Jim Will honored with 2011 State Conservation Award in Ohio

CELINA, Ohio — Jim Will, Mercer County district conservationist, received the 2011 State Conservationist Award for his efforts to get conservation off the ground in Mercer County.

This award is given to one employee of the Natural Resources Conservation Service for his or her outstanding contribution over time to the conservation of natural resources in Ohio.

Great career

Will has been with Natural Resources Conservation Service — formerly the Soil Conservation Service — for 34 years. He started his career as a soil conservationist in Seneca and Huron counties, taking the District Conservationist position in Preble and Clark Counties in 1983. In 1985, Will began as District Conservationist in Mercer County and has been there ever since.

Great job

In a recent conversation with Will’s supervisor, Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations Clifford Thornton, Will said that the favorite part of his job is talking to customers and seeing the conservation practices getting built on the land. The award was presented to Will Dec. 14, by State Conservationist Terry Cosby.