Paul Davis farms in New Kent County, VA and drives a truck with a bumper sticker that says, “Never-Till.” His farm was a stop on the Conservation in Action Tour. He’s been in continuous no-till since 1999.
While we were on the farm he gave us a presentation about his use of the Trimble Greenseeker technology that makes variable rate application of nitrogen possible. It’s fascinating stuff since the precision ag equipment allows Paul to conduct over 3,400 different application rates on the field we were standing in! Without this technology he would have applied a uniform amount over the whole field. The precision ag equipment not only saves on nitrogen use but applies it where it is most needed and likely to increase yields. This is a great example of how farmers like Paul are using precision ag technology to help their bottom line while also conserving and protecting natural resources. Paul Davis Presentation
Conservation In Action Tour 2010 Photo Album
AgWired coverage of the Conservation In Action Tour is made
possible by 
and the 
The Deputy Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment, USDA, is Ann Mills. Ann oversees the Natural Resources Conservation Service. During lunch on the Conservation in Action Tour she spoke to us about several initiatives under her oversight. She talked about her goals of getting 100 percent participation from Chesapeake Bay area land owners to help with the watershed cleanup efforts. She acknowledged farmers work on this and told people during the tour how much she was learning about the practices they employ. I think this shows how important it is to invite government officials out to the farm. If they’re going to regulate you it would be nice if they actually knew what you do!
The Conservation in Action Tour provides an opportunity for farmers to see how other farmers are implementing good conservation practices but it also allows policy makers a chance to learn more about this area. One of our tour participants who spoke to us at our lunch stop was Kelly Shenk, EPA. She works in the Chesapeake Bay Program office.
The first plantation in Virginia was Shirley Plantation, established in 1613. This was the lunch stop for the Conservation in Action Tour. Tourism and education play a big part in the family business today.
While the Conservation in Action Tour was parked under the trees in the shade at one stop, we heard from local farmer, J.N. Mills. Pictured behind him is Eric Randolph, another local farmer we also heard from.
During the Conservation in Action Tour we visited Evelynton Farm which is home to Archer Ruffin who told us about the rich history of this farm which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Our tour group sat in the shade of the largest magnolia tree I’ve ever seen.
