State conservation awards to be presented at SWCD Annual Conference Jan. 12

Indianapolis – Some of Indiana's top conservation honors will be presented at the 67th Annual Conference of Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), The Power of Conservation: Investing in Districts. The venue is the Conservation Awards Banquet on Tuesday evening, January 12, at 6 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Indianapolis. The conference itself runs from January 11-13, 2010.

"This is one of the highlights of the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts' (IASWCD) year when we are able to shine the spotlight on outstanding conservationists on a statewide level," said Paula Baldwin, IASWCD president.

The Conservation Farmer of the Year Award honors Hoosier farmers who actively incorporate and practice conservation on the land. Five state winners will be recognized. The award is sponsored by the Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. and Indiana Prairie Farmer Magazine. They are:

• Robert Dunbar, Boone County SWCD,
• Dennis Dickman, Decatur County SWCD,
• Lange Farms (Kenneth, Richard and Jim Lange), Dubois County SWCD,
• Robert Brewington, Ripley County SWCD, and
• Steward Kellerman, Tippecanoe County SWCD.

A new award this year will recognize individuals, businesses or organizations that have made an outstanding contribution to soil and water conservation in Indiana. The Friend of Conservation Award is sponsored by the IASWCD and Farm Credit Services of Mid-America. It will be presented to the:

• Student Association for the Environment Club, Logansport High School, Cass County
• Phillip and Susann Wendel, Franklin County
• Mark and Becca Ewing, Knox County,
• Farmland Conservation Club, Randolph County, and
• Meadow Glen Farm, Brian and Melinda Lowry, Scott County

Indiana’s District Showcase Award highlights the successes of four county Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Specifically, the honor showcases how SWCDs are partnering with traditional and nontraditional groups, businesses, government agencies, local officials and volunteers to achieve their conservation goals.

The award is sponsored by the Indiana Conserva-tion Partnership (ICP) which includes the IASWCD, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Division of Soil Conservation, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, State Soil Conservation Board, USDA Farm Service Agency, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Above: Jenny Vogel, NRCS District Conservationist for Jefferson County (left), and
Jerod Chew, ISDA Division of Soil Conservation Director (front right),
listen to speakers at Hardy Lake during a tour of the District Showcase
for Jefferson and Scott County SWCDs in October.

Five SWCDS will be honored as recipients of the District Showcase Award at the 2010 Conservation
Awards banquet. They are the:

• DeKalb County SWCD: Regional Technician Success
• Elkhart County SWCD: Urban Conservation
• Scott/Jefferson County SWCDs: Hardy Lake Sweep, and the
• Tippecanoe County SWCD: Green Burial Project highlighting buffer areas between urban lands and wildlife use areas at the Spring Vale Cemetery

The IASWCD's Supervisor of the Year Award honors Soil and Water Conservation District leaders (supervisors) for their outstanding and exemplary achievements and leadership in the protection and enhancement of Indiana’s soil and water resources. Eight region nominees will be recognized and the state winner will be announced at the Conservation Awards Banquet. The region winners are:

• North-NW region winner, Phillip Brown, Starke County SWCD;
• North-NE region winner, R.D. Wolheter, LaGrange County SWCD;
• South-NW region winner, Roger Verhey, Tippecanoe County SWCD;
• South-NE region winner, Gene Witt, Adams County SWCD;
• North-SW region winner, Steve Stoelting, Clay County SWCD;
• North-SE winner, Eugene (Gene) Meyer, Franklin County SWCD;
• South-SW region winner, David Ellison, Vanderburgh County SWCD; and
• South-SE region winner, David Hoar, Washington County SWCD.

Join over 350 Indiana conservationists January 11-13, 2010 in Indianapolis for the Annual Conference of Indiana SWCDs. Registration is still open online: >> click here to register. For additional information on the 67th annual conference, >>click here or call the Association at 317.692.7325.

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INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

President: Paula Baldwin, Marion Co.
Vice President: Ray McCormick, Knox Co.
Secretary: Jeff Meinders, Ripley Co.
Treasurer: Brian Campbell, Elkhart Co.


REGION DIRECTORS:

Board Roster / Region Map
North-Northwest: Larry Strole, Newton Co.
South-Northwest: Kenny Cain, Montgomery Co.
North-Northeast: Tom Crowe, Allen Co.
South-Northeast: Bobby Hettmansperger, Wabash Co.
North-Southwest: Bob Weaver, Johnson Co.
South-Southwest: Allen Weyer, Dubois Co.
North-Southeast: Brad Dawson, Dearborn Co.
South-Southeast: Brad Ponsler, Jennings Co.

IASWCD STAFF:

Executive Director: Jennifer Boyle Warner, 317.692.7519
Conservation Development Specialist: Janice Bullman, 317.692.7514
Project Assistant: Jaclyn Casale, 317.692.7325
Communications Manager: DeeDee Sigler, 317.692.7374