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Virginia Turfgrass Journal – Julie Holt, Content Director, TheTurfZone.com

The Urban Nutrient Management Coordinator at the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is part of a team that:

• Provides technical assistance to landowners, state agencies, local governments, and certified planners in managing their strategies for fertilizer and other nutrient source application to achieve healthy landscapes while protecting state waters.
• Develops and presents outreach programs and materials for turfgrass and landscape professionals in diverse sectors ranging from golf courses, athletic fields, as well as other public and private green spaces.
• Prepares training tools and helps coduct classes for individuals seeking to become certified nutrient management planners.
• Reviews and approves nutrient management plans.

Anita’s educational background is in horticulture at Virginia Tech. She has worked at production nurseries, in public gardens, as a hort specialist for intellectually and physically challenged adults, and as an adjunct instructor at Germanna Community College.

“I was first employed by DCR as a part-time interpreter at Caledon State Park in King George County and later loved my time as the Chief Ranger there,” Anita says. “Among other things, I was involved with invasive species management and establishing native garden areas.”

From that position, she moved to the Division of Soil and Water Conservation where she helped develop the nutrient management program for state lands in response to 2007 legislation from the General Assembly. This was the beginning of the urban nutrient management program. Anita has spent the last 12 years at the Department of Environmental Quality as a biosolids permit writer. Now, Anita says, “I’m delighted to rejoin the nutrient management team at DCR!” Anita’s unusual claim to Virginia Fame comes courtesy of holding a rather surprising role early in her career. “While working as an electronics technician at Dominion’s Bath County Pump Storage Station, I lived in Goshen, Va. Through a series of unlikely events, I was appointed as the Town’s mayor, the first woman to hold the position, in 1985 when I was 28 years old.”

The 1935 municipal water system had been cited often by the Virginia Department of Health. The Town and its people came together in applying for a federal Community Development Block Grant with huge assistance from the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. In order to qualify for the grant, Goshen needed to bring its entire water system within Town boundaries. The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors was most helpful in the process of allowing Goshen to expand the boundaries. This quadrupled Goshen’s land area and tripled the population. The grant was awarded on Anita’s first application, and Goshen’s water system was brought into compliance.

“I won the next election, but was unable to fulfill the entire term due to my course workload at Virginia Tech,” Anita shared. “That was my only foray into politics!” A term well-served, indeed!

VTC welcomes Anita and looks forward to her continued contribution to the industry and the environment.