Larry and Suzanne Hutchens have received one of nine state level conservation awards for helping improve water quality and protecting Virginia's soil.
CAPTION: Pictured is Jack Frye (left) with DCR along with Larry Hutchens at the Area Five Meeting in South Boston, Virginia. Larry and Suzanne Hutchens received the Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) Roanoke River Grand Basin award. This is only the second time a Patrick County farm has received the award. (Photo by Kelly Jones Snoddy)
HUTCHENS RECEIVES ROANOKE RIVER GRAND BASIN AWARD
Larry and Suzanne Hutchens have received one of nine state level conservation awards for helping improve water quality and protecting Virginia's soil. This is only the second time a Patrick County farm has received Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) Roanoke River Grand Basin award. Patrick Soil and Water Conservation District sponsored the farm for the award. Virginia farmers who are exemplary in their protection of the state’s soil and water quality are eligible to be nominated for the award.
Jack Frye, soil and water conservation director for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), presented Hutchens a resolution from the General Assembly and a sign for his farm. The Roanoke River Basin encompasses the following counties: Patrick, Franklin, Henry, Montgomery, Floyd, Roanoke, Brunswick, Mecklenburg, Halifax, Pittsylvania, Charlotte, Appomattox, Campbell, Bedford and Botetourt.
Anyone may nominate a farmer or farm for a Clean Water Farm Award and Bay Friendly Farm Award. Simply contact a local soil and water conservation district for assistance completing an application. Virginia’s 47 soil and water conservation districts decide local winners, who can represent any of the 94 counties and 16 cities SWCDs comprise. John F. Clark's farm is the only other farm in Patrick County that has received the state level award.
There are fourteen river basins in Virginia: Potomac River, Rappahannock River, York River, James River, Atlantic Ocean Coastal, Chesapeake Bay Coastal, Chowan River, Albemarle Sound Coastal, Roanoke River, Yadkin River, New River, Clinch-Powell Rivers, Holston River and Big Sandy River.
Submitted by: Sandra Heath, Patrick SWCD
