The Wuertz family was given the Conservation Cooperator of the Year Award when the 66th annual Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District meeting was held Saturday, December 5, at the Jenkins-Vaughan Post 97 American Legion home in Cardington.
The award, presented by Mike Sayers, vice chairman of the Board of Supervisors, was presented to Mr Wuertz’ wife, Rebecca, son Kenneth and daughter Rachelle Newson. Mr Wuertz, who was a 34 year board member of the Soil and Water District, was described as “truly believing in the pro- gram.” He passed away earlier this year in January, 2015.
Three scholarships were awarded. Jay Smith presented the $500 McGinnis Memorial Scholarship to Tyler Beck, who was not present. He is a graduate of Mount Gilead High School and is a student at Findlay University.
Doug Franz awarded a $500 scholarship from the Down Home Farm to Ellie Logan, a Northmor High School graduate She is a student at ATI Wooster.
Derek Barker was the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from the Wuertz family given in memory of Bob Wuertz. It was presented by Rebecca Wuertz, Rachelle Newson and Kenneth Wuertz. Barker, a Mt Gilead High School graduate is also attending ATI Wooster.
Clark Hutson announced that Mike Sayers was reelected to te SWCD Board of Supervisors.
Giving the invocation was Morrow County Sheriff Steve Brenneman and Jim Meimer introduced Jim Greer and The Mac-O-Chee Valley Folks, whose down home melodies had many feet tapping.
Appreciation was extended to the following Affiliate members who sponsored the meeting and banquet: Ag Credit, Central Ohio Farmers Co-Op Inc. and Tidy Tim’s, Inc., all of Mt Gilead; Broerman Insurance, Fredericktown; Carol & Jeannine Gleason, Chesterville; Crop Production Services, Edison; Farm Credit Services of Mid America; Morral Companies, Caledonia; POET Bio-refining, Marion and the Morrow SWCD Board of Supervisors.
Sayers introduced public officials.
Dan Barker, Program Administrator and Erika Murray, administrative assistant, presented the SWCD highlights which included the moving of the office to its new headquarters at 5362 U S Highway 42, Mount Gilead.
Board of Supervisors is comprised of Jay Smith, chairman; Sayers, vice chairman; Tom Clark, secretary; Jim Meimer, treasurer and Louann Holmes, member. Debra Nace is a district conservationist with the NRCS Personnel.
The 210 guests present dined on a fish dinner prepared and served by members of Jenkins-Vaughan Post 97 of the American Legion.
The dairy products served were provided by the Morrow County Dairy Association
Door prizes were announced by Meimer.
Evelyn Long is a correspondent with the Morrow County Sentinel and can be reached at [email protected].
