Winners of the Saline County Soil and Water Conservation District poster contest were honored on Wednesday, March 19, during the 33rd annual meeting held at Marshall High School. The winners in grades three through six from schools throughout the county were picked from 1,100 entries. (Marcia Gorrell/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

A large crowd attended the 33rd annual meeting of the Saline County Soil and Water Conservation District (SCSWCD) meeting held Wednesday, March 19, at Marshall High School.

An awards ceremony, emceed by Brian Sowers, took place following dinner.

Brian Miles, left, of rural Marshall, was presented the Conservation and No-till Farmer of the Year award. Brian Sowers, right, congratulates Miles while Mike Martin, chairman of the SCSWCD board of supervisors looks on. (Marcia Gorrell/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

Mike Martin, chairman of the board of supervisors of the SCSWCD, presented the Agri-Business of the Year award to Green Printers of Marshall.

The Conservation and No-Till Farmer of the Year was presented to Brian Miles of rural Marshall.

Conservation Contractor of the Year was presented to Bruce and Chris Livengood. Sidney West Sullivan was presented Outstanding Woman in Agriculture for the conservation work she has done on her family farm near Miami.

Mike Martin, chairman of the Saline County Soil and Water Conservation District board of supervisors, presents the Agri-Business of the Year award to Mike Green and Steve Green of Green Printers. (Marcia Gorrell/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

Donna Smith, administrative assistant of the SCSWCD, then announced the annual Poster Contest Winners.

More than 1,100 school students from across the county submitted posters for the annual contest, which had the theme, "Water is Life."

Smith said they visited all the schools and talked to the students in grades three to six to tell them how vital water is to our life and "ways to protect our water."

Winners in each school were honored and then from those winners they chose overall winners at each grade level.

Each student honored Wednesday night was called onto the stage and given a T-shirt and medallion by Smith and Carol Benedick, SCSWCD clerk. First place winners were presented $25, second place, $15 and third place $10.

The grand prize winners were (in order first-third): Grade three: Delaney Meyer of St. Peter Catholic School; Erik Mays, Eastwood Elementary School and Bailey Stevens of Gilliam School. Grade four: Jennifer Diaz of Northwest Elementary School; Zachary McGrath, St. Peter Catholic School; and Bryce Breshears of Hardeman School. Grade five: Nicole Gann, Bueker Middle; Nicole Bright, Sweet Springs School; and Ethan Borgman, Hardeman School. Grade six: Kesthalleen Umwch of Bueker Middle School; Amber McNicol of Sweet Springs School; and Dakota Weitlauf of Hardeman School.

Following the presentations, Marty and Brenda Hahne of Ozark presented their magic act, "Dazzling Magic."

In the fiscal year of Oct. 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007, 4,170 operators received technical assistance from Saline County's SWCD.

Five grade stabilization structures were built; 17 acres of waterways were constructed and 491,040 feet of terraces were constructed in Saline County.

Contact Marcia Gorrell at marshallag@socket.net