Sundance Valley Farm Named Ashland SWCD's 2026 Cooperator of the Year

Sundance Valley Farm of Greenwich has been been unanimously selected as Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District’s (SWCD) Cooperator of the Year for  2026 Sundance Valley Farm will be recognized during Ashland SWCD's Annual Meeting and Conservation Chat: Forest to Flask on Nov. 9 at Mount Vernon Estates in Ashland.

The Cooperator of the Year award recognizes individuals and operations that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to conservation stewardship, environmental education and the responsible management of natural resources. According to Ashland SWCD Director Jane Houin, thanks to the Heath White family, Sundance Valley Farm’s impact extends far beyond the boundaries of his farm.

"While Heath has done remarkable conservation work at Sundance Valley Farm, what truly stood out to our board was his passion for sharing what he's learned with others," Houin said. "He has generously opened his farm to the public, hosting two Conservation Chats focused on pollinator habitat and conservation practices, and he welcomed students and advisors from across the county for the 2025 Ashland County FFA Soils Contest. His enthusiasm for educating others and inspiring stewardship is contagious."

For White, the recognition is humbling because he views his efforts through a different lens.

"I don't view the work I've done on the farm as 'conservation,'" White said. "My overriding goal is to do what I can to be a good steward of the property and leave it to future generations in better condition than when I acquired it."

That stewardship journey began with education. Before undertaking major projects, White spent more than a year studying the history and ecology of his property, attending workshops, reading extensively and consulting experts from a variety of backgrounds.

"I wanted to understand why things were the way they were, how they got that way, how to differentiate desirable from undesirable, and determine what I can or should do," he said. Along the way, White gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of learning from the past.

"It is important to acknowledge and recognize the mistakes of the past if we don't want to repeat them," he said. "What are we still doing today that will create tomorrow's problems? What is being taught to today's landowners that tomorrow's owners will pay dearly for?"

Over the years, White has invested thousands of hours restoring native habitat, controlling invasive species and improving the ecological health of his property. His approach is rooted in a simple philosophy: prioritize actions that create the greatest overall benefit.

"One example of this is constantly eliminating non-native invasive species and replacing them with as much diversity of native species as possible," White said. "Increasing the diversity of plants has noticeably increased the diversity of insects, birds and other species."

His commitment to stewardship also extends to the farm's agricultural acres, where management changes have helped reduce erosion, improve soil health and create more sustainable long-term outcomes. Despite his accomplishments, White remains grounded.

"In short, I am human and will make plenty of mistakes in what I do," he said. "I can only hope to make far more good decisions than poor ones."

That willingness to learn, adapt and share knowledge with others is exactly what makes White such a deserving recipient of the district's highest conservation honor. White believes education is one of the most powerful conservation tools available to landowners.

"I believe landowners want to do the right thing and don't want to destroy their property intentionally," he said. "By educating them that there are issues that should be addressed and offering them some tools to work with, I think more people would make better decisions and put forth more effort in improving their property."

Houin agrees.

"Conservation is about more than practices on the ground; it's about building a culture of stewardship," she said. "Heath has demonstrated that one person can make a tremendous difference, not only by improving their own property, but by encouraging others to think differently about the land they care for. We are honored to recognize Sundance Valley Farm as our 2026 Cooperator of the Year."

This year’s Ashland SWCD Annual Meeting will look different than in years past. White traditional held in August in conjunction with Ashland County Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting, this year’s event will be entirely focused on Ashland SWCD and will be held in conjunction with the district’s November Conservation Chat: Forest to Flask.

The event will feature outstanding conservation activities and cooperator over the last year as well as feature a look at the white oak bourbon crisis including a look at how woodland owners can improve their white oak stands as well as bourbon tasting featuring local distiller Minglewood Distilling. Reservations are required and can be made at foresttoflask.eventbrite.com

Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District works with landowners, farmers, businesses and community partners to protect and improve Ashland County's soil, water and natural resources through education, technical assistance and conservation leadership.