CONSERVATION DISTRICT CELEBRATES AWARD WINNNERS LOCALLY GROWN FOOD News Release: December 8, 2010 Contact: Elizabeth Witte, Communications Director/Tourism (724-852-5210)
WAYNESBURG, PA — The Greene County Conservation District hosted its annual conservation awards luncheon Nov. 9 at the Greene County Career and Technology Center. Students in the center’s culinary arts department prepared a meal consisting of locally grown food, such as beef, lamb, eggs, squash, tomatoes, celery, apples and potatoes.
The Conservation District handed out several awards at the luncheon. The Cooperator of the Year was awarded to Jeanne Williams of Red Barn Farm, Freeport Township. The farm is the first operation owned by a female to win this award.
"It is an honor to receive this award," Williams said. "Our natural resources are under assault on many fronts – water, air and soil – and I am glad that I can be proactive in this fight to preserve and manage these resources."
In 2005, Williams bought seven meat goats and became a cooperator with the Conservation District. Today, her herd has swelled to as many as 100 goats, and Williams has given back to the land, installing a 70-acre rotational grazing system, three agricultural crossings, four spring developments and 2,800 feet of stream-bank fencing, creating two acres of riparian buffer and 40 acres of woodlot exclusion areas to promote healthy woodlots. Williams also treated her winter feeding area with subsurface drains and an improved access road.
Williams has developed an Act 38 nutrient management plan for her farm and has taken advantage of the state Resource Enhancement and Protection tax credit program, the Conservation District mini-grant program, the Partners for Fish and Wildlife fencing program and the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
Williams direct markets all of her products and supplied many of the items for the luncheon. She has diversified her production to include vegetables, laying hens and broilers, both of which are pastured, and maple syrup with her husband, Llew, who produces between six to 10 gallons a year. Red Barn Farm Maple Syrup is used in Williams’ baked goods that she sells at the farmer’s market in Morgantown year-round.
The Forest Conservationist award was given to James and Barbara Butler of Strath an Dé Farm, Center Township, and presented by retired Service Forester Bill Wentzel. The Butlers have been enrolled in the Forest Stewardship Program since 1999. In 2008, they updated their plan and implemented a Silvo-pasturing system utilizing their Scottish Highland cattle, grapevine cutting, crop tree thinning, and large tree and seedling plantings along a riparian area. The Butlers open their property to Scouts, FFA’s and church groups to learn from and enjoy the hiking trails and meditation venues.
Karlie Hoy, of the Waynesburg FFA, was recognized with the Outstanding Conservation Speaker award for winning the local FFA public speaking contest. Hoy took her speech to the state FFA competition, where she finished in third place. Her parents, Debbie and Murray Hoy, accepted the award on her behalf; Hoy is currently a freshman at the University of Rochester and studying chemistry.
The Carmichaels Area High School Envirothon team was recognized for winning the county contest in the spring and representing Greene County in the state competition, finishing second. Alpha Natural Resources provided scholarships to students on the first-place county team. Lisa Snider, Conservation District manager, reported that 90 percent of the students who receive a scholarship use it for higher education, and 75 percent of those students pursue a degree in an environmental, agricultural or science-based field.
A Special Recognition award was presented to Robert Born, Waynesburg FFA advisor, for 34 years of promoting agricultural education and the FFA to the youth of Greene County.
Finally, Service awards were presented to Director Emeritus J. Robert Rice (45 years), Fiscal Officer Becky Salosky (30 years) and District Manager Lisa Snider (10 years).
For more information on the Conservation District awards, call 724-852-5278.
Pictured above in photo 1, from l. to r., are Laurel Rush, Conservation District agricultural technician, Williams and Conservation Board Chair Bradley Eisiminger.
Pictured above in photo 2, from l. to r., are Director Emeritus J. Robert Rice (45 years), Conservation Board Chair Bradley Eisiminger, Fiscal Officer Becky Salosky (30 years) and District Manager Lisa Snider (10 years).]
Pictured above in photo 3, from l. to r., are Robert Born, Waynesburg FFA advisor and Conservation Board Chair Bradley Eisiminger.
Click on images above to enlarge photos.
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For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
