Submitted photo
The Webb Farm was honored as North Carolina’s Conservation Business of the Year at the North Carolina Wildlife Federation Annual Banquet on Sept. 6 at Embassy Suites in Research Triangle Park. Front row, left to right: Brett Webb, Olivia Webb, Debbie Webb, Bill Webb, Johnnie Webb and Holly Webb. Back row, left to right: Ashley Davis, Bill Robertson, Jenna Webb, Patty McIntyre and Danny Hawks.
Owner praised for ‘turning back the clock’
Local attorney Bill Webb packed up his family and headed to Raleigh on Saturday to receive statewide honor for wildlife conservation leadership.
The Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award honors individuals, governmental bodies, associations and others who have exhibited an unwavering commitment to conservation in North Carolina. The award is presented by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation.
The Webb Farm is a 1,200-acre commercial quail hunting preserve in Ellerbe. The farm has been in the Webb family since 1906.
In his acceptance speech, Webb credited his wife, Debbie, with handling the day-to-day business operations, along with the hard work of his employees and support from his children.
“But the real reason I am up here, the real glue that has held all of this together over the years, is my mother,” Webb said. “This award is for you, Mom.”
Edward Nickens, editor-at-large of Field & Stream and host of Total Outdoorsman Challenge and The Gun Nuts, served as emcee and master of ceremonies. He detailed Webb’s efforts to restore quail in large numbers to his preserve — efforts that have gained national attention for the farm and many, many loyal customers for the business.
“Webb wants to replicate as closely as possible the wild bird experience of yore, and goes to great effort and no small expense to breed birds with a unique surrogation method, and raise the quail in flight pens situated in the wide open,” Nickens said. “The result is that many hunters wonder if Webb has turned back time.”
For more information on the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, visit www.ncwf.org. For more information on the Webb Farm, visit www.thewebbfarm.com.
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