WALNUT CREEK, Ohio – The focus was on youth at the 55th Holmes County Soil and Water Conservation District annual meeting held at the Carlisle Village Inn at Walnut Creek.
Dale Beachy was honored with the Conservation Farm of the Year award. Beachy, with his father Jake, has been involved in farming and working with the conservation district for many years.
They practice conservation cropping, pasture management and no-till practices.
They also put in a spring development and poultry composter.
Student participation. “A highlight of our educational activities each year is the Tom Graham Fifth Grade Conservation Farm Tour,” said Gary Mast, secretary. “Following the tour, the students are asked to write an essay about what they have learned. Essays are entered with no names for judging.”
The top three essays receive trophies and the first place winner reads the essay at the banquet. Both the 2001 and 2002 essay winners were honored since the banquet, formerly held in August, was moved to November this year.
The 2001 students receiving trophies were Emily White, Millersburg Elementary, first; Aaron Duarte, Walnut Creek Elementary, second; and Aaron Mast, Berlin Elementary, third.
Winning trophies for 2002 essays were Joey Alexander, Killbuck Elementary, first; Quin Strouse, Millersburg Elementary, second; and Janelle Miller, Winesburg Elementary, third.
Trees, appreciation. Dick Potts received special recognition for his work with trees on his farm in Holmes County. The Potts’ farm was named the Ohio and regional Tree Farm of the Year.
Holmes Limestone Company of Walnut Creek, Ohio, was given an appreciation award for its reclamation work at the Walnut Creek Coal Mine.
Jim Crosky Jr. was elected to another three-year term as a board member.
