The Logan County Conservation Dist schoricts (South and North) held their annual awards program last week. Assistant District Director Monica Nolan was the master of ceremonies.

The award winners were as follows:

Master Conservationist

The 2024 Master Conservationist Award goes to Hendricks Farms.

Hendricks Farms is owned and operated by Jason, Adam, and Harry Hendricks.

The current group of Hendricks is the eighth generation to farm in this area. Their Grandpa purchased the home place in 1944 and in 2015, they took over the family farm and raised their first year of crops.

These Hendricks bring a lot of knowledge to their farming operation. Harry has an accounting degree from Brescia University, and Adam graduated from Western Kentucky University. After college, Adam worked for Wheat Tech and became a Certified Crop Advisor. They have since brought all this knowledge back to the farm and become full-time farmers.

The Hendricks family farms around 3,200 acers in South Logan of owned and rented land. They raise corn, wheat, and soybeans.

Hendricks Farms has participated in several NRCS conservation programs over the years. Since their start in 2015, Hendricks Farms has partnered with NRCS and completed:

·       126 Acres of Cover Crop

·       2.8 Acers of Water Ways

·       2,496 feet of Diversions and Terraces

·       And 40 Water and Sediment Control Basins

Nolan said, “Logan County Conservation Districts feel that the Hendricks excel in protecting the natural resources and are honored to name them this year’s Master Conservationist of the Year.”

Presenter: Ryan Pendley with NCRS

Teacher of the Year

Each year the Conservation Districts recognize a teacher or educator who has instilled the education of natural resource conservation in their classroom.

“This year we will recognize one teacher for his outstanding efforts to teach our youth the importance of conservation and Agriculture,” Nolan said, “We would like to recognize Mr. Jay Campbell from Logan County High School. Mr. Campbell teaches 9^th through 12^th grade and has around 90 students enrolled in agricultural courses.”

Campbell is also an FFA advisor for Logan County. Logan Conty currently has 285 FFA Members. As a FFA advisor, Campbell encourages students to participate in FFA competitions and take part in a SAE project.

He also coaches the Envirothon Team for Logan County. The Envirothon competition teaches students about Aquatics, Forestry, Wildlife, Soils, and Current Environmental Issues. In 2013, Logan County won the State Envirothon Competition.

Mr. Campbell’s classes assist the Conservation Districts with building bird houses and wrapping the tree seedlings for our annual giveaways. With out his classes help, our giveaways would not be possible.He also teaches shop classes. His students learn to weld and build items such as picnic tables. These skills are great assets to have in the agriculture community.

Mr. Campbell is verry active in the youth livestock shows in Logan County. He is always there to lend a hand and encourage our young people to do their best.

Presenter: Board member Ernie Ezell

District Service Awards

Matthew Rodgers has served five years as a South Logan Conservation District Supervisor. Matt is currently serving as the Treasurer on the South Logan Conservation Board and participates in board meetings as well as supervisor committees, area meetings and state conventions. Matt was recently elected to be the KACD Area 2 Director.

Stephen Taylor has served five years as a North Logan Conservation District Supervisor. Stephen enjoys the outdoors and raising bird dogs. Stephen is active in District Meetings and Committee meetings.

Frank Orndorff has served 10 years as a South Logan Conservation District Supervisor. Frank farms in South Logan where they raise row crops, tobacco, and cattle. Frank is active in many of the Conservation programs. Frank participates in district board meetings, committee meetings, and area meetings.

William S. Johnson Memorial Scholarships

William S. Johnson graduated from the University of Kentucky with an Agriculture degree and then began his career with the Soil Conservation Service.  He retired after 38 years of service. He worked more than 20 years in Logan County as a District Conservationist.  After retirement, he began his second career as a South Logan Conservation District Supervisor.  He served as Chairman of the Board until his passing in 2009. 

Mr. Johnson was very dedicated to the efforts of soil conservation in Logan County.  Among other things, he assisted with many activities for the Conservation Districts and was involved in acquiring the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund grant to purchase the Baker Natural Area.  Mr. Johnson contributed much to the efforts of natural resource conservation in his community. 

In memory of Mr. William S. Johnson, the Conservation Districts offer a $2,500 scholarship to High School students in Logan County.  This year we are honored to give three outstanding students a $2500 dollar scholarship.

The first scholarship recipient is Colby Collins. Colby is te son of Ty and Tammy Collins.

Colby is involved in several extracurricular activities. He is the Treasurer for the Logan County FFA chapter this year. Colby is also a member of FBLA, BETA, FCA, Cougars of Christ, and is the Captain of the Logan County High School basketball team.

Colby plans to attend Western Kentucky University and major in Agronomy. After college, Colby hopes to work with NRCS and become a Soil Conservationist.

The second scholarship recipient is Felix Fernandez- Agustin. Felix is the son of Maria Agustin.

Felix is a hard-working young man. He ownsh is own business, Los 3 Hermanos, and works at Black Lick Cattle Co. and Barrow Farms. Felix is also the captain of Logan County Soccer team and is the Parliamentarian for Logan County FFA Chapter this year.

