Time to nominate for Kansas Bankers Award

It is the duty of the agriculture extension agent to serve as the chairman of the county committee of conservation awards, and part of that requirement is to ensure that the public is aware of the recognition given to our producers every year and the opportunity to nominate award candidates.

Kansas Bankers Association Award winners last year from the Southwind Extension District were: Allen County -- D and R Enterprises, LLC for soil conservation, Dwight Hawkinson for water quality, Scott and Kim Day for wildlife; Bourbon County -- Mick and Wilma Bradbury for soil conservation, Larry Gilliland for grassland, Clyde Wendel for wildlife; Neosho County -- Ammann Brothers for soil conservation.

The purpose of this program is to stimulate a greater interest in the conservation of the agricultural resources of Kansas by giving recognition to those farmers and landowners who have made outstanding progress in the establishment of soil and water conservation on their farms.

Included in the awards program are a soil conservation, wildlife and windbreak award, in addition to three relatively new areas of energy conservation, water quality and water conservation.

Points to be considered in selecting soil conservation award winners include: use of land according to its capabilities, completeness of conservation plan, balance of farm enterprise, quality of conservation work completed and maintenance of practices and special practices unique to the farming operations.

The windbreak award considers windbreaks which provide protection from damaging winds for residential (or other structure) areas, livestock or fields. Windbreaks should be a minimum of three years old, with points of selection including windbreak design, management, location, density and length.

Basis of selection for the energy conservation award are the efficiency of energy used for buildings, equipment and operations, production and utilization of energy from renewable sources and cogeneration and co-utilization of energy.

The water quality award is based on quality of water, quality improvement and protection work, adoption of management practices to reduce sediment, nutrient and bacterial contamination of surface water such as buffers, nutrient management plans, grazing systems and livestock watering systems.

For the water conservation award, points to be considered are improved irrigation management, matching cropping systems with irrigation capacities, adoption of appropriate tillage systems to reduce soil water evaporation and improve soil water storage and improvement to on-farm water supplies.

If you know of someone who would be deserving of one of these awards, stop by your local office. Awards may be given to individuals, landowner-tenants, family partnerships or any other combination. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

For more information on these awards, visit http://www.agronomy.ksu.edu/extension or contact your local extension office with questions.