By Kim Gasuras
Tuesday evening was an eventful one for both the Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District and the Crawford County Farm Bureau. Both agencies elected new officers during their annual meeting, dinner, and awards ceremony at Pickwick Place.
Mike Link received the 2017 Distinguished Service Award from the Farm Bureau after he partnered with the Farm Bureau and the Crawford County Cattlemen’s for the county’s carcass show. He opened his business, Link’s Country Meats, for the event, processed the animals from the fair, and helped educate consumers about meat products. Link is also a major supporter of 4-H and FFA youth in the county and surrounding areas.
Larry Leonhardt and Adam Spiegel were elected as new officers to the Soil and Water District Board. Their terms will begin on Jan. 1 when the terms of Rose Hartschuh and Tom Miller expire.
“I am proud to be a part of this and to be able to help the land and help with all practices,” said Leonhardt.
Spiegel said he is happy to be able to serve the community in his new role.
Hartschuh said the two agencies meet once a year to recognize the volunteers who work to be great stewards of the environment and agriculture in Crawford County.
The Farm Bureau’s mission is to forge a partnership between farmers and consumers that meets the consumer needs, addresses the public’s expectations and also ensures agricultural prosperity.
The Soil and Water Conservation District 2017 Outstanding Cooperators this year are Barry Smith and Todd Smith, who have been cooperators since 2012. Their practices include cover crops, conservation plans, drainage water management, minimum till, no-till, grid soil tests, variable rate nutrient management, grass waterways and grass filter strips on their own.
For more information about the Soil and Water Conservation District, visit http://www.crawfordswcd.org.
Visit the Farm Bureau at https://ofbf.org/counties/crawford.