Crossville
Submitted by Lynn Carey, Office Manager, TCDEA Area IV Coordinator
Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District
The Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District (CCSWCD) recently honored Keith Cole as the 2026 Outstanding Conservation Farmer at its Annual Awards Dinner.
Keith and his wife Cindy operate the Cole Livestock beef cattle farm in the Homestead Community of Cumberland County.
Keith, a retired vocational agriculture teacher, manages a registered and commercial beef cow/calf operation which consists mainly of Angus and Simmental cattle. His farming operation consists of approximately 75 acres of pasture, hay and forest.
Some of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that Keith incorporates in his farming operation are a pumping plant, alternative watering systems which includes pipeline and freeze-proof water tanks, heavy use protection areas for feeding pads, nutrient and pest management, cross fencing and rotational grazing,
Keith has utilized the cost-share programs and services available through the Cumberland County SWCD and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. These programs include Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Ag Resources and Conservation Fund program, and most recently the Conservation Stewardship Program to enhance his operation further.
He has done a tremendous job developing his rotational grazing system and managing his livestock operation. He is an outstanding steward of the land.
In addition to his farming operation, Keith’s years as a Vocational Agriculture teacher made a phenomenal impact on the agriculture community by instilling the importance of ag production and conservation in so many ag students.
All programs and services of the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or handicap.
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