Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District
Cooperator Spotlight
Shelley Rowe presents Russell Vahle with the 2008 Cooperator of the Year Award at the district's annual meeting.
Each year the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District selects an individual from the county whom they feel is doing an outstanding job of completing conservation efforts to receive their Cooperator of the Year award. This year the district selected Russell Vahle as their cooperator of the year. Sponsoring this year’s award is the Farmers Elevator in Hawk Point.
Russell manages approximately 250 acres of row-crop and 200 acres of pasture ground in northern Warren County. Russell has utilized federal and state programs to assist in implementing conservation practices which save soil and improve water quality. He utilizes rotational grazing on the pasture ground and excludes livestock from sensitive areas such as streams and woods. Russell has completed nutrient and pest management practices, installed and maintained over four acres of grassed waterways, over 9,300 feet of terraces, practices contour farming and no-till, installed two ponds to control erosion and water livestock. Russell also has some work planned to improve timber on the family farm.
Russell is also a board member for the Farmers Elevator in Hawk Point and is a Trustee for the United Methodist Church College. Russell is an excellent steward of the land and we applaud his efforts to care for our natural resources. Congratulations Russell!
