08/12/2026
🌱 Supervisor Spotlight: Buddy Belflower 🌱
We’re excited to introduce Buddy Belflower, a member of the Rutherford County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors and a lifelong farmer and conservationist.
Buddy’s passion for agriculture and conservation began on his father’s farm, where he learned the importance of caring for the land. Throughout his career, he continued learning from the many outstanding farmers he had the privilege of working with, as well as from conservation professionals through his 38 years with the Soil Conservation Service (now the Natural Resources Conservation Service). He retired in 2015 after a rewarding career dedicated to helping landowners implement conservation practices.
During his career, Buddy received numerous awards, including the Central Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District Outstanding Technical Assistance Award and the Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors Superior Professional Support Award. He was also inducted into the Hall County Agricultural Hall of Fame, where he served for many years as the District Conservationist. Of all the recognition he received throughout his career, he is especially proud of the awards presented by Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
After moving to Rutherford County in 2017, Buddy sought out opportunities to remain involved in conservation and was honored to serve on our Board of Supervisors. His conservation philosophy is beautifully captured by Aldo Leopold:
“Conservation means harmony between people and land. When land does well for its owner, and the owner does well by their land; when both end up better by reason of their partnership, we have conservation.”
Today, Buddy enjoys putting that philosophy into practice alongside his son and grandson as they care for their herd of South Poll cattle and implement conservation practices on their farms.
Buddy and his wife, Suzanne, are blessed with a daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. Outside of farming and conservation, they enjoy spending time with their family, tending their garden, hiking and camping throughout beautiful western North Carolina, and traveling with their family.
We are grateful to have Buddy’s experience, knowledge, and lifelong commitment to conservation serving Rutherford County. 🌱
Thank you, Buddy, for your dedication to our land, our farmers, and our community!
