Highland Soil and Water Conservation District's Annual Banquet Held

   The annual meeting and banquet of the Highland SWCD was held on Oct. 15 at the Senior Citizens Center in Hillsboro. During the banquet, several awards were presented and the election of supervisors took place. Jim and Sandy Ditmer of Ditmer Farms took home top honors at this year's Annual Banquet by being named the 2009 Cooperator of the year by the Highland SWCD supervisors and staff. The Ditmers were selected due to their excellent cooperation with the Highland SWCD and the various conservation practices installed throughout their operation. Some of the practices installed include: over 4 miles of fence, a spring development, 240' of pipeline, a concrete watering tank, 2 automatic ball watering systems, 60 acres of pasture seeding, multiple wascobs, and a dry fire hydrant. The Ditmers are providing an outstanding example of how to incorporate conservation practices that will contribute to an environmentally and economically sound farming operation.

   The election of Supervisors for the Board of the Highland Soil & Water Conservation District was also held before the Annual Banquet. There were two candidates running this year for one position available for a three-year term beginning January 2010. The candidates on the ballot were Larry Shannon and Adam Vance. When the election results were tallied Larry Shannon was re-elected for another term. Other members of the Highland SWCD Board of Supervisors include Jim Carr, Jeff Boike, Jeff Duncan and Kyle Mustard.