Shew farms fulltime, producing chickens, beef cattle, corn and hay. He is Wilkes County Farm Bureau president, chairs the Wilkes Voluntary Agricultural District Board (a district initiative), is on the Wilkes Communications Board and is a deacon at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

He graduated from East Wilkes High School and attended Wilkes Community College. Shew is married and has two children and six grandchildren.

Four seek two rarely contested supervisor seats

Claude Shew, Jr. graduated from East Wilkes High School and attended Wilkes Community College. He is married and has two children and six grandchildren.

Four seek two rarely-contested supervisor seats | News

Shew farms fulltime, producing chickens, beef cattle, corn and hay. He is Wilkes County Farm Bureau president, chairs the Wilkes Voluntary Agricultural District Board (a district initiative), is on the Wilkes Communications Board and is a deacon at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Claude Shew, Jr. farms full time, producing chickens, beef cattle, corn, and hay.

Soil and Water (336-838-3622 ext 3)
Charlie Sink (Elected 11/2024) Claude Shew, Jr. (Elected 11/2022)
701 6th Street 955 Dellaplane Rd
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 Roaring River, NC 28669

Elected Officials Serving Wilkes County (PDF)

Claude was elected to the Wilkes Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor position in 2022.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Shew said he is especially interested in the district board’s educational work through schools and other programs that raise awareness of the importance of agriculture and soil and water conservation.

He said lack of knowledge of agriculture among young people concerns him. “They need to know where their food comes from” because this impacts theirs views about agriculture and conservation as they grow older.

Prioritizes conservation education through schools and other programs that raise awareness of agriculture, soil conservation, and water conservation.

- Prioritizes conservation education through schools and other programs that raise awareness of agriculture, soil conservation, and water conservation.

Energy & the Environment

As of September 2, 2026, Claude Shew, Jr. did not have a website or any information online.

Administration

Claude Shew, Jr.

Said the district board oversees water-quality initiatives, including programs that help share costs and technical assistance for conservation measures on cattle operations.

Said accomplishments of the board include overseeing water-quality initiatives, including programs that help share costs and technical assistance for conservation measures on cattle operations.

As of September 2, 2026, Claude Shew, Jr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Alejandra Gracias

Walter Ley

He said accomplishments of the board in recent years include overseeing initiatives that help protect water quality, such as cost-share programs and staff technical assistance for fencing, drinkers with wells and other measures on cattle operations.

Shew also noted the board’s assistance with enhancements to a large ditch in North Wilkesboro (between the ABC store and Ferrell Gas) that was considered an eyesore, establishing cisterns at Wilkes middle schools to collect rain water for irrigation, cost-share programs for chicken litter storage facilities.

Brian Lee Parker

- A soil and water conservation district supervisor is 1 member of a board of 5 supervisors that works to improve the soil and water quality in the county through education. 
- The board of supervisors provide technical and financial assistance to help land users maintain their land and surrounding ecosystems. 
- The board of supervisors design long term conservation programs that teach environmental care, pollution reduction, and provide incentives for using these practices, especially for agricultural workers. 
- The board of supervisors provide short term educational services like competitions, field days, and workshops to educate the public on conservation. 
- Soil and water conservation district supervisors are elected to 4 year terms in non-partisan races. However, 2 of the board members are appointed by the state soil and water commission. 

Member of board of supervisors that creates aid programs and educates people on environmental conservation. 