Prince Edward Director is Inducted into Conservation Hall of Fame

Wilkie W. Chaffin, who is a Prince Edward County Director for the Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District, was inducted into the Southeast Region Conservation Hall of Fame on August 12, 2013.  The Southeast Region consists of nine states and is a part of the National Association of Conservation Districts.  Dr. Chaffin was the only nominee from Virginia for this honor in 2013.  He won the Outstanding Director Award for the James River Watershed early in his conservation director career.  In 2011, the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD) chose him as the Virginia conservation director of the year (the Wilkinson Award).  He has been the treasurer of the local Piedmont District for more than ten years and an officer in the VASWCD for 12 years.  In 2003, he and his wife Dora agreed to fund competitive awards for outstanding soil and water district employees across the state.  Since that time, 28 district employees from Virginia have shared more than $8,000 in Chaffin Award prizes.  Conservation District directors are the only local or regional officials elected by the public who are not paid for their work.