Time to nominate farmers for Conservation District 2020 Awards

The Washtenaw County Conservation District is seeking nominations for the 2020 conservation awards. They are looking for nominations for conservation farmer of the year, tree conservationist of the year and small or beginning conservationist farmer of the year. The descriptions are as follows:

• Conservation Farmer of the Year Award: Candidates demonstrate leadership in and commitment to conservation practices on the farm.
• Tree Conservationist of the Year Award: Candidates demonstrate leadership in and commitment to tree planting and habitat restoration.
• Small or Beginning Conservationist Farmer of the Year Award: Candidates demonstrate leadership in and commitment to conservation practices and have been farming less than 10 years or have less than 10 acres under production.

Although no Manchester residents were recognized in 2019, many Manchester residents have been recognized many times since the Mirror began publication in 2013. Jerry & Jean Kuhl were recognized as Conservation Farmer of the Year in 2018, Vic Mann was recognized with the Tree Conservationist Award in 2017, Galen & Rhonda Kenyon were recognized as the Tree Conservationist of the Year in 2016, Mark, Dan and Mike Blumenauer were were recognized as Conservation Farmer of the Year in 2014, Dave and David Renner were recognized as Tree Conservationist of the Year in 2014, and Tom and Jenae Chulig were recognized as the Tree Conservationist of the Year in 2013.

To nominate someone, please send your nomination along with description of the candidate and reason you are nominating them to District Manager Megan DeLeeuw at megan.deleeuw@macd.org. Nominations are due August 31.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.