountyWil-Rich Farm, LLC

 

2017

Page CountyLindy Hill Farm c/o Cindy and Wes Lam

Rockingham CountyValley Pike Farm c/o The Lohr Family

 

2016

Page CountyTriple R Luray Farm LLC c/o The Burkes

Rockingham CountyCherry Grove Farm LLC c/o Linden Heatwole

Shenandoah River Grand Basin AwardCherry Grove Farm LLC c/o Linden Heatwole

 

2015

Page CountyClark Family c/o Nelson Clark

Rockingham CountyHolsinger Homeplace Farms c/o James (Buck) Holsinger

Shenandoah River Grand Basin Award WinnerHolsinger Homeplace Farms c/o James (Buck) Holsinger

 

2014

Page CountyLucas Family Farm

Rockingham CountyBethel Bend Farm c/o Willis and Krystal Heatwole

Shenandoah River Grand Basin AwardBethel Bend Farm c/o Willis and Krystal Heatwole

 

2013

Page County Roger Houser

Rockingham CountyHome Place Dairy c/o Sam Goering

 

2012

Rockingham CountyMiller Farm c/o Craig & Nancy Miller

*Note: Only one award was given this year.

 

2011

Page CountyJerry Turner

Rockingham CountyWest Branch Dairy LLC c/o Clarke Eberly

 

2010

Page CountyEugene & Betty Fox

Rockingham CountyGreen Hills Farm c/o Larry Cupp

 

2009

Page CountyEVP, LLC, The White House Farm & Big Oak Farm c/o Scott C. Plein

Rockingham CountyFox Run Farm c/o Ray J. “Buff” Showalter

 

2008

Page CountyValley Star Farm c/o David Thomas

Rockingham CountyRohrer Brothers Farm c/o George Rohrer

 

2007

Page CountyGary (Joe) & Cathy Alger

Rockingham CountyScott Funkhouser

 

2006

Page CountyYancey’s Dairy c/o Billy & Becky Yancy

Rockingham CountyGrazeland Dairy c/o Philip Witmer

 

2005

Page CountyDonnie Atwood

Rockingham CountyJohn Barlow

 

2004

Page CountyJohn Good

Rockingham CountyRichard Morris

 

2003

Page County– The Burner Family, Charles & Allen Burner

Rockingham CountyClinton & Robert Hensley

 

2002

Page CountyJulian & Patti Price

Rockingham CountyW. D. Knicely Family Diary

 

2001

Page CountyBennie Cubbage & Barbara Kibler

Rockingham CountyMike & Susan Phillips

 

2000

Page CountyDavid & Jay Foltz

Rockingham CountyDan & Janet King

 

1999

Page CountyDonnie Dorrough

Rockingham CountyMaple Lane Holsteins-c/o Mike Davis & Steve Kegley

 

1998

Page CountyTom & Jeff Jennings

Rockingham CountyC.H. & Tom Beam

 

1997

Rockingham CountyCub Run Dairy c/o Gerald Heatwole

 

1996

Rockingham CountyPeak Breeder Farm c/o Tom Burkholder & Donnie Landes

 

1995

Page CountyH. Price Farms c/o Julian Price

 

1994

Rockingham CountyCecil “Sonny” Meyerhoeffer

 

1993

Rockingham CountyAdams Farms Inc. c/o Nelson, Robert, and Donald Adams

 

1992

Rockingham County–  Wayne Cupp