Although conservation districts across West Virginia have had an unusually volatile last several months, the Potomac Valley Conservation District celebrated another year of service to the community and the landscape.
Earlier this year, the West Virginia State Legislature quietly stripped regional conservation districts of their authority over, and responsibility for, small watershed flood control dams and other programs. Ed Martin, chairman of the Little Kanawha Conservation District, issued a critical public letter denouncing the move. A number of local conservation district officials had not heard word of the change before his message.
Martin also emphasized that the original soil conservation program founded in the 1930s established local authority and assigned state and federal officials supporting roles. As a response, Charlotte Hoover, district chair of the Potomac Valley Conservation District, and Lois Carr, Pendleton County supervisor, recently went to the Pendleton County Commission to discuss new roles for the PVCD in connecting young people to agriculture and conservation.
The pair also shared the master of ceremonies duties on Sunday evening at the awards banquet.
Kade Suddath and Layla Shreve, youth supervisors, spoke to attendees about 4-H and Future Farmers of America activities, projects, and programs. They also assisted with the event’s operation.
Kim Dollinger, who operates Dollinger Farm in Hampshire County along with her husband, James, spoke as an inductee for Women in Agriculture for 2026. Her farm has pioneered sustainable concepts, such as using goldfish to keep livestock water containers clean. She spoke briefly as well.
The primary mission of local conservation districts lies in providing service to the community along lines established by the original Soil Conservation Service and that have developed in the nearly 100 years since. At the dinner, current and former supervisors and other conservation leaders received well-earned recognition. The primary mission of local conservation districts lies in providing service to the community along lines established by the original Soil Conservation Service and that have developed in the nearly 100 years since.
At the dinner, current and former supervisors and other conservation leaders received well-earned recognition. Plaques for years of service went to Hoover, Paul Clayton, Brian Dayton, Dave Parker, and John Hicks. Suddath also received a plaque “for his loyal participation as a youth supervisor representing Hampshire County FFA and 4-H.”
Gary Ehlert of Springfield received recognition, earning the Conservation Farm Award.
Awards also went to Envirothon winning teams from Hampshire High School, Moorefield High School, and East Hardy High School.
Conservation districts across West Virginia announced the selection of farms in operation for 100 or more years. Honored last Sunday were Bane Farm, Strosnider-Orndorff Farm, Seldom Seen Farm, JMF Farm, and Pugh Homeplace, all in Hampshire and Mineral counties.
About 60 people came to the Red Bird Café in Romney to gather and celebrate. Big Bad BBQ Dads catered while FNB sponsored the event.
