Conservation Awards Presented to Two Local Farms

Blumenauer Farms of Sharon Township was presented with the 2014 “Walter Wolfgang Memorial” Conservation Farmer of the Year Award in front of a crowd of 122 people at the 67th annual meeting of the County Conservation District, held January 15 at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds.

The “Wolfgang Memorial” Award is presented to farmers who have shown an outstanding record of conservation farming. The Blumenauers—Mark, Dan and Mike of Bethel Church Road—were recognized for a number of conservation practices implemented on their farm, including: no-till; grassed waterways; grid soil testing with variable rate fertilizer application; cover crops; construction of an agri-chemical handling building; as well as irrigation management and the use of precision agriculture. The Blumenauers operate a 2,000 acre cash-crop farm, growing corn, alfalfa, soybeans and wheat on farmland located in Bridgewater, Freedom and Sharon townships.

Dave and David Renner of Austin Road, Bridgewater Township, received the 2014 Tree Conservationist award in recognition of excellent tree planting and forest management efforts. The Renner family is recognized for planting more than 4,600 trees since 1969 and their overall stewardship ethic. The majority of the trees planted by the Renner family came from the Conservation District, going back to the first District tree sale in 1969. The Renners operate a small farm with livestock, pasture and hay; and they also operate Renner’s Corner Early Ford Parts, a small business offering specialty parts and service for the repair and restoration of antique Ford automobiles.

Staff and partner reports presented at the Annual Meeting included, District MAEAP Technician Chris Coulter reporting on the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP); USDA accomplishments during 2014 by Steve Olds, District Conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Nancy Thelen, reporting on Rural Education Days and a Farm Bill information meeting sponsored by MSU Extension.

The featured program for the Annual Meeting was a talk on “After the Glaciers, Life in a Changing Michigan,” presented by naturalist Dan Farmer from Macomb County. A drawing of door prizes donated by county businesses concluded the meeting.

The Washtenaw County Conservation District is a local unit of state government that assists private landowners, businesses and others with the conservation and management of natural resources within Washtenaw County. The District works cooperatively with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.