A native of Onley, Virginia, David Rew grew up helping his uncle on a 600-acre farm.  In the 1980s, he took ownership of the farm and grew it into a 3,500 acre operation.  Mr. Rew manages the entire acreage with conservation tillage methods.  High levels of crop residue are left on fields, inlcuding wheat residue which he does not bale in order to maintain high biomass and nutrients in the straw.  Each year, 700 acres of soybean, oats and barley cover are incorporated into his operation to add soil carbon, reduce nitrogen loss and prevent erosion.  Mr. Rew participates regulary in state and federal conservation programs, which have helped result in a model-cleam water conservation farm.  He recently planted 5 acres of pollinator habitat, and a portion of the area is being monitored as part of a Natural Resources Conservation Service study on plant salt resistance and tolerance. The Eastern Shore SWCD is proud to have Mr. Rew represent the Eastern Shore in winning the 2019 Grand Coastal Basin Award.