Donna Zang won the Bullshipper Award at the annual Farm to Table dinner March 5 at the Vagabonds Center. She has been a strong advocate of agriculture in Butler County for nearly 40 years.

BUTLER TWP — Donna Zang, long-time Penn State Extension educator, was presented with the Bullshipper Award at the annual Farm to Table dinner March 5 at the Vagabonds Center.

The award is traditionally given by the Butler County Conservation District to an individual who promotes agriculture in the community, helping to foster positive relationships between farm producers and the consumer.

Zang, with her 38 years with Penn State Extension and her numerous roles on local committees, has been a strong advocate of agriculture in Butler County. She was presented the award by Jim Boldy, last year's Bullshipper winner.

Also recognized for their efforts to protect and restore the water and soil of Butler County were:

Mary Campbell was honored with the Educator of the Year Award for her dedication to the students of Karns City High School and her involvement with the Envirothon.

Eric Plowman, who runs a grazing system for his Winfield Township livestock operation, received the Farmer of the Year Award.

Buffalo Township was named the Cooperator of the Year, which was accepted by Supervisor Al Roenigk. The township and the conservation district partnered to implement a stormwater stenciling program which helps educate the public on watershed protection.

Jim Faust was presented the Service Award for his longtime involvement on the conservation district board and the ag preservation board by the Butler County commissioners. The conservation district board honored Faust for his dedication over the past 20 years and for representing the district at many regional and state level functions.

Speaking at the dinner was Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension's field and forage crops educator. He is seeking input from the county agricultural community about the needs and concerns of the farmers so that he can establish a more effective program. Brackenrich can be reached at the Penn State Extension office, 724-287-4761, during office hours.

The annual dinner was sponsored by the conservation district, the Butler County Farm Bureau, Penn State Extension, AgChoice Farm Credit and the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Upcoming events for the conservation district include the annual seedling sale, orders due March 31; a manure management workshop April 5; and the annual youth Envirothon May 1. For more information, call 724-284-5270 or email bccd@bccdonline.org.

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