The Logan County Conservation Districts held their annual Environmental & Agricultural Awards Banquet on April 9, at Logan County High School. The winning essay was read by this year’s District Winner Ethan Mullen from Adairville Elementary.

Awards were presented by the Conservation Districts to Franklynn Farms as Outstanding Conservation Farmer. They have done an outstanding job in implementing conservation practices on their farm and do an outstanding job in conservation tillage.

The Districts presented the City of Auburn, Auburn’s Tourism Commission and Auburn’s Historical Society the Beautification Award for the beautification of the City of Auburn.

For the first time, the Natural Resources Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Maxine Hinton. Ms. Hinton has been active for the past 20 years in sponsoring Farm City Week Tours, Environmental & Agricultural Field Days at Diamond Springs, hosting the first Farm Safety Day in Logan County and dedicated service to her community.

The Outstanding Conservation Teacher Awards were presented to Karen Hughes, Diane Pardue, Laura Vaught and Jan White. They have been active in participating in environmental & agricultural field days, the art & writing contest and having the districts come and speak to their classrooms on the latest current environmental issue.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Bill Baker, Division of Water for his many years of dedicated service in helping Logan County landowners.

The following district supervisors were recognized for their years of service: Earl Costellow, 45 years; James Simmons, 25 years; Keith Blewett, John Ferris and Obie Van Cleave, 10 years of service.

Marie Epley was recognized for her 5 years of dedicated service as a district employee.

The Mud River Watershed Conservancy District recognized Neal Grayson for his 52 years of dedicated service as a director. He is an original board member from March 17, 1957 and still an active board member today.

A special presentation was made in memory of William S. Johnson to the Johnson family. The William S. Johnson Memorial Scholarship was then presented to Michael Haley, a senior attending Logan County High School and the son of Judy & Melvin Haley of Auburn, KY by the Johnson Family and John Ferris, District Supervisor.

The Conservation District & Area Art Winner was Davis Moore from Auburn Elementary. The theme for this year’s contest was “Working Trees: Kentucky’s Renewable Future.” The contest is sponsored by the Courier Journal, KY Farm Bureau and the Conservation Districts. All Conservation Art & Writing winners received a trophy, t-shirt and a certificate from the Logan Conservation Districts.

The Environmental & Agricultural Banquet was a huge success and the Conservation Districts would like to thank the Logan County FFA for the beautiful hanging baskets.