The NNSWCD Board is comprised of locally elected and appointed directors to oversee a staff responsible for accomplishing these goals in cooperation with local, state, and federal partners. The NNSWCD has ten (10) Directors and several Associate Directors. Eight (8) Directors are elected, two (2) from each of the Northern Neck counties; two (2) Directors are appointed by the Board, one of which must be a local extension agent. The term of office for Directors is four years and they receive no payment for their services.

The NNSWCD Board meets monthly to conduct and oversee District business. These meetings are public, and the Board encourages attendance by sending meeting notices to local newspapers. Click here to see the 2023 schedule

Elected Directors:

  • Robert E. Pickett, Chairman (Northumberland)
  • Frank Johnson, Vice-Chairman (Richmond)
  • J. Vince Garland, Treasurer (Richmond)
  • Faye Andrashko (Lancaster)
  • William A. “Billy” McCarty (Lancaster)
  • Robert G. Vanlandingham (Northumberland)
  • H. Shirley Powell (Westmoreland)
  • Richard E. Wilkins (Westmoreland)

Appointed Directors:

  • R. Trent Jones, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent (Lancaster/Northumberland)
  • Louis Gregory Basye, At-Large Member (Northumberland)

Associate Directors:

  • William D. Allensworth (Westmoreland)
  • Junius “J.C.” Berger (Richmond)
  • E. Derwin Booker, Jr. (Lancaster)
  • Richard Haynie (Northumberland)
  • Kenneth E. Savko (Lancaster)

2023 General Election: In the 2023 General Election, Northern Neck voters are asked to elect TWO directors to serve on the Northern Neck Soil & Water Conservation District (NNSWCD) Board from each of the four localities we serve. Voters are often surprised to be faced with making a choice for this little understood seat that appears on the ballot every four years.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A SWCD BOARD? Soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) were established in the 1930s to develop comprehensive programs and plans to conserve soil resources, control and prevent soil erosion, prevent floods and conserve, develop, utilize and dispose water. Today, 47 SWCDs serve as local resources for citizens in nearly all Virginia localities.

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE NNSWCD BOARD?  The NNSWCD is responsible for assisting the agricultural community, landowners, and residential property owners of Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties in the wise management and maintenance of the region’s valuable natural resource base.

The NNSWCD Board is comprised of ten locally elected and appointed directors to oversee a staff responsible for accomplishing these goals in cooperation with local, state, and federal partners:

  • eight directors are elected – two from each of the four Northern Neck counties;
  • two directors are appointed by the Board, one of which must be a local extension agent.

The term of office for Directors is four years, the positions are considered non-partisan, and they receive no payment for their services.

The NNSWCD Board takes direction from a state level board under the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR). Since the mid-1980s, DCR has relied heavily on SWCDs to help deliver many programs aimed at controlling and preventing nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, often on a hydrologic unit basis. Key SWCD NPS control and prevention efforts are:

  • Implementation of the Virginia Agricultural BMP Cost-Share Program;
  • Local assistance with delivery of E&S control ordinances;
  • Conservation planning assistance and plan approval of farm plans in accordance with state and local requirements such as the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act and Virginia’s Agricultural Stewardship Act;
  • Technical expertise for design and installation of agricultural conservation practices implemented voluntarily by Virginia farmers;
  • Virginia Conservation Assistance Program implementation in all Chesapeake Bay SWCD;
  • The education of clients through field days, public meetings and classroom programs.

WHO ARE THE LOCAL CANDIDATES FOR THE NNSWCD BOARD? There are two Virginia Department of Elections-certified candidates for the two open seats in each of the four Northern Neck counties:

Lancaster

  • James A. “Aaron” Rowland
  • Lewis Kendall Walker, III

Northumberland

  • Robert E. Pickett
  • Robert G. “Bobby” Vanlandingham

Richmond

  • James V. “Vince” Garland, IV
  • Frank A. “Bert” Johnson, Jr.

Westmoreland

  • Benson C. Braxton
  • Richard E. Wilkins

In addition to those appearing on the local ballots, voters also have the ability to write-in their candidate of choice.

For more information about the roles and responsibilities of the NNSWCD Board, please visit www.nnswcd.org or contact our office at (804) 313-9102, x101.