Fannin Soil & Water Conservation District
200 E. 1st St. Bonham, TX 75418 Tel: 903-583-5612 Fax: 903-583-7993 email: maryjane.godwin@tx.nacdnet.net	National Resources Conservation Service Tel: 903-583-9513 Ext:3 Fax: 903-583-7993 email: randy.moore@tx.usda.gov

Fannin Soil and Water Conservation District

NEWSLETTER

	NRCS
DIRECTORS: C. W. Jones, Chairman Billy Partridge, Vice Chairman Leon Bowman, Secretary-Treasurer Harvey Milton, Member David Keene, Member	Sam Stewart, Team Leader Randy Moore, District Conservationist Steve Deckard, Soils Cons. Technician DISTRICT PERSONNEL Derrell "Bear" Reed, Technician Mary Jane Godwin, District Secretary
MEETS THIRD TUESDAY AT 8:30 A.M.

Volume 12

Fall 2005

Number 2-5

Fannin SWCD Holds Annual Awards Banquet

The Fannin Soil and Water Conservation District held their annual Conservation Awards Dinner at Shumardii’s Steakhouse in Bonham on December 6.This awards dinner is a way for the Fannin SWCD to show their appreciation for the dedication of individuals that make conservation work. There is a lot of hard work going on in Fannin County to preserve the soil and water for future generations.

Larry Smith earned the Resident Conservation Rancher award this year. Mr. Smith’s management of the ranch, which included planting various forages, rotation of livestock between pastures and proper stocking rates have left him grass to carry his cattle through the winter. He has supported the Conservation District Program by providing ranch tours as shown in the picture here.

The Conservation Business of the year went to the North Texas e-news for their contribution in helping getting information to the public concerning the many programs and seminars that the Fannin SWCD has sponsored this year in conjunction with the NRCS, The County Extension Office and The Parks and Wildlife Department.

Allen Rich, editor of the North Texas e-news receives his plaque from director David Keene.

Director Leon Bowman presents the Absentee Farmer Award to H. E. Astleford. Mr. Astleford is restoring native prairie grasses on old cropland fields to control erosion and provide habitat and a native food source for wildlife.

Mrs. Jean Yant, Art Teacher in the Honey Grove School District was honored with the Conservation Teacher of the Year Award. Mrs. Yant graduated from Texas Women’s University in Denton, TX, has taught in the Honey Grove School system for 23 years, and has always been an advocate for conservation of our soil and water. She encourages her students to enter the poster contest that the Fannin Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors each year.

Director Harvey Milton presents the Conservation Teacher of the year award to Mrs. Jean Yant, a former student and co-worker.

Director Billy Partridge presented the Wildlife Conservationist award to Daniel and Alister Webster. The Websters have developed over 15 acres of wetlands on their land and have developed one of the best dickey bird areas in North Texas.