WHEREAS, Maxwell Winn Watkins, Jr., a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, esteemed farmer, and treasured member of the Dinwiddie County community, died on June 10, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Maxwell Watkins was a seventh-generation farmer who grew his first crops at the age of 15 and began farming alongside his father after earning a state Future Farmers of America degree in 1979; and

WHEREAS, Maxwell Watkins assumed full responsibility of Watkins Farm in Dinwiddie County in 1994 and over the next 30 years specialized in diversifying his crop selections, including tobacco, cotton, soybeans, wheat, and pumpkins, to maximize yields and profits in the face of environmental and market conditions; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his accomplishments, Maxwell Watkins was the recipient of several awards over the years, including the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award for Virginia in 2012; and

WHEREAS, with his extensive expertise, Maxwell Watkins was a valuable and respected voice on various local committees, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency for Dinwiddie County, the board of directors of the Appomattox River Soil and Water Conservation District, and the board of the Dinwiddie Industrial Development Authority; and

WHEREAS, Maxwell Watkins gave generously of his time to help others and supported the local agricultural community in his area by regularly mentoring and assisting his fellow farmers; and

WHEREAS, Maxwell Watkins will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 41 years, Susan; his sons, Nicholas and Cody, and their families; his mother, Judy; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Maxwell Winn Watkins, Jr., a cherished member of the Dinwiddie County community who was an inspiration to all who knew him; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Maxwell Winn Watkins, Jr., as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.