Clarke For Loudoun Soil

Why Should we conserve soil & water?

In the 1930s, poor management of agricultural resources coupled with drought conditions and wind erosion contributed to Dust Bowl. Typically, farmers overfarmed and overgrazed their lands which, during drought conditions, began to blow away.

Following the devastation of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt recommended the Standard State Soil Conservation Districts Act be signed into law by all state governors. This act gave states a step-by-step guide to create conservation districts and listing their powers and responsibilities.

“Land must be nurtured; not plundered and wasted.” – Hugh Hammond Bennett.

source: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/history/brief-history-nrcs

During every four (4) year election cycle, the three (3) elected district director seats are filled with newly elected soil and water district directors in every county of our 50 states. As Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District Directors, we are responsible for the conservation work within the boundaries of Loudoun County. The mission of the District is to provide leadership in recognizing and addressing soil and water conservation issues and problems, both existing and potential, and to promote and develop education and technical programs which will meet the agricultural and urban conservation needs of our District.

About

A few items about me

Soil & Water Advocate.

As a soil and water advocate, my objective is to actively engage in county policy conversations that center on the best practices that support educational and technical programs concerning the conservation of soil and water resources.

Birthday: 8 December 1962
Phone: 703 346 1564
City: Ashburn, Virginia

Age: 60
Email: info@clarkeforloudounsoil.org
Website: https://clarkeforloudounsoil.org

As I have grown throughout my life I have become more grateful to have had parents that exposed the benefits of eating well-rounded meals that included different types of fruits and vegetables. In NYC, we had weekly trips to fresh food markets that I and my brother begrudingly visted on Saturdays. I now happily visit as many farms and farmer's markets as I can giving thanks to the farmers and their teams for bringing their wonderful fresh products to market. In 2020, the newly implemented COVID protocols allowed me to "Work from Home" enabling me to have a little more time to continue my life learning activities. I luckily saw a lecture that spoke to the benefits of having healthy diverse agricultural soils. As an engineer who loves chemistry and biology, I curiously learned as much as I could. Then, I began making phone calls which include a conversation with the Virginia state agronomist, master gardeners and local farmers. In 2021, I began visiting farms attending virtual conferences for Midwestern Farmers and ultimately got in touch with Jim Hillery, a past Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) agent. Jim introduced me to the monthy Loudoun soil & water conservation district meetings and other soil and water events in and around Loudoun county. Understanding the benefits reducing rooftop runoff, maintaining low levels of herbicides and pesticides, making sure your dog's poop is properly placed in sealed biodegradable bags helps to protect our watershed. Judiciously diverting food waste away from county landfills back to farms is one way to maintain our prime Loudoun county soils and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Resume

Pertinent information about me.

Summary

Derrick D. Clarke

How do you compost?

I have a passion for stewardship and sustainability activities
I am commited to support nature through science and science through nature
I am community-focused through service
I am accountable
I am a charter member of Sigma Mu Mu Chapter of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
I am a member of The Friends of Thomas Balch Library
I am an At-Large member of the Loudoun County Heritage Commission
Fun Fact: I am DJ BiFocals
I am an independent voter
There are so many ways we can help our community "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" for a positive impact on our soil and water resources.

Soil & Water Experience

Farm Visits

2021 - Present

Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Kentucky

Conducted the 2021 Agile Program Increment with HS interns at the New AG school conference center at Fabbioli Cellars
Attended the July 2021 Rogue Food Conference at the Polyface Farm in Stauton, Virginia
Lost Corner Farm in Leesburg, Virginia
2022 Began attending monthly LSWCD meetings in Leesburg, Virginia
2022 Began attending monthly Loudoun County Conservation and Preservation meetings in Purcellville, Virginia
Attended the 2022 Ag Tech Conference at the Middleburg Agrculture Research & Extension Center (MAREC) in Middleburg, Virginia
Conducted the Loudoun County Co-Creating Our County Event at the Franklin Park Arts Center in Purcellville, Virginia
Attended the 2023 Potomac Watershed Roundtable Meeting at the Powers Farms and Brewery in Midland, Virginia
2023 Conservation in Loudoun Fair
2023 Provided public comments as to the benefits of maintaining 70% of Loudoun Prime Soils during board of supv. meeting at Loudoun County Government Center
Attended many Virtual conferences that covered topics that dealt with restoring our relationships with soil biology and Local ecosystems

Community Action Plan

Enhancing Loudoun County’s Waste Reduction Plan: A Comprehensive Report

Testimonials of Service

Here are a few items from folks that share the same passion about soil & water.

We collect your food waste and turn it into compost. You give it back to our Earth and to your own garden!

Worm Works LLC

Locally Grown Composting Service Company

3000-year-old solutions to modern problems

Dr. Lyla June Johnston

Poet, Musician, & Community Servant

Soil is more than the dirt under our feet and the ground we stand on. It’s a living ecosystem and it impacts our world in more ways than we might think.