Prince William supervisors ended the year on a complimentary note, as they took timeat their last meeting in December to honor a Haymarket horse farmer for her best management and environmentally friendly practices.
"Whereas, the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District has selected Jennifer Mosle as the Clean Water Bay Friendly Farm Award Program recipient," read Chairman Corey Stewart, R-at large, from the commendation letter, "be it resolved that the [board] commends [her] for her commitment to protecting and enhancing waters that flow beyond farm boundaries and for the conservation ethic she demonstrates through her farm management practices."
The award comes by way of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, said Kate Norris, manager for the county's Soil and Water Conservation district. Statewide, 47 such districts exist and officials from each nominate one local farmer every year for the prize.
"In the fall of 2006," Norris said, "we were out [at Mosle's Flyover Farm] to develop a plan with her."
The plan for the 10 acres, according to the nominating letter sent to the DCR judging committee in Richmond, included everything from fencing to nutrient management.
Mosle also "added an 8 stall barn with gutters and graveled surface with a French drain around it," the letter stated. "A stormwater management device is applied around the barn, driveway and animal walkway to avoid the occurrence of gully erosion … [and] also a well engineered riding ring is built on the upper side of the barn."
Mosle, who said she was honored, hoped the exposure from the award would lead other farmers to consider installing similar best management practices on their lands.
Basically, she said, she "fenced off the stream, created a buffer zone around it to enable the natural filtration to keep the runoff from the stream," and built a crossing over the stream.
"Other people can definitely do this," Mosle said. "The program [officials] help you find grants … and even if it's as simple as managing your grazing land, as simple as rotating grazing, it all helps."
Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement