Convention Award Winners

Bill and Debbie Barby of Protection have been selected as the recipients of the 2024 Kansas Leopold Conservation Award. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who go above and beyond in the management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land. In Kansas, the $10,000 award is presented by the Sand County Foundation, American Farmland Trust, Kansas Association of Conservation Districts and Ranchland Trust of Kansas (RTK).

The Barby Ranch is located in both Clark and Comanche counties. Through rotational grazing, prescribed burning and the removal of invasive trees, Bill has restored the ranch’s native habitats and ecological functions. Thousands of acres of healthier grassland and riparian areas provide habitat for the Lesser Prairie Chicken, whooping crane and Arkansas River shiner. Conservation partnerships have achieved improved water quality, biodiversity and carbon sequestration on the landscape.

The Kansas Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the Farm Credit Associations of Kansas, ITC Great Plains, Kansas Department of Agriculture-Division of Conservation, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Ducks Unlimited, Kansas Forest Service, Green Cover Seed, McDonald’s, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and a Kansas Leopold Conservation Award recipient. Watch the Award Video

The winner of the 2024 Pat Lehman Legacy Award is Lauren Pringle.  Lauren became a Woodson County Conservation District board member in February of 1968 and served until April 2024 when he resigned due to health problems at the age of 95.  During Lauren's 56 years of serving on the board they held 672 board meetings, Lauren only missed five of those meetings.  One was missed due to the death of his son in Arizona.  He has also only missed one annual meeting in 56 years. Lauren served as district treasurer for 44 years.  Lauren is a charter member of the See-Kan RC&D in Chanute.  He was also asked to represent the RC&D at the WRAPS meetings and also represented Woodson County Conservation District on the Verdigris River and Neosho WRAPS for many years, attending many meetings in Fredonia and Iola.  He could always be counted on for various special meetings, budget meetings and tours.  He has set a great example for conservation in our county.  He received the Kansas Banker’s award in 1963 and an Excellence in Grazing Management Award.  Besides serving on the Conservation Board he has served on other community boards.  The Woodson County Fair board since 1964 including President once; Extension Executive Board, President twice, and 16 years as a community leader for the 3 and 1 4-H Club.  When we think of dedication the name at the top of the list would be Lauren Pringle.  The Woodson County Conservation District has been blessed to have him as a dedicated board member.

Daniel Schultz was first elected to the Sheridan County conservation district board in January 2012 and has served as Chairman of the Board since 2017.  Daniel is always available to help with district activities from building a storage shed for the enterprise business, helping with tree days by loading his truck with trees for area producers, judging posters and speech contests and attending budget meetings with commissioners. Daniel rarely misses board meetings, which usually begins with supper to catch up with everyone.  He attends many of the meetings concerning conservation, from Local Work Group, GMD4 meetings to fall workshops.  He brings the soil health and conservation messages back to Sheridan County producers.   He’ll report information back to the board, often twisting arms so they will consider attending the next one.  A highlight was attending Conservation Day at the Capitol last year with his side kick and Vice Chairman, Rick Johnson. Together they also have successfully hosted three annual corn hole tournaments at convention.  Just another way to visit and share conservation ideas with friends!

Tim Gogolski began keeping bees at age 14 when he was working on his Bee Keeping Merit badge.  By the time he was in college, he and a friend had 40 hives.  After college Tim began his career with NRCS and still had between 3-20 hives depending on where he lived.  During his 32-year career with NRCS he promoted pollinator habitat and educated landowners on the importance of good habitat.

Tim retired from NRCS in 2014 and began developing his business, Gogo’s Bee Company.  He manages hives for individuals who have an interest in helping honeybees but lack the knowledge and equipment to manage them.  Tim currently manages 58 hives for 19 different families plus his own hives.  Tim encourages all his clients to improve their pollinator habitat.  Not just for their honeybees but for all pollinating insects. The plants provide nesting cover for several bird species as well as a food source in the form of seeds and other insects.  Last year the Bee Informed Partnership reported an estimated hive loss of 47%.  The national average since 2008 has been over 30%.  For the last 5 years, Tim had an average annual loss of less than 10% for all the hives he manages.

Tim has spoken and educated individuals about honeybees and pollinator habitat at several grade schools, high school biology class, PEO, conservation district annual meetings, extension meetings, farm bureau, United Methodist Women Circle, NRCS retirement organization and Kiwanis.  Tim also mentors students and veterans through his beekeeping’s association. 

