The Logan County Conservation Districts held their annual banquet and awards program recently. Monica Nolan was master of ceremonies for the awards presentation after a meal prepared by the Logan County Cattlemen.
Early in the program, tribute was paid to retired staffer Marie Epley, who had passed aways since the last banquet. Staff member Cheryl Jackson delivered the eulogy.
The Master Conservationist award went to Coles Land and Cattle is owned and operated by Jarrod, Joanna, Jenna and Jace Coles. Jenna is attending the University of Kentucky where she is majoring in Agriculture Economics and Accounting. Jace is currently a sophomore at Logan County High School. The Coles family farms around 560 acres. Their farm consists of Beef Cattle, Row Crops, CRP, and woodland.
The 2025 Outstanding Cooperator Award goes to J & D Farms, LLC., operated by Lonny, Johnathan, and Dustin Epley. J & D Farms operates 1,200 acres of cropland, including both owned and leased ground in Logan County with their main crops being corn, wheat, and soybeans.
The operation includes both cropland and pastureland. Their continuing efforts in applying good farming methods and installing conservation practices on land they own as well as farms they rent have been a main focus to limit soil erosion and improve water quality concerns.
Ryan Pendley with NRCS presented these two awards.
Lewisburg School’s Jessica Cardwell was named Teacher of the Year. Her principal, Grant Warren, wrote about her:
“Mrs. Cardwell is an exceptionally thoughtful educator, and this trait is most evident in her approach to environmental education. She consistently integrates sustainability and conservation topics into the curriculum, inspiring students to think critically about their environmental impact. Whether through hands-on projects, thought-provoking discussions, or encouraging participation in local conservation efforts, Mrs. Cardwell fosters a deep appreciation for nature and environmental responsibility in every student.”
Jordan Walker presented her award.
Distinguished Service awards for service to the conservation districts went to the following men:
Bobby Brown has served 23 years as a North Logan District Supervisor, since Jan. 1, 2001. He and his wife Barbara live on Stuarts Chapel Rd. in Lewisburg.
Bobby has always enjoyed farming and wildlife habitat management. His farming operation consists of row crops, tobacco, and beef cattle, and some of the farm is enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. Bobby has been an active board member and has participated in many local, area, and state meetings over the years. Bobby also served as the North Logan Board Treasurer for 12 years.
Ernie Ezell has served 12 years as a North Logan Conservation District Supervisor since Jan. 1, 2013. He and his wife Elaine live off Plainview Church Rd. in the Chandlers community.
During his time on the North Logan Conservation Board, Ernie has served as Vice Chairman and was the KACD Area 2 Director for several years. Ernie also represented the board as RC&D Council Member during his tenure. Ernie has always actively participated in board meetings and supervisor committees during the years he served on the board.
Each year the Conservation District presents the William S. Johnson Memorial Scholarship in honor of the late Bill Johnson. 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.
District Manager Wesley Wright joined Johnson family members Betty Johnson, Sharon Cos and Laura Williamson in presenting the $2,500 scholarship to Lilly Robey, the daughter of Adam and Amanda Robey.
Lilly is Treasurer for the Logan County FFA chapter, Beta President, Student Council President, and HOSA Parliamentarian. Lily is also a member of Adairville Baptist Church youth, Health Sciences Academy, PAC, and 4-H and is the Captain of the Logan County High School Cheerleading team. She plans to attend University of Kentucky and major in Agricultral and Medical Biotechnology.
The Natural Resource Conservation Scholarship is presented to a student already in college. This year’s Natural Resource Conservation Scholarship recipient is Jerrett Stamps, the son of Jeremy and Tonya Stamps. He attends Murray State University and is Majoring in Wildlife Biology.
Jarrett is a member of the Murray Racer Band and has joined the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. After college, Jarrett plans to work with the US Fish and Wildlife Service or do Wildlife Research.
Bob Allen presented the award.
The Logan County Junior Conservation Boards were started in September of 2024. This group of students have helped with community outreach projects, hosted a can food drive to give back to the community, have been on WBKO, and are in the process of planning two conservation programs that will teach the younger students about how to preserve our natural resources. They made flower arrangements for the evening under the guidance of Caroline Davenport.
Nate Logsdon presented awards to these junior board members:
North Logan: Connor Thomas, Klay VanSickle, Jace Coles, Chandler Jackson, Colt White, Weston Wright, Kennedy Ross, Terry Tucker and Ginger Harper
South Logan: Kingsley Stratton, Jackson Williams, Isaac Robey, Makayla Head, John Allen, Kerrihanna Miller and Kinsley Taylor
Every year Logan County participates in the Jim Claypool Art and Writing contest. This year’s theme is Forestry. Students took the information they learned from the conservation tabloids and created a coloring sheet, poster, or an essay. The top three entries form each school was entered into our contest. Each student present at the dinner was entered into a drawing for a $200 gift card.
Trent Martin and Jonathan Epley presented the top awards to Harrison Carpenter of Chandlers School with A’Kiyah Cartas of Stevenson Elementary runner-up.
From the schools: Stevenson—Avery Taylor second and Addilyn Grub third; Auburn—first Lily Fuston; Chandlers School—Makenna Bryan second and Aubrie Lee third; Lewisburg School—first Hannah Lehmann, second Arlo Wright, third Molly Brown.
Conservation Art Contest Awards are for students in 1st through 5th grade. This year’s district winner is Annie Parker from Chandlers School. District Runner up is Kerry Beth Robey from Adairville School.
From the schools: Stevenson—first Benton Lindquist, second Madelin Hernandez-Ortiz and third Kendal Thomason; Adairville—Brooklyn Patterson second and Loyalty Gaines third; Chandlers—second Heston Carpenter and third Jaxon Shaffer; Olmstead—first Brooklyn Johns, second Hadley Rickerson and third Jase Cates; Auburn—first Hailey McAllister, second Baye Shannon and third Kendall Heath.
Conservation Writing Contest is for students 6th through 12th grade. This year’s district winner is Isaac Robey from Logan County High School. District runner up is Weston Wright from Logan County High School.
From the schools: LCHS—third Kinsley Taylor; Chandlers—first Maddox Perry, second J.T. Vysa and third Astreah Blackburn.
The Conservation Districts honor teachers with 100 percent class participation. Frank Orndoff and John Walpole presented awards to the following:
Adairville—Carol Ann Dossett; Auburn—Ellie Oliver, Beth Reagan, Jill Brown, Ashley Elmore, Austin Brown, Emily Williams, Kristin Pardue, Mallory Irvin, Jennifer Jenkins, Liz Reed and Mindy Sauers; Chandlers School—Jan Estes, Kristen Steenbergen, Laura Johnson, Janice Coomer, Melissa Thorpe, Kim Mooney, Ericka Duncan, Adam Smith, Cynthia Taylor, Amanda Stranger and Marty White; Lewisburg—Harlie Case; Stevenson—Tonya Thomas, Melanie Davis, Brittany Sullivan, LaTrese Davis and Holly Behm