GRAND RAPIDS – The Wood Soil and Water Conservation District celebrated 60 years and presented several
awards earlier this month at its annual meeting and awards banquet held at Nazareth Hall in rural Grand
Rapids.
Among the top awards presented were the Farm Beautification Award to Gary and Marlene Reynolds of Wayne;
the Outstanding Cooperator of the Year award to the Jonathan "Jody" Haines farm; and Friend of
the District awards to State Representative Randy Gardner and Congressman Bob Latta.
In addition Ronald Dyal along with David and Barbara Knepper were recognized for their conservation
efforts with the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, or simply CREP Achievement award; and Rebecca
Brinker, a senior at Bowling Green State University was awarded the $1,000 John Hirzel Memorial
Scholarship. The Reynolds family was recognized for a variety of criteria in choosing the beautification
award. According to their introduction, "The Reynolds’ farmstead not only meets but exceeds the
qualifications for this award.
Among items considered are condition of buildings, care and upkeep of the garden and lawn, landscaping,
use of windbreaks, absence of unnecessary equipment and overall appearance.
The Haines Farm is located in Henry Township and was selected as the cooperator award recipient. The
family farm operation involves row crops, small grains, hay, straw, cover crops and beef cattle. The
farm encompasses more than 900 acres in Wood County including acreage in Liberty Township.
The farm utilizes reduced tillage and no-tillage practices in their farming along with cover crops when
the soil is worked for manure incorporation.
With the assistance of the USDA-NRCS EQIP program, the farm has installed a manure storage structure and
covered exercise lot. They also have installed more than 10 acres of CREP buffers along streams.
Gardner accepted his Friend of the District award for his legislative work in both the Ohio House and
Senate. According to his introduction, he was a champion of the Lake Erie CREP,
| Randy Gardner |
It was noted that funding was realized through Gardner’s efforts, more than $1 million dollars would not
have been funded to Wood County participants.
Latta was unable to attend and Andy Lorenz accepted on his behalf.
Latta is a member of the House Committed on Agriculture, among other duties. He previously, like Gardner,
served in both the Ohio House and Senate. Latta also is a former Wood County Commissioner.
His introduction indicated he is a sportsman committed to wildlife and the outdoors, and was instrumental
in sponsoring the Bald Eagle license plate for Ohio.
The CREP award, also called a "buffer award" recognizes outstanding conservation efforts to
protect and
enhance Ohio’s soil and water resources.
Kris Swartz has served as a supervisor for the district since 1995 and was recognized with a 15-year
service award. He also was re-elected to another term. Bernie Scott was recognized with a 10-year
service award as a supervisor.
Brinker is majoring in environmental science at BGSU.
Each family in attendance received a commemorative metal flag to mark the 60th anniversary.
David Hanselmann, chief of the Ohio Division of Soil and Water Districts was on hand to help celebrate
the six decades.
He indicated Wood County was one of the first districts to organize a local district which helps connect
the people of the county to federal programs through the USDA.
"After 60 years conservation districts still play an important role to assist farmers,"
Hanselmann said.
Over 60 years, he indicated the roles have changed to a broader perspective in environmental education,
but is still tied to the land.
"Sixty years is quite a milestone," he said.
He also told those gathered "We often hold up the example of Wood County as what other counties
should be doing."
Gary and Marlene Reynolds
