The Farm City Banquet was held March 15 in Founder's Hall at Butler County Community College.

Among the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the annual awards, such as the Bullshipper, Farmer Cooperator of the Year and others.

Bullshipper AwardThis honor goes to a person who works to improve agricultural and community relations.This year's winner is Clint Champagne of Butler Township.Champagne is a volunteer for many community activities. He is a member of the Rotary, Lions and is very active in the Farm Bureau.Champagne also is treasurer of the Penn Alumni Club, a Junior Achievement grade school presenter, board member of the Pittsburgh metropolitan chapter of the Appraisal Institute and board member of Parker Personal Care Home.Each year he volunteers to help plan, sell ads, distribute flyers and work throughout the day to make the Butler County Farm Tour a success.

Farmer Cooperator of the YearThis honor goes to a farmer who follows a plan to implement conservation practices.This year's winner is Leland West, who farms more than 200 acres in Clay Township.West was recognized for his use of cover crops, contour farming, residue management and grassed waterways.He recently implemented a nutrient management plan and installed a heavy use area and milk house waste treatment system to improve water quality. He also is working on rotational grazing.

Conservationist of the YearThis honor goes to a person who takes a substantial role in protecting and restoring soil and water resources.This year's winner is Bob Hedin. Hedin is an authority on the treatment of mine drainage and restoration of polluted streams.Hedin has worked closely with watershed groups on restoration plans and the design and construction of passive treatment systems.He also is at the forefront of the iron oxide recovery process, turning what was once waste product into a byproduct that can be used as pigment and other products.Hedin was involved with the construction of wetlands treatment facilities at Jennings Environmental Education Center and the Argentine site in northern Butler County. He is currently working with the Conservation District and the Bear Creek Watershed Association to restore the water in the North Branch of the Bear Creek Watershed.

Forester of the YearThe winner is Robert Shurtleff of Herman.An Army veteran and graduate of Syracuse University, Shurtleff worked in Butler County as a service forester for 25 years.For the past six years, he served as assistant district forester for seven counties.During his career, he has helped hundreds of landowners plan and implement woodlot management practices. He has provided workshops, seminars, field days and tree planting programs.

Conservation EducatorHonored this year is the Jennings Environmental Education Center.The center is one of several state parks dedicated to providing environmental education and interpretation to the community with a variety of programs.One of the park's main features is its 20 acre prairie ecosystem home to distinctive plants, including the blazing star flower and the endangered massasauga rattlesnake.Accepting the award for Jennings was center manager Dave Johnson.

Service AwardHoward Halstead is this year's winner.Halstead owns a family farm in Clinton Township and has contributed to the farming community his entire life.He has served on a number of committees and boards, including the State Holstein Board, the Farm Credit Board, the Butler Holstein Club, South Butler School Board, and is a 4-H member and leader.A director of his church choir and an elder, he has served 12 years as a Conservation District board member.

Outstanding Conservation Youth AwardThe Outstanding Conservation Youth Award goes to Venturing Crew 50, a Succop Conservancy youth program.Members of Venturing Crew 50 restored a mid-19th century hay wagon but had no way to pull it. The group raised funds to purchase a 1940 tractor that also needed restoration. To raise funds, members made soap and crafted hand weeders, which they sold at a plant sale sponsored by the Penn State Master Gardeners.Members of the crew disassembled, repaired, painted and reassembled the tractor.The restored tractor will pull the hay wagon at community events.Accepting the honor for Venturing Crew 50 were members Kevin and Ben Lesniak.• The Farm City Banquet is sponsored by the Butler Rotary, Butler County Conservation District and the Penn State Extension.The Moraine Area Tractor Cruisers provided the program.Ron Fodor is district manager of the Butler County Conservation District.