Awards presented at Farm to Table event
The Butler County Conservation District presented awards at the Farm to Table Dinner.
The event, formerly known as the Farm-City Banquet, was held March 13 at the General Butler Vagabonds in Lyndora.
The evening brings all segments of the community together to recognize the importance of agriculture.
The featured speaker was John McMurry, a retired food science professional whose career spanned more than 42 years with H.J. Heinz.
[naviga:h3]Bullshipper Award[/naviga:h3]
The annual Bullshipper Award was presented to James Boldy of Winfield Township, a lifelong farmer. His farm produces vegetables, potatoes, field crops and hogs.
Boldy is a longtime, active member of the Butler County Farm Bureau. His family operated a restaurant in the Cabot area and a bakery on Route 8 known for its pies and doughnuts.
The Bullshipper Award honors someone who has worked to improve relations between the agricultural and general communities.
<h3>Farmer of the Year</h3>Jeff Kennedy of Four Seasons Farm in Penn Township was honored as the Farmer of the Year.This award goes to a farmer who follows a conservation plan to implement best management practices and works to protect the soil and water.Kennedy has implemented several new ideas to help reduce nutrient runoff and stabilize soils.He also participates in programs with the Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the USDA Farm Service Agency.
<h3>Conservation Educator Of Year</h#>The Educator of the Year Award went to Evelyn Minteer.Minteer was born and raised on a dairy farm and is a past recipient of the Bullshipper Award.As a director for the Farm Bureau, she annually participates in its Legislative Tour and oversees a booth at the Butler Farm Show to help educate the public about agriculture.She helps keep farmers informed about new practices and regulations concerning agriculture. She is actively involved in the “Ag in the Classroom” program, raising funds every year since 1992 to send a teacher to Penn State for training to educate students about the importance of agriculture.
<h3>Conservationist of the Year</h3>Drew Hay of Phil Hay and Sons Excavating in Fenelton was presented with this year's Conservationist of the Year Award.The Butler County Conservation District believes a conservationist is someone who takes a substantial role in protecting and restoring soil and water resources.Hay and Sons has donated time, labor and equipment to the Connoquenessing Watershed Alliance's Thorn Creek Project. This work restored sections of Thorn Creek by installing stream bank stabilization and created fish habitat for anglers to enjoy.<em>Ron Fodor is the agriculture preservation coordinator for Butler County.</em>
