The annual Kosciusko County SWCD meeting and banquet recognizes achievements and leadership of individuals. Shown are those recipients. From left are Brent Wood accepting the Forestry Award on behalf of Juanita Beeler; Rod Metzger and Gary Spangle, Metzger Cattle Company, Conservation Farmer of the Year; Glenn Pfleiderer, Environmental Enhancement Award; and Peggy and Garwin Eaton, Eaton Grain Farms LLC, recipients of the River Friendly Farmer award. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Celebrating the start of its 58th year at its annual meeting and banquet, the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District focused on local achievements and leadership Tuesday evening. The event was held at 2517, Warsaw.

Once again four individuals from Wawasee High School were recognized as the county’s top high school soil judgers. Sarah Harden, Mason Germonprez, Kevin Schlipf and Jared Templin were honored. Each year SWCD acknowledges the dedication of the top soil judgers.

Four members of the Wawasee FFA Soils Judging Team were recognized by the Kosciusko County SWCD at its annual meeting, as the county’s top high school soil judgers. Shown from left are Sarah Hardin, Mason Germonprez and Kevin Schlipf. Not shown is Jared Templin. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Other individuals were also recognized with such awards as the River Friendly Farmer, Environmental Enhancement, Forestry, Conservation Farmer of the Year and this year a certificate of appreciation was presented to an individual who stepped forward when needed.

Garwin Eaton of Eaton Grain Farms, was among 59 farmers chosen statewide for the River Friendly Farmer Award. This award recognizes farmers who implement conservation practices protecting and enhancing Indiana’s rivers, lakes and streams. The award is based on nine criteria rating conservation practices, such as erosion control and nutrient and pest management. Potential recipients are nominated by the local SWCD and winners selected by a state panel.

Glenn Pfleiderer received the Environmental Enhancement Award. This award recognizes exceptional efforts to enhance natural landscapes, habitats, water quality or soil health. Pfleiderer transformed the land on his 75 acres in Jackson Township through tree plantings, wetland restoration, wildlife habitat enhancement and enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program. He participates in field days and workshops continuing to learn more about ways to manage his land with conservation in mind.

Juanita Beeler believes in the conservation and wise use of her woodland acres in Monroe Township. This belief earned her the Forestry Award. A wooded buffer is maintained on the east side of Sellers Lake, enhancing soil and water resources. She has planted additional trees in memory of her husband, Harold, for a total of 34 acres. Plans are for these woodlands include enrolling in a conservation program to allow long term protection.

The Conservation Farmer of the Year award was presented to the Metzger Cattle Company, founded in 1966, from the Claypool area. Conservation practices are implemented in several areas of the farm, improving soil health and water quality. Cover crops are used on a majority of the cropped acres and no-till planting used on many acres. Manure management was carried out in the cattle operation preventing nutrients from leaving cattle lots and take advantage of fertilizer value.

Bill Henthorn, of Seymour Midwest Rake, was presented a certificate of appreciation. Finding itself without a facility to storage and package trees for the annual tree sale program in 2014, Henthorn donated warehouse space to SWCD for this purpose.
The meeting also included the annual election of SWCD board members. Jamie Scott was re-elected to the board for a fifth term. He currently serves as the local SWCD board chairman as well as vice president of the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

A SWCD year in Review was presented by Darci Zollman, program administrator. Zollman noted the county was one of the busiest districts in the state. Complete details of the year were published Jan. 28, in the SWCD annual resource report in ‘the PAPER’ information can also be found at www.kosciuskoswcd.org.

Zollman went over the various watershed projects: Mississippi River Basin Initiative Eel River Project; Middle Eel River Watershed Project, Tippecanoe River/Walnut Creek Initiative; receipt of two Clean Water Indiana Grants; Conservation Innovation Grant; Lake And River Enhancement grant for the Tippecanoe Watershed; Stormwater Pollution Preservation Plan; and Conservation Cropping System Initiative.

She also spoke of the educational programs which included youth programs, two rafting programs, training workshops, pasture training, cover crop workshop and upcoming contractor’s workshop; forestry field day, Ag Forum; and Eel River Canoe float.