Elyssa McFarland, Louisa County

Farms: Corn, soybeans, cow-calf operation

Conservation practices used: Cover crops, terraces, grass waterways, no-till

Value of conservation: Conservation is an essential part of our operation in maintaining the soil resources that have been here for generations. Whether it's increasing organic matter in our sandy soils or protecting the fields that have more hills and highly erodible soils, the cover crops in particular play a unique role in several areas of our farm.

“The soils are literally our farm. That's our top resource and I'm very passionate about taking care of and protecting that resource.”

Advice for other farmers: Use the resources available to you and don't be afraid to try new things. New technologies can be overwhelming, but take the time to learn about them and see what might make sense on your farm.