The Piedmont Soil & Water Conservation District held its annual conservation awards banquet on February 27 at the Farmville train station. The district recognized farmers, partners, and educators who have shown a commitment to natural resource conservation.

The farmers who received awards—James Garnett, Jr., Gayle Harris, and Wes Reames—have implemented best management practices on their Prince Edward County farms to improve soil and water quality.

Such methods include fencing livestock out of streams, practicing rotational grazing, and planting tree buffers around waterways to intercept runoff.

Jay Hackleman, who received the Forestry Farmer Award, has planted a variety of trees on his property to establish wildlife habitat. The Prince Edward County Health Department, recipient of the Conservation Partner Award, has been a vital partner in the District’s residential septic financial assistance program.

Dan Michaelson, an aquatic biologist for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and winner of the Conservation Educator Award, has volunteered at several district events throughout the years, particularly the summer nature camp for local children to learn about environmental stewardship.