This year’s recipient of the Pottawatomie County Conservation District Grassland Award goes to Tim Murray and his family. Tim and Lori met in Alma, Kansas through Tim’s brother Steve and have been married for thirty-six years, have two children, Stephanie, and Tyler, and are expecting their first grandchild in February.  Tim and Lori have been ranching since 1975 and now have two thousand three hundred and twenty acres of native pasture and over 150 acres of dryland alfalfa and sowed feed. Tim and Tyler have worked relentlessly to take back their grassland by clipping thousands of cedars and other trees. This hard work has improved their grassland and has made feeding and raising their 300 head of cattle a little bit easier. When Tim isn’t cutting trees or raising cattle he is contributing to the Knights of Columbus, Kansas Livestock Association, and American Quarter Horse Association and watching K-State sports with his wife. Lori is on the public accountant’s association of Kansas’s board of director. The work the Murray family has done is an excellent example of what can be accomplished in our degraded grasslands in Pottawatomie County, and more broadly across the Great Plains. Thank you all for your exemplary work.

2024 Kansas Agroforestry Award – Dr. Philip Gipson

-Owns multiple properties in Wabaunsee and Morris Counties (located both north and southeast of Council Grove)

-Growing up in Arkansas, and spending his professional career as a biologist, Phil has always had a love for trees, which has transferred into efforts of establishing numerous tree plantings

-This award recognizes efforts on just one site

-located north of Council Grove/south of Alta Vista (see attached map)

-Plantings began in 2004 by installing Riparian Forest Buffer tree and shrub plantings to widen and enhance a previously channelized stretch of Munkers Creek

-Since that time, over 86 acres of tree and shrub plantings have been installed on this property, with planted species including Bur oak, Black walnut, Northern red oak, Shumard oak, and American plum

-Numerous other conservation practices have also been installed on the property - including a Wetland Reserve Program Conservation Easement where recent efforts included installation of Beaver Dam Analogs (essentially low-cost natural ‘check dams’) to mimic natural pools along streams

EJ Jamison with the Kansas Forest Service stated "I've had the joy of working with the recipients of the 2024 Forest Stewardship Tree Farmer of the Year Award. Kansas Forest Service and Kansas Forestry Association are proud to present this award to Dan and Susan Willard of Valley Falls, Kansas."

Dan and Susan have implemented over 70 acres of Forest Stand Improvement and 50 acres of prairie restoration to promote wildlife habitat, ecosystem health, and recreational opportunities on their property. Their stewardship extends beyond their own property, though, as they have engaged neighbors and even hosted the Great Plains Society of American Foresters for our Fall 2023 Meeting so we could learn from their Forest Stand Improvement project and their experiences as forestland owners. They received the 2021 County Conservation District Award for Wildlife Habitat, are members of Kansas Forestry Association, and have collaborated with Kansas Forest Service, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service on their many projects.

They approach land management with patience, care, information, and a holistic ecosystem-level perspective that has resulted in highly successful conservation practices. The joy they get from stewarding and sharing their land is contagious and inspiring. Congratulations to the Forest Stewardship Tree Farmers of the Year, Dan and Susan Willard.

It is a pleasure to present this year's Professional Award to a woman who has dedicated her life to conserving our precious natural resources. A woman who has weathered the storms of technological change and bureaucratic shifts, always emerging stronger and more committed. Her nomination not only came in from her board, but several district managers also nominated her. This year’s award goes to Gayla Speer.

Gayla has been the heart and soul of the Johnson County Conservation District for an astounding 33 years. She's seen it all - from the days of typewriters to the age of drones. She's transitioned from a bustling USDA Service Center to a more modest office setting. Yet, through it all, her dedication to conservation has never wavered.

Gayla is not just a skilled administrator; she’s a passionate advocate for our environment. Her tireless work on countless committees and projects has left an enduring legacy. From the Hillsdale Water Quality Project to the Kansas Envirothon, she has been at the forefront of conservation efforts. She puts on the Slice of Ag, an educational event for kids that she has literally taught thousands of kids about conservation!

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Gayla is a beloved community member. She's an active church member, a devoted grandmother, and a passionate KU Jayhawk fan. And let's not forget her love for travel, especially those relaxing cruises. Gayla has recently announced her retirement, so this is most likely the last time we will see Gayla at KACD Convention. She will truly be missed. Gayla Speer is a true champion of conservation. Her unwavering commitment and tireless efforts have made a significant impact on the District Managers for years to come!

Josh Brown, District Conservationist for Medicine Lodge, won the Earth Team Employee award. 

Cindy Montgomery, District Manager for Dickinson County, won the District Manager Earth Team award for Kansas. 

Dennis Schwandt with the Westmoreland Field Office won the Individual Earth Team award for Kansas. 

The State Conservation Commission is introducing a new conservation award this year. The intent is to recognize an individual or group for extraordinary accomplishments in conservation in Kansas.
Conservation awards often are presented to those who incorporate conservation practices into the management and conservation plan of the land. This year’s recipient has had a crucial role in many conservation practices being constructed or completed in that “Conservation Plan.”  This includes many acres of grass seeding, miles of terraces connected to many acres of waterways just to mention a few. The first and very deserving recipient of the State Conservation Champion Award is Cathy Thompson.

Morton County Conservation District is part of the Hugoton Management Unit, with Seward County and Stevens County in Area 2 A continuing effort by MCCD is to reach out to county school systems to promote conservation in education. The annual poster, essay, and limerick contests always yield impressive entries. This year’s contests featured over 75 submissions. In order to recognize those educators who help us in our efforts, MCCD sponsors a Teacher of the Year Award. This award recognizes four outstanding teachers from each county school district who takes the extra time and effort to support our cause. Another big hit is the outside classroom held at the Middle Springs Recreation area of the Cimarron National Grasslands. This outside classroom is a day event for fifth graders from county and as well as area schools. The event is hosted by MCCD, NRCS, The United States Forest Service and Morton County Extension Office. The Morton County Conservation District has continued to assist local landowners with conservation related issues including Water Wells, Well Decommissioning, Water Facilities, Windbreaks, Fencing, and Pumping Plants for Water Supply. We enjoy working with our partners NRCS, FSA, K-State Extension, Kansas Wildlife and Parks, K-State Forester and many more to keep conservation on the ground. The district appreciates their county Commissioners for supporting us financially and working with us and our customers. We appreciate KACD and DOC for helping us implement our programs. Morton County Conservation District was chartered in 1948.

Riley County Conservation District recently celebrated its 75th anniversary of service to local landowners and producers. The District is proudly located in beautiful Manhattan, KS – home of the Kansas State Wildcats. The district owns and manages a streambank erosion demonstration trailer and frequently uses this educational tool at events throughout Riley and surrounding counties. The district also owns two no-till seed drills to promote conservation practices such as grassed waterways and cover crops. The conservation district has developed and sponsors a soil test cost-share program with the local Extension Office who passes the savings to Riley County landowners. This program is very well received by the local community and helps strengthen the partnership with the Extension office. The primary conservation practices supported by the district include terraces, waterways and livestock water. Recent drought conditions have resulted in a high demand for alternative watering sources such as spring developments and solar powered wells. The district makes every effort to maximize cost share funding to support high-priority conservation practices. Riley County Conservation District is engaged with a local organization that provides agricultural vocational training to veterans and others. It is called SAVE Farm. The support for SAVE Farm includes promotion of conservation practices and educational opportunities, as well as hosting farmer-to-farmer discussions during on-site events. In addition to SAVE Farm, the district is an active natural resource conservation partner with several local organizations including: Flint Hills Discovery Center, Konza Prairie Biological Station, NRCS Plant Materials Center, and Fort Riley. Riley County Conservation District is led by highly experienced and dedicated Supervisors – each are active farmers and ranchers in the community. Current supervisors have served continuously between 7 and 35 years. District staff are actively involved with the Envirothon Committee, the KACD-EO benefits taskforce, the Riley County Long-Term Planning Committee and the Kansas Water Authority Strategic Plan Development. The Riley County Conservation District was chartered in 1948.

The Seward County Conservation District is part of the Hugoton Management Unit, along with Morton County and Stevens County. This past March the district offered a dairy tour in conjunction with the Farmer-to-Farmer program sponsored by KACD to area producers. Producers joined together at the High Plains Ponderosa Dairy, Plains, KS. Over 50 producers traveled by bus to the dairy. The tour was followed by lunch and giveaways were provided by several of the dairy affiliates. Two of our county commissioners along with a retired state representative were also in attendance. The district sponsors several educational programs for local schools during the year. A Water Monitoring program is held annually in October for local 4th grade students. At this event Liberal’s Wastewater Management makes a presentation; the district brings in the streambank trailer for a hands on presentation; and a nature scavenger hunt showing how pollutants are passed down stream. The district holds a bookmark contest for local 5th grade students and winners are presented awards at the Annual Meeting. We partner with Seward Co Farm Bureau for an Ag Day which includes animal and tractor safety. Plans are being made to add a new Safety Day program next year. Our County Cost Share program is growing stronger each year. Of particular interest this year is Well Decommissioning, Watering Facilities, Windbreaks, Fencing, Irrigation Water Management, Pipelines and Pumping Plants for Water Supply. Seward County is co-sponsor of the Bottom Line Conference held annually in Kearny County. The Seward County Conservation District was chartered in 1948.

