Submitted photo | Bradley Boyd

Bradley Boyd

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After a brief respite getting personal affairs in order, Bradley Boyd of Mount Airy has thrown his hat in the ring for the Soil & Water Conservation Supervisor seat.

“I wanted to run last time but I just had so much going on in my life with getting married, buying a house and being in the middle of renovations of the Cross Creek golf course,” Boyd explained. He has served as a golf course superintendent. Boyd is married to Lana Boyd and has two stepchildren, Lauren and Mason Chaney.

Question: What interested you in running?

Answer: “Ever since I could vote I’ve wanted to run for this,” said Boyd. “I love Surry County and I think my education would be a good asset for the county in this capacity. My bachelor’s degree in turf grass management and my training will be good to put to use to benefit the residents of Surry County.”

Question: What will you improve?

Answer: “I want to try to help Surry County go to using more natural, green and sustainable practices. For example, phosphorus in fertilizers in the light of oncoming regulations from the state in the next two years could be a problem for farmers and the environment,” said Boyd. “Grants are out there to help us get more green and help with the transition to organic fertilizers that are better for the people and the land.”

Question: What are the important issues?

Answer: “I want to try to get agriculture to be more a more green-technology based industry.” said Boyd. “It is important to be able to prove that and help farmers and turn producers in Surry County to make a beautiful place more beautiful. It (adopting new approaches) could be easier, better and more sustainable. I love this industry and so many guidelines have come out in the past year I want to be straightforward and help people. I want to work with extension officers to get more of the word out about what Soil & Water is doing for this county. I want people to understand farming is a big economic factor here. Everything is interconnected some things that work on one crop are bad for another crop.”

Question: Why should you be elected?

Answer: “I have a very great portfolio of education that will be a valuable resource. I am one of 150 certified turf grass pros in the state and I have a passion for agriculture in this county. I want to spend every moment in this position making sure things are managed with the utmost respect for farmers, those with vineyards and turf grass producers and provide them with an explanation of why we’re doing what we do.”

Question: What are your qualifications for this position?

Answer: “I have always loved all aspects of soil, turf and agriculture in general. In addition to holding turf and ornamentals licenses, I am also certified in aquatics and right-of-way chemicals applications per state regulations which will also be a resource for local farmers,” said Boyd. “I have a bachelor’s degree in turf grass management from Penn State University. The gold course industry was one of the first to start building natural buffers between creeks and where chemicals are put down. I can help the county with being eco-friendly in turf and all aspects of crop production.”

Reach David Broyles at dbroyles@heartlandpublications.com or 719-1952.