Mountain Castles Soil & Water Conservation District recognized four local farms with Clean Water Farm Awards at their winter awards banquet in Fincastle. Jeannette Kremer and Graylen Alley were the Craig County award winners. Ginny and Will Barkett and Greg and Barbara Teets were the Botetourt County winners.
“Due to several factors, we weren’t able to recognize the 2022 Clean Water Farm Award winners last year, so it was great to recognize four very deserving farms on the same night,” said Dan Naff, conservation technician for Mountain Castles SWCD. Each year, the conservation district recognizes farmers who have demonstrated a commitment to conservation through best management practices such as livestock stream exclusion, rotational grazing, and planting cover crops.
The district also premiered a new video highlighting local farmers. The video was directed by Jess Wiegandt, a graduate of Lord Botetourt HS. “We need to do a better job of storytelling instead of just bombarding people with facts,” said Tim Miller, Mountain Castles district coordinator. For many producers, it’s the next generation that motivates them to initiate conservation practices on the farm. “It’s great to not only show what farmers are doing, but why they are doing it. We’re thrilled with the way the film turned out,” said Miller.
The link to the six-minute video can be found at https://www.mountaincastles.org/.
Courtesy photos
