Everyday is Earth Day for Conservationists

RICHMOND, VA-- April 19, 2006- Thanks to Virginia farmers, Earth Day 2006 (April 22) is cause for a celebration.  In the past year, farmers have developed conservation plans to cover more than 200,000 acres of cropland and grazing land.  They reduced soil erosion by nearly 700,000 tons.  To protect water quality in local streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay, more than 230 farmers have applied a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus runoff.

Signs of conservation are everywhere. These practices can be seen on farms along the hillsides of Southwest Virginia and the Piedmont region; on the flat lands of the Coastal Plains, and around the Shenandoah Valley.  Many operations bear signs that say “Clean Water Farm,” “Conservation Farmer,” or “Partner in Conservation.”  “These farmers recognize the value of our irreplaceable resources and are proactive in protecting them,” said M. Denise Doetzer, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist. 

This is the biggest year yet of Farm Bill funding for Virginia.  Farmers have signed up for nearly $12 million to implement conservation work on their farms. One such farmer is Wanda Partyka of Tazewell, VA. She recently purchased a 239-acre beef cattle farm that needed major conservation attention.  Wanda wanted to make sure she addressed all resource concerns on the entire operation. NRCS worked with Wanda and developed a conservation plan, nutrient management plan, prescribed grazing plan, pest management plan and a forest stewardship plan.  She has placed her farm in a conservation easement with the New River Land Trust, ensuring it will be preserved in agricultural use for the future.

All of these conservation practices that Partyka are implementing on her farm, have an even bigger impact on society.  Conservation leads to cleaner air, improved water quality, enhanced wildlife habitat, more productive soils for crops, grazing land and the advantages are endless. 

To read about local conservation successes in your area, click here. 

Did You Know?  Virginia farmers are responsible for caring for nearly one-fourth of the land in the state. Approximately 47,000 full and part-time farm operations cover nearly 8.7 million acres.  They also provide many of the products you see in your grocer’s aisle including milk, bread, eggs, vegetables, fruit, beef, chicken, ham and more.  And they are a vital part of the economy -- generating more than $36 billion in sales each year.

< Back to ...