Bray receives Conservation Medal from national DAR

Otis Lester Bray was recently honored by National Society Daughter of the American Revolution for his commitment to water conservation over the past 30 years. Bray was awarded the DAR Conservation Medal and was sponsored by the James Waldrop Chapter DAR. Joining Bray at the awards tea were his wife of 57 years, Charlotte, and two of his daughters.

Bray learned the plasticulture and drip irrigation methods, which was developed by the Israelis, while in Michigan in 1967. This system saves 15 to 20 percent of the water used in overhead watering methods and also decreases the amount of fertilizer needed.

In 1978 he began teaching classes at the Fayette County Extension Office. For the last three years he has been the garden advisor for the Fayette County Master Gardeners in their Plant-A-Row for the Hungry project. Last year over 10,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables were harvested and donated to local charities.

The Fayette Samaritans have also benefitted from his teachings when, in 2006, he worked with Scout Troop 211 to plant a garden for them. He instructed the mission team from Lakeside Church at Lake Oconee on a drip irrigation system using bucket kits which they took to Zambia.

This year he is also overseeing a children’s garden at New Hope Baptist Church. Bray says you are never too old or too young to learn something new. Bray, a native of Fayette County, has witnessed the growth of our county and is a strong proponent of conserving our precious resources for the future.

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