Environmental Law Institute - National Wetlands Awards

Mary and Jay Hardwick are partners in Hardwick Planting Company, which operates on Somerset Plantation, a large family partnership in Newellton, LA. Somerset Plantation is dedicated to achieving and promoting balanced farm ecosystems that are both productive and sustainable. Somerset, led by the Hardwicks, has restored over 450 acres of wetlands on the large family farm, including taking sensitive land out of production along Bayou DuRosset. They have partnered with numerous state and federal agencies to promote sustainable agriculture and conservation methods. Somerset regularly hosts educational tours and workshops, utilizing the farm as a model to demonstrate wetland restoration, crop science, and conservation techniques to both the public and representatives from federal and state agencies.