Jared Morgan, Dickinson County Conservation District Board chairman, provided welcoming and closing remarks during the annual conservation district meeting Thursday night at Sterl Hall in Eisenhower Park. (Photo by Dave Bergmeier)
Six major awards were handed out to producers as well as to top youth who used their creativity to share the message of the importance of stewardship.
The welcome was provided by Jared Morgan, chairman of the conservation district, who thanked people for taking time from their busy schedules to honor those who are conservation oriented. Morgan also introduced special guests and those who work at the conservation district. He recognized Steve Henningsen who retired after 39 1/2 years. Morgan thanked Dickinson County commissioners for providing them with financial resources to carry out programs and local banks for their financial support.
Board treasurer Mitch Wilson provided the invocation.
During the business meeting, both the 2010 annual meeting minutes and the 2011 financial report were approved and the financial report will be forwarded to an auditor for review. Dennis Marston was re-elected to the board of supervisors Francis Anderson was elected to replace Scott Flippo, who opted not to seek re-election.
Poster, limerick and essay awards for youth were announced by Sandra Ifland, who is the conservation district manager.
The Kansas Bankers Conservation Award was awarded to Rano Gruber. His presenter was Max Knopp, Dickinson County key banker.
The Grassland Award was given to the Piper Family Ranch. Accepting the award was family representative Jan Fox of Lowell, Ark. Her presenter was Wilson.
The Young Farmer Conservation Award recipient was Jason Stoffer. His presenter was Greg Legleiter of Frontier Farm Credit.
The Buffer Award recipients were Michael and Martin Durkin. Their presenter was Marston.
The No-Till Farmer Award recipients were Charles “Chuck” and Doran Clemence. Their presenter was Flippo.
The Wildlife Award recipients were Kenneth and Carla Riffel. Their presenter was Matt Gustin, a conservation district board member.
Additional information will be included in a special publication that salutes the awardees, which will be printed and included in an edition in next week’s Abilene Reflector-Chronicle.