Marburger is honored with Bullshipper Award
The 43rd annual Bullshipper Award was presented March 21 at the Farm City Banquet held at Founders Hall at Butler County Community College.
About 130 people were on hand to see James Marburger, owner of Marburger Farm Dairy in Evans City, accept the honor.
The Bullshipper Award recognizes a person who works to improve agricultural and community relations.
Over the years, Marburger has opened his operation to thousands of people who have been able to see the complete story of dairy production, from the cow to the finished product.
Last year's winner was Clint Champagne of Butler Township.
The Butler County Conservation District, celebrating its 50th year, also presented several other awards.
This honor recognizes a farmer who has implemented good stewardship practices on his land.The winner this year is Dawson Dibbern who raises beef and sheep on his 78-acre Clay Township farm.Dibbern who has been using intensive rotational grazing, worked to better his watering system and fencing and pasture management.Conservationist of the YearThis honor recognizes someone who takes a substantial role in protecting our soil and water resources.The winner this year is Bruce Kemp of Fenelton, one of the founders and a longtime director of the Connoquenessing Watershed Alliance.Over the past 12 years, Kemp has served as field director of the alliance's volunteer water quality monitoring program, helping to train about 80 volunteers.Kemp is an avid canoeist and member of the Western Pennsylvania PaddleSports Association. He also has served as an adviser for the Regatta at Lake Arthur and organized numerous stream cleanups.
This award was presented to the Butler Farm Show, which over the years has educated thousands of people about all aspects of farming.The show traces its origins to a plowing contest held on the Jack Roe property in Meridian in 1947.The Farm Show board is a diverse group coming from agriculture, retail business, banking, finance and industry. The group works hard all year to plan and implement the exhibits and entertainment and they serve without pay.The Butler County Conservation District was founded 50 years ago during the 1961 Butler Farm Show.
This honor goes to Jerry Andree, who has served as Cranberry Township manager for 20 years, during which time the township has seen tremendous growth.Andree is known for his willingness to go the extra mile to get things done and for his ability to work with developers, public and private workers and the conservation district.
This honor goes to Boy Scout Troop 58 of the Moraine Trails Council.Troop 58 is the largest in the council and many members have earned the rank of Eagle Scout.Among the environmental and other projects taken on by the troop are the flower gardens at Holy Sepulcher Roman Catholic Church, Middlesex Township; and at the Saxonburg Library and the prayer garden at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Cabot.It also has taken part in the annual pancake breakfast at Glade Run Church in Valencia.• The program for the evening was presented by Jack Cohen, executive director of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, and students from Butler County Community College. It focused on agricultural tourism in the county.• The Farm City Banquet is sponsored by the Butler Rotary, the conservation district and the Penn State Agricultural Extension.Ron Fodor is district manager of the Butler County Conservation District.
