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Annually, in February, the Three Rivers SWCD has an awards banquet to recognize area adult and student conservation leaders for their outstanding contributions to the preservation of our natural resources and support of educational projects. The following awards were presented.
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| Wildlife Food Plot Competition |
 Three Rivers sponsors a competition each year with students in grades 9-12. It is not only to attract wildlife but to provide an opportunity for the students to learn about conservation and wildlife while helping them to develop an appreciation of the world around them. Applications are submitted annually on September 30 and the plots are judged on seed production, variety of seeds used, location of plot, size, and bonus points are given for evidence of wildlife using the plots.
We have one student from Essex High School, Bryce Tignor, and three students from King William High School, Meredith Hill, Vincent Redman and Zack Quick. This year we added a new Jr. Division to the competition and we had two participants, Peyton Hill from Hamilton Holmes Middle School and Adam Schools from Aylett Country Day School. All participants did a great job on their plot and each will receive a certificate and a check in the amount of $50.00.
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| Partnership Award |
 Bob Waring and Wayne Davis of the Department of Conservation & Recreation were recognized with the Partnership Award. Both Bob and Wayne have gone beyond the regular call of duty to assist the staff. Bob wrote Nutrient Management plans for 22,500.9 acres in the three county district to ensure our producers could be eligible for the VA Ag BMP Cost Share program. Wayne has been readily available to answer questions and assist with programs. He takes good care of his area III districts ensuring we receive our fair share of the cost share funds.
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| Volunteer Award |
 Essex High School FFA Advisor, Rebecca Carter and her students were recognized for their support of the Agricultural Awareness Day at Tappahannock Elementary for 3rd and 4th graders and our Homeowner Initiative Project in King William.
Rebecca and her students washed 110 pickle barrels to be used for rooftop runoff rain barrels and they also taught the Standards of Learning soils station for the elementary students.
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| Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award |
Robert Payne Longest was born and raised at Walnut Springs Farm in Oak Shade. Robert Payne has been farming all his life and went on his own in 1980. His operation consists of 450 acres of cropland, 60 acres of hayland and 170 acres of woodland. The crop rotations utilized are 225 acres of corn, 38 acres of barley, 50 acres of wheat, 17 acres of rye for seed and 225 acres of soybeans. Throughout the acres of cropland, no-till is consistently practiced. In the winter months most fields are planted to cover crops not only for nutrient value but also to decrease erosion.
 Nutrient Management and Integrated Pest Management are two valuable tools used. Soil tests are taken regularly to determine fertilizer and liming rates. His Nutrient Management Plan was written by a private planner and is currently being implemented. Robert Payne works closely with his local county Extension Agent to actively implement an Integrated Pest Management program. This program is being implemented through scouting to determine economic thresholds to keep crop damage at an acceptable level. Conservation plans have been developed and are actively utilized on all cropland. Numerous sod waterways and critical area seedings have been installed to prevent excessive erosion and from soil entering waterways. Field borders and/or filter strips planted are maintained along the edges of fields to trap sediment and nutrients.
In addition to cropland conservation management, Robert Payne Longest works with the Department of Forestry through a Stewardship plan. Robert Payne is motivated to be a good steward of the land by implementing these conservation measures for the improvement of the water quality in his community and the York River Watershed. He is also active in our community by participating with the local Extension Agent on many variety trials and field days and also participating with the Three Rivers in the roller crimper demonstration project. The Three Rivers Soil & Water Conservation District feels Robert Payne Longest exhibits outstanding work with resource management and is dedicated to the protection of the York watershed and the Chesapeake Bay. We are proud to present Robert Payne with the Bay Friendly Clean Water Farm Award.
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| Business Conservation Leadership Award |
The Three River District would like to recognize Joey Reinhardt of Barbour Printing. Joey has been a major supporter and contributor to the majority of the District’s educational activities and outreach programs. Barbour Printing sponsors our newsletter that is published on a quarterly basis and Joey has assisted personally with the Farm Safety Day Camp program and assisted with promotional materials. Three Rivers is proud to present Joey Reinhardt of Barbour Printing with the Business Conservation Leadership Award. We truly appreciate Joey’s dedication and support of Three Rivers Environmental Education and the Stewardship of Natural Resources.
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| Outstanding Stewardship Award |
This year’s recipient of the Three Rivers District Outstanding Stewardship Award is Ray, Winston and Stephen Ellis. Their operation consists of 3,600 acres of cropland. They are also working with the Department of Forestry on 125 acres of Woodland. The crop rotations utilized by the Ellis’s are 1,800 acres of corn, 1,100 acres of wheat, 700 acres of barley and 1,800 acres of soybeans. Throughout the acres of cropland, continuous no-till is practiced. During the fall months 240 acres are planted to cover crops not only for nutrient value but also to decrease erosion.  Nutrient Management and Integrated Pest Management are two valuable tools used by the Ellis’s. Soil tests are taken regularly to determine fertilizer and liming rates.
Their Nutrient Management Plan was written by the Department of Conservation & Recreation, Bob Waring and Joe Garner, and is currently being implemented and all spray equipment is calibrated properly. The Ellis’s regularly practice split applications for their wheat, barley and corn. They have worked closely with their local county Extension Agent, Keith Balderson to actively implement an Integrated Pest Management program. This program is being implemented through scouting to determine economic thresholds to keep crop damage at an acceptable level.
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Plans and Conservation plans have been developed and are actively utilized on all cropland. They are also active in our community by participating with their local Farm Bureau, small grains/corn/soybean member and with Extension on corn hybrids research plots. They have also assisted Three Rivers with marketing of the continuous no-till program by displaying one of our signs in their no-till field. Numerous sod waterways and critical area seedings have been installed to prevent excessive erosion and from soil entering Virginia’s waterways. Field borders and/or filter strips planted are maintained along the edges of fields to trap sediment and nutrients and provide wildlife benefits. Therefore, the Three Rivers District feels the Ellis’s have demonstrated a conscious effort to preserve and conserve natural resources within our community.
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