Stark SWCD annual banquet held

LOUISVILLE, Ohio – Conservation awards were bestowed Nov. 2 at Stark Soil and Water Conservation District’s 56th annual banquet and meeting.
The meeting, held at Christ United Methodist Church in Louisville, drew 100 people.
Two awards were given out, including 2006 Conservation Development of the Year and 2006 Conservation Farm of the Year.
Development. The 2006 Conservation Development of the Year was given to Windgate Subdivision in Lake Township. Jim Vorndran and Bill Graff accepted the award on behalf of Kuntz Properties.
Criteria for this award include: exceptional site design (protecting existing natural resources); following local regulations by submitting plans and working with Stark SWCD office on erosion/sediment control and post construction water quality; and good communication among the contractor, developer and Stark SWCD.
Farm. Clardale Farms Inc. received the 2006 Conservation Farm of the Year award. Frank Burkett III accepted the honor on behalf of his grandparents, Dale and Claire Rohr, and uncles Bruce, Dennis and Tim Rohr.
Clardale Farms is located in Lawrence and Jackson townships. It is about 580 acres of crop ground with another 120 acres rented.
Presently, 270 Holsteins are milked and crops grown annually are corn for silage and grain, wheat, soybeans, and alfalfa hay.
Three generations are currently involved in the operation. The farm also supports six full-time and five part-time employees.
Conservation practices installed include: an earthen storage pond, two concrete dry stacks, filter strips and roof run-off management.
Three candidates – Scott Briggs, Jennifer Smith and John Speicher – were running for two board of supervisor seats.
Jennifer Smith, current board chairperson, was re-elected, and John Speicher was elected to fill the seat vacated by Jim Hinderer.
Jim Boedicker, guitarist and singer-songwriter, was the entertainer for the night.