Annual Report 2022 2023

2022 – 2023 Awards and Recognition

2022-2023 Blue Ridge SWCD BMP Forestry Award Recognition

Michael Drummond, Blue Ridge SWCD’s 2022 BMP Forestry Award Winner. Since 2014, Mr. Drummond has worked diligently to manage 179 woodland acres (located in Henry County) with assistance from the Virginia De partment of Forestry. Mr. Drummond’s primary objectives are geared toward wildlife for hunting and timber production. Two tracts of land became Certified Stewardship Forests in 2016 and a Certified Tree Farm in 2019. With the goal of preserving or improving existing soil and water quality, he planted all of the logging decks into wildlife food plots which minimized ero

sion following the logging operations. Also, all of the bare soil areas that were created during the pond construc tion were stabilized with permanent grass vegetation. Mr. Drummond’s land management demonstrates steward ship concepts in management of the forest land by following all of the VDOF recommendations that have been put into his Forest Stewardship Plans. He also manages his three properties for a variety of uses. Mr. Drummond promotes his conservation story by bringing other landowners by his properties to look at the practices he has successfully implemented. It is evident, he has a love for his property that one rarely sees with most landowners. He spends a tremendous amount of time working to improve his land and listens to advice from others on anything that he can do to make improvements.

Welcome Sam Chappell

We want to welcome Samuel Chappell as the district’s new Conservation Technician. He grew up in Franklin County and graduated from Ferrum College in 2021. At Ferrum, Sam joined the Boone Honors Program, Ferrum College Swim Team, and the rock-climbing team. After earning his B.S. in Environmental Sci ence and working as an intern with the SML Water Quality Program, he went on to pursue interests in conservation and public service. Outside of work, he is an avid angler and spends most of my time at Smith Mountain Lake. Sam is enthusi astic to be a part of the Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation District and to work with the local farmers and community.

He can be reached at Schappell@brswcd.org or at (540) 352-3329.

Mauri Wimbush is cur rently a Program Techni cian for the USDA FSA in Rocky Mount. He was born and raised in Woolwine, VA. Work ing with his father and grandfather in their gardens and livestock,

Welcome FSA Employees

Kirstin Shelburne, native of Franklin Co., started with FSA in October of 2022. She enjoys

Trey Wash burn joined the Farm Service Agency in October 2021 as Franklin/Henry County Executive Director. As a Frank lin County native he

helping familiar faces on a day-to day basis at work. Kirstin graduated from Ferrum College with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture science with and emphasis in animal science and agribusiness. When she’s not in the office you can find her on the farm, riding horses or team roping.

Mauri brings some knowledge of agriculture with him. He has worked diligently with pro ducers establishing Marketing Assistance Loans and Farm Storage Facility loans. With his new knowledge of farm programs ob tained, Mauri has been selected to be in the CEDT program to eventually become a CED (county executive director). We wish him well on his future endeavors.

takes great pride in serving the amazing pro ducers in the area. Trey graduated from Rad ford University with a major in Business Ad ministration. He currently resides in Franklin County with his wife. In his spare time you can find him cruising around the lake.

Page 4

Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation District

Volume 35, Issue 1