VA Grand Basin Awards 

From the pool of Virginia Clean Water Farm Award recipients, up to ten (10) grand winners representing Virginia's major river basins are selected each year. Nominees are submitted by local SWCDs. Grand Basin Award winners must meet criteria of the Clean Water Farm Award and demonstrate exceptional conservation on the land and in managing operations. These award winners receive additional acknowledgement at a special recognition ceremony. In addition to the standard sign and certificate, these awards are presented for the following river basins: Big Sandy-Tennessee Rivers, Chowan River, Coastal, James River, New-Yadkin Rivers, Potomac River, Rappahannock River, Roanoke River, Shenandoah River and the York River.  http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil-and-water/cwfa

2024 Grand Coastal Basin Award:

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The 2024 Clean Water Farm Awardee, Nathan Eulo, was nominated by Eastern Shore SWCD for the 2024 VA Grand Coastal Basin Award.  Nathan was awarded at the VASWCD Annual Conference on December 9, 2024 in Roanoke, VA.  Travis Voyles- VA Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources and Matt Lohr- VA Secretary of Ag and Forestry presented the award. 

Nathan Eulo, owner of Eulo Farms, is an environmental steward of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Eulo Farms spans approximately 1,570 acres of cropland and 20 acres of woodland in Accomac. Mr. Eulo participates in the Whole Farm Approach and has a new nutrient management plan written every year. He historically plants and terminates wheat cover crops in May to optimize soil benefits and uses split applications of nitrogen and phosphorus for corn and soybeans. For years, he has used no-till practices on his cropland and protects adjacent wetlands by adhering to at least 100 feet buffers. By implementing these conservation practices, Mr. Eulo does his part to protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Mr. Eulo’s conservation ethic extends to wildlife by planting clover near grain fields for the dual purpose of sustaining the local deer population while protecting cash crops. Passionate about education, he participates in career days with local schools to teach students where the food they eat comes from. Mr. Eulo’s dedication to sustainable farming and community engagement embodies responsible land stewardship

VA Department of Conservation & Recreation
Press Release: 12/13/2024
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/pr-relz-detail?id=2024-12-13-15-14-27-748982-roj