Everyday is Earth Day for the Atwoods 

You may have seen farms like the one operated by Donnie and son Mikey Atwood along the highways and hillsides of the Shenandoah Valley.  They bear signs that say “Clean Water Farm,” “Conservation Farmer,” or “Partner in Conservation.”  The Atwood's farm is a beef cattle operation in Page County.

Bill Patterson, NRCS District Conservationist in Rockingham and Page Counties, helped the Atwoods develop a conservation plan for the 525 acre farm.  He says that much of the land is considered to be highly erodible.  To keep soil in place and nutrients from running off crop fields, the Atwood’s have installed a variety of conservation practices.  These include using conservation tillage which causes minimal soil disturbance during planting; leaving crop residue on the ground to reduce the impact of raindrops hitting bare soil, and planting a cover crop to keep the soil covered after harvest.  The Atwoods use little commercial fertilizer and rely mostly on poultry litter for their nutrients.  They have also built a waste storage structure to contain the cattle manure and poultry litter so that it can be safely applied to the land at the appropriate time.

Patterson says that farmers understand the need to take care of the earth and are doing their part.  For them, it’s their livelihood and legacy to their children.  For everyone, it’s our source of food and fiber. 

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