The Stafford County Conservation District promotes outreach and education for the youth and adults in the county. The district participates in the 4th grade Kids Ag Day by setting up the streambank trailer. Staff and supervisors volunteer at STEM Day events at the local school. For high school students, the district sponsors a camp scholarship for students to attend the Kansas Range Youth Camp. They also offer a conservation district scholarship to graduating seniors. In 2022, the Stafford County Conservation District, together with KACD, hosted a Rattlesnake Watershed Conservation Tour for KACD Directors, state and federal agency personnel, local legislators and commissioners to discuss collaborative and cooperative conservation efforts to address water quantity issues. This spring the district sponsored a lunch for a Stafford County Range Management Meeting. Speakers from K-State Research & Extension, NRCS, and Corteva spoke about various management practices, woody plant pests in Kansas, cost share programs and the proper usage of chemicals in range management. In the past two years, Stafford County state cost share applications have primarily addressed water quantity and grassland conservation concerns. The Irrigation Technology program has been very successful with almost $145,000 in IT funds being contracted and paid in Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024. The Stafford County Conservation District was organized in 1943.

Stevens County is part of the Hugoton Management Unit, along with Morton and Seward Counties. The Conservation District supports educational programs for local schools and producers. The district partners with the Morton County district to present the Outdoor Classroom on the Cimmaron National Grasslands. Students learn about our natural resources, fire ecology, grassland ecology, wind and water erosion, Santa Fe Trail and cultural resources education, skins and skulls and animal tracks, and much more on this day. They reach an average of 240 students annually. Stevens County schools participate in the Conservation Poster contest, and lessons have been taught using the Earth Ballon, Soil Tunnel Trailor, Sand Table, and Erosion Trailor The District offers scholarships to graduating seniors. These scholarships are funded by selling Drip Irrigation parts and by working with Hugoton FFA. The FFA members make bird escape ramps for the livestock tanks installed. The total amount of Scholarships to graduating seniors since 2007 is $64,200. The State Cost Share program in Morton County is growing stronger each year. Of particular interest this year in was Well Decommissioning, Watering Facilities, Windbreaks, Irrigation Water Management, Pipelines and Pumping Plants for Water Supply. For the past 10 years, installed conservation practices using approved cost share has totaled almost $272,000. Morton County enjoys working with partners NRCS, FSA, K-State Extension, Kansas Wildlife and Parks, K-State Forestry and others to keep conservation on the ground. The conservation district appreciates our county Commissioner’s for supporting us financially and working with us and our customers. We appreciate KACD and DOC for helping us implement our programs. The Stevens County Conservation District was organized 75 years ago in 1949.
 

For nearly 85 years, the positive impacts of conservation implementation and technical assistance has been a mainstay for the Wilson County Conservation District. The lasting legacy of conservation education events are evident throughout the county. Most notable activities are the long-running Wilson County Wildflower Tour which was established nearly three decades ago, an inventive Salt Creek clean out project; and safe burn and prescribed burn workshops. The district alternates between a Prescribed Burn Workshop and a Safe Burn Workshop. The Prescribed Burn Workshop incorporates K-State Research and Extension’s more general prescribed burn training and burn procedures. The Safe Burn Workshop topics respond to very local situations and incorporate a diverse speaker line-up. Topics covered at past Safe Burn Workshop have included a producer-dispatcher skit, explaining in real-time the procedure to notify about a burn in Wilson County; power pole safety and patch burning’s effects on wildlife.” Wilson County Conservation District participates in the KACD contests at schools throughout the county. They also coordinate annual county-wide third grade and sixth grade student conservation field days. In the last three years, Wilson County has had a diversity of state cost share conservation practice types paid out to farmers and ranchers to address conservation concerns in the district. During that time they averaged 10 different conservation practice types per year. Wilson County Conservation District Board of Supervisors strives to maintain good communication with Wilson County Commissioners. In that same effort, working with the Road and Bridge Department and the Noxious Weed Director, the Conservation District has helped provide landowners with pertinent information about local natural resource concerns while supporting local efforts to address them. For example, distributing information on potentially harmful plants such as Grecian Foxglove, and meeting in the field to identify the plant and explore best methods for destroying the plants which can be toxic to humans and livestock. District supervisors and staff are very active at the state level. District Manager Pam Walker is a key member of the KACD Youth and Education Committee and oversees state contests; and supervisors Rod Vorhees and Daryl Donahue serve on the State Conservation Commission and the KACD State Board of Directors respectively. The Wilson County Conservation District was organized in 1940.