Felix plans to attend Western Kentucky University and major in Agribusiness and Spanish Communications. Felix is a great asset to the Agricultural community.

The third scholarship recipient is Abigail Walpole. Abbi is the daughter of John and Crystal Walpole.

Abbi grew up working on her family farm and showing cattle and now is a receptionist and farmhand at Knight Electric. Abbi is also very involved in school activities. Abbi is the President of the Logan County FFA Chapter, Treasurer of the Regional FFA Chapter, and a member of FBLA and PAC.

Abbi plans to attend Western Kentucky University in the Fall and major in Agribusiness.

District Director Wesley Wright joined Bill Johnson’s family members in presenting the awards.

Natural Resources Conservation Scholarships

We also offer a scholarship opportunity to college students majoring in agriculture or natural resources. This year we were honored to award three great college students a $1,000 dollar scholarship.

The first scholarship recipient is Jenna Coles. Jenna is the daughter of Jarrod and Joanna Coles. Jenna is attending the University of Kentucky and is majoring in accounting and agriculture economics, with a minor in international business.

Jenna is very active in extracurricular activities. She is involved in UK SGA, UK Agribusiness Club, Sigma Alpha, UK Mock Trail, and UK Collegiate Farm Bureau.

After college, Jenna plans to be an ag attorney or corporate ag accountant.

The second scholarship recipient is Katherine Woodward. Katherine is the daughter of Beverly and the late Alan Woodward. She is attending Murray State University and is majoring in Agricultural Business with a focus in sales and marketing.

Katherine is an Ambassador at the Hutson School of Agriculture and member of the Ag Business Club, as well as the Murray State Collegiate Farm Bureau. Katherine is an Admin Assistant at Murray State University, beekeeper at Murray’s Apiary, and owner of Black Lick Creek Apiary and Market.

After college, Katherine hopes to be an ag sales representative.

The third scholarship recipient is Cade Johnson. Cade is the son of Chris and Alicia Johnson. He is attending Murray State University and is majoring in Horticulture.

Cade is a member of the MSU Horticulture Club, the Wildlife society, Racer Campus Ministry, and Backwoods Hunters and Anglers. Cade also works in the Daran Arboretum.

After college, Cade plans to be a naturalist.

Presenter: Board member Bob Allen

Conservation Art Contest

We will now move into the Conservation Art Contest awards. Every year Logan County participates in the Jim Claypool Art and Writing contest. This year’s theme is Wildlife.  Students took the information they learned form the conservation tabloids and created a poster. The top three posters form each school was entered into our contest.

This year’s district winner is Riley Lipps, from Auburn School.

District Runner up is Jaxson Whiting, from Adairville School.

From Auburn School:

·       2^nd place is Baye Shannon

·       3^rd place is Claire Hill

From Adairville School:

·       2^nd place is Lillie Ann Hall

·       3^rd place is Delaney Wetton

From Chandler School:

·       1^st place is Katherine Anderson

·       2^nd place is Anna Reece McCarley

·       3^rd place is Avery Chapman

Our next awards to be presented are the Conservation Coloring Contest Awards. This is a new contest Logan County started this year for the kindergarten students in the county.

This year’s district winner is Journey Bryant, from Auburn School.

District Runner up is Addison Bond, from Lewisburg School.

From Auburn School:

·       2^nd place is Belle Graham 

·       3^rd place is Sylvia Woodward

From Lewisburg School:

·       2^nd place is Holley Thompson

·       3^rd place is Bransyn Sherburne

From Chandlers School:

·       1^st place is Keyli Salazar

·       2^nd place is Alba Hopkins

·       3^rd place is Lane Vinson

Presenters: Board members Lonny Epley and Connor Williams

Teacher Awards

Last but, certainly not least we would like to recognize the teachers with 100 percent class participation. Without these teachers’ participation, the poster and coloring contest would not be possible.

Adairville School

Jennifer Baker, Christina Link, Carol Ann Dossett

Auburn School

Mallory Ervin, Kristin Pardue, Emily Williams, Elizabeth Oliver, Michaela Brown, Hannah Cron, Sarah Owens, Beth Reagan, Jeff Jeffcoat, Emily Leon

Chandlers School

Jan Estes, Breanna Hopkins, Melissa Thorpe, Amanda Stranger, Marty White, Kim Mooney, Jamie Metcalfe

Lewisburg School

Karen Jenkins and Bonnie Wells

Presenters: Board members Matt Rodgers and Charles Miles Jr.

Pictures of most award winners and board members can be found at the Logan County Conservations Districts, Russellville KY Facebook page.

Gold Level

·       John and Elizabeth Tabor at Cornerstone Veterinary Hospital

·       Lewisburg Banking Company

Silver Level

·       Yoder Septic Supplies

·       Farm Credit Mid- America

Bronze Level

·       Auburn Banking Company

·       Pennyrile Electric

·       Happy Hollow Farm

·       First Southern National Bank

·       Cattlemen’s Livestock Market

·       Pleasant View Farms

·       Southern States Russellville Coop

·       Helena Agri-Enterprises LLC

·       Russellville Priceless IGA