Farmers

The Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District offers numerous services to agricultural operations, both large and small. We offer conservation and nutrient management planning, financial assistance (Cost Share and Tax Credit) for conservation practices, seminars on natural resource and agricultural topics.

8th Annual Mid-Atlantic Nutrition Conference

Concurrent Sessions for Dairy, Poultry and Equine March 24-25, 2010, Timonium, MD information and registration (due by March 15)

2009 Bay Friendly Clean Water Farm Award

Pablo and Esther Elliott of Stoney Lonesome Farm in Gainesville, VA were nominated by the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District (PWSWCD) to win this year’s local Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation 2009 Bay Friendly Clean Water Farm award. The 90-acre farm has been in the Elliott family since 1971 and is one of 2,000 farms in the United States that participate in the Community Supported Agriculture program. The farm operates under a soil and water quality conservation plan and a forest management plan using best management practices that protect the environment while supporting the farmers’ production goals.

Community Supported Agriculture farms operate with the help of non-farming members who purchase a share in the farm and in return receive fresh, locally grown products. Often shareholders may help with planting and harvesting. The Elliotts’ operation has the added bonus of being a completely organic farm that uses natural production methods designed to protect air and water quality while improving soil fertility with compost and green cover crops. Currently about 50 shareholder families enjoy Stoney Lonesome’s produce.

Stoney Lonesome Tomatoes PWSWCD staff began working with the Elliotts in 2008. In addition to their 3-acre organic garden they have a 45-acre rotational grazing system for cattle, goats, and horses. The Elliotts also raise chickens. The implemented grazing system excludes a pond and Resource Protection Area stream in the Broad Run watershed. These sensitive areas are protected by 35-50 foot wide buffers of tall grasses and trees that filter and slow the velocity in rainwater flow, keeping the waterways cleaner and reducing erosion damage caused by fast moving water.

Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District congratulates Pablo and Esther Elliott of Stoney Lonesome on their well-deserved recognition.