CONSERVATION AWARDS
2025 Conservation Awards
The Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District is pleased to announce our 2024 conservation award winners. These winners have gone above and beyond in their service to conservation in Greenville County.
Farmer of the Year - Jessica Gates, Harvest Moon Farm & Flower
Bravo Jessica Gates, the heart and hands behind Harvest Moon Farm and Flower, recognized as Farmer of the Year.
She has demonstrated a commitment to sustainable, mindful farming and has created a business that stands as a model of integrity and resilience. She also provided all the floral centerpieces for this year’s banquet.
Her work reminds us that farming isn’t just about production; it’s about stewardship.
Congratulations to Jessica on the 2025 Farmer of the Year award!
Conservationist of the Year - Haley Denison, Renewable Water Resources
Congratulations to Haley Denison, a Watershed and Natural Resource Specialist at Renewable Water Resources. A graduate of Champlain College with a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy with a minor in law, Haley has since filled many roles related to water quality and watershed conservation.
During her time at Clemson University, she worked with students to design green infrastructure to implement stormwater best management practices on campus.
Currently, she provides strategic and tech support for ReWa’s environmental initiatives. And she partners with the district as a member of the Reedy River Water Quality Group’s Public Outreach Committee.
Educator of the Year - Jaime Hattendorf, J.L. Mann Academy
Kudos to Jaime Hattendorf, a teacher at JL Mann Academy with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction as well as a Masters in Biological Science.
She has been a long-time coach leading teams to the South Carolina Envirothon. The SC Envirothon is a competition that tests students on their knowledge of soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife and a current topic, plus give an oral presentation.
In 2024, JL Mann took home first place in the Current Topics category, and in 2025, the school won third place in Soils.
Congratulations to our 2025 conservation award winners!
Farmer of the Year Winners
Formerly known as Cooperator of the Year
1968 Hoke Smith
1970 Charles Jones
1972 Ralph W. Blakely
1973 Hoke Smith
1974 Lem Dillard
1975 Ben Dillard
1976 J.P. Kellett
1977 L.L. Hyder
1978 Billy Ledford
1979 John F. Lynn, Jr.
1980 Frank Ferguson
1981 Keith Merck
1982 Phillip G. Smith
1983 J. A. Goodwin
1984 Richard T. Donald
1985 Grady M. Jones
1986 Thomas D. Cooper
1987 Dr. W.N. Gressett
1988 Clyde & Carl Chapman
1989 Maurice B. Henson
1990 Artie McCall
1991 Frank Ferguson
1992 Robert Estelle – BJU Dairy Farm
1993 L.L. Hyde Farms
1994 Tommy & Charles Fisher – Fisher Brothers Farms
1995 Joe Burdette
1996 Charles Max Laye
1997 Dr. George Smith
1998 Shirley Brown & Doris Blackmon - Famoda Farms
1999 J.D. Dill
2000 Dr. William Gressette
2001 Tom Trantham – Twelve Aprils Dairy
2002 Mark Turner
2003 John Kuykendall
2004 Stephanie Clark – Riverdale Farms
2005 Jerry Munns – Big Sky Farm
2006 Charles Cox
2007 Bob & Claire Bradbery
2008 Bobby Rice – American Breeding Services Global
2009 Tim Ayers
2010 James Brannan
2011 Donnie King
2012 Davis Dairy
2013 Arthur M. (“Mickey”) Fisher – Granjammer’s Farm
2014 Tankersley Brothers
2015 Wilson Farms
2016 Sam Howard
2017 Debbie Roe
2018 Bryan and Margaret Harrison
2019 Jim Blackwell
2020 Eugene Roe
2021 (no awards - pandemic)
2022 Stephens Gregory
2023 Danielle Pereira - Farm in the Wildwood
2024 CE and Rachel Lawton