Conner, Gudas honored as 'River Friendly' farmers
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- Published: Friday, 22 August 2014 15:32
INDIANAPOLIS - In a ceremony to coincide with Farmers’ Day at the 2014 Indiana State Fair, 59 River-Friendly Farmers were recognized by the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD) for the work they do to protect Indiana’s natural resources.
Among them were Howard Conner of Pulaski County and Arthur Gudas in Fulton County.
Farmers representing counties from around the state were honored Aug. 13, at the 4-H Exhibit Hall Auditorium at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
The awards were presented by Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Ted McKinney, President of Indiana Farm Bureau Don Villwock, and State Conservationist Jane Hardisty, and IASWCD President Jeff Meinders.
The River-Friendly Farmers were selected for this award by their local Soil and Water Conservation District based upon their management practices which help keep rivers, lakes and streams clean. The award is sponsored by the IASWCD, the 92 local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc.
Since 1999, key conservation and agricultural organizations have also supported the River Friendly Farmer (RFF) Program.
Annually, each county Soil and Water Conservation District may nominate up to two farmers who do an outstanding job of protecting their rivers, lakes and streams through their every day conservation management practices on the farm. Watershed organizations also may nominate farmers for the award by submitting an application to a county SWCD.
Pulaski County
Howard Conner
Howard’s corn and soybean farm is part of the Tippecanoe watershed. He uses no-till practices on his land to reduce erosion and improve soil health. Howard maintains a small woodland of three acres and has also put in six grassed waterways.
Fulton County
Arthur Gudas
Arthur’s grain farm is located in the Mill Creek/Tippecanoe River Watershed. He uses cover crops, no-till, and strip till. Arthur also uses filter strips on all his ditch banks, and maintains a wetland and woodland on his property.
