11/08/2023
Win-Win Scenarios and Lessons Learned
During this election cycle, in Loudoun County, Virginia, I received 16,596 votes as a candidate for one of the three seats for “Soil and Water Conservation Director Loudoun District”.
For all of those who supported me, I thank you and express my deepest gratitude. My request is that you continue to support me through my nonprofit AgriCair and the newly elected Soil and Water Conservation Directors here in the Loudoun District: John P. Flannery II, Peter R. Holden and Uzma A. Rasheed.
As an advocate for healthy soil, protection of our watersheds and activities that aid in the reduction of greenhouse gases, I was gently nudged into running for one of the three seats. As an independent voter, I learned that reaching enough people as a new candidate without the endorsements of the democrat or republican party, I would get the opportunity to become known by visiting and talking with county residents during fairs, farmer’s markets, while Shopping, visiting one of the many Loudoun libraries, gas stations, senior centers, and senior residences. One of my visits led me to the Ashburn restaurant, Farm & Fork Kitchen. Farm & Fork Kitchen is owned and operated by Chef Jorge Chicas. Chef Chicas and I spoke to the benefits of diverting food waste from our county landfill and back to the farm via a composting service provider. Through AgriCair, my nonprofit corporation, I brought WormWorks LLC, a Loudoun based composting service provider, and Chef Chicas together. As of September 2023, Farm & Fork Kitchen is now diverting food waste from our Loudoun County landfill to a Middleburg farm. Many of my conversations revealed that there are a significant number of county residents and businesses that have been composting their food waste, to include coffee beans, back to their respective "Home Gardens" or "Home Farms". Wegmans diverts their food waste back to Freestate Farms, an industrial composting facility, in Prince William County. Woo Hoo!!
I learned a lot more about my strengths and weaknesses. I also learned to not take nonresponses too personally. I have a clearer vision of how to be more effective as a campaigner and how to bring awareness to the beneficial role of “Soil and Water Conservation Directors” throughout our Commonwealth. I will continue to support our Commonwealth’s goal to reduce greenhouse gases to NetZero by 2045 through community action and collaboration to ensure our county agricultural resources are coveted and protected by county residents because of what is at stake… loss of healthy soils and water for us, our children, our county due to over development.
I am also grateful for the new friendships I have formed.
I am here by the grace of God! God is working through me as Derrick D. Clarke. Of this, I am certain.
Onto diverting more food waste away from our county landfills!!!
Warmest Regards,
Derrick D. Clarke
