SSWCD awards scholarship

Published 5:06 pm Wednesday, August 7, 2019

The Southside Soil and Water Conservation District (SSWCD) awarded the Joe and Helen Vaden Educational Scholarship to one deserving student in May.

The scholarship is named in memory of Joe Vaden and his wife, Helen. During World War II, Joe served under General George Patton in the Italian Campaign. After his tour of duty, he went to work as a soil scientist for the USDA where he mapped the soils in Charlotte County. When he was promoted to the State Agronomist, he had to leave his home county of Charlotte and relocate to Richmond. Upon his retirement, he returned to Keysville and served on the Southside Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors for many years. He believed that education is essential to preserving the environment and wanted to pass the torch to another generation of conservationists. His wife, Helen, supported Joe’s love of conservation.

The 2019 winner of the Joe and Helen Vaden Educational Scholarship is Kate Pugh of Charlotte County.