February 15, 2022 Orlando, FL: Robbie Faust, owner of Bellflower Farms located in Dawson, Georgia has been named the 2021 Friend of Conservation by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) for his outstanding contributions to natural resource conservation. He was honored at the NACD Annual Meeting held in Orlando, FL on February 14.
Pictured: Mark Masters (GACD President), Mike Faust, Nancy Faust, Tillman Faust, Robbie Faust, Jessi Faust, JW Faust, Michael Crowder (NACD President).
Not pictured: Brooks Faust
Robbie Faust is a third-generation farmer from Terrell County in Southwest Georgia. He and his family farm 1,800 acres of cotton, corn, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. For Faust and his family, soil health is a primary factor in decision making on their farm. Bellflower Farms is home to an impressive e conservation portfolio that includes strip-till and no-till cover crops, terraces, grassed waterways, low pressure drip nozzles and more. As an early adopter of conservation practices, Robbie is always willing to share lessons learned and participate in projects that promote conservation. In 2020, Robbie entered into a partnership with the Lower Chattahoochee River Soil and Water Conservation District, Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council, University of Georgia Extension and USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service to participate in a multi-year cover crop outreach and education project, hosting field days on the research and demonstration plots created through the project. Robbie and Bellflower Farms are true friends of conservation.
Faust was also named the 2021 Conservationist of the Year by the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts. He will be honored at their Annual Meeting in April.
Pictured left to right: Tillman Faust, Robbie Faust, Brooks Faust, Jessi Faust, J.W. Faust
The Lower Chattahoochee River Soil & Water Conservation District had their 59th Annual Conservationist of the Year Banquet on February 22nd to honor all the county-level awardees for their conservation efforts. Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA) made a special appearance to honor all the awardees in addition to giving a special recognition to Mark Masters and Robbie Faust by presenting them each with a plaque. He thanked them for their leadership and strong representation of Southwest Georgia and reminded the audience of the importance of conserving our natural resources. Mr. Bishop represents Georgia’s Second Congressional District and currently serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and as Chair of the Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee.
Pictured is Mark Masters, Congressman Sanford Bishop, and Robbie Faust.