Hart County Conservation District : Annual Awards Banquet
The Lifetime Conservation Award was presented to Deward Hensley (third from left) and Douglas Hensley. Kyle Hensley (second from left) accepted the award on behalf of his father, Douglas.
Katrina England
Reporter
Hart Co. News-Herald
The Hart County Conservation District held their annual awards program on March 25 at the Hart County Fairgrounds’ Floral Hall.
Sponsors of student awards were German American Bank, Peoples Bank, Cecilian Bank, Tri-County Auto & Oil, Hart County Farm Bureau, and TDM Cattle Company.
Dwayne Forbis announced that Hart County has 3,398 active farms, including 5 dairy operations. The conservation district’s purpose is to promote and participate in projects and activities for the conservation of the maintenance and the wise use of soil, water, and renewable resources within the district. To preserve and protect our land is of utmost importance.
A portion of those practices begin in schools, with the Jim Claypool art and writing contests. This year, across Hart County Schools there were 416 writing entries and 984 art entries, and they each were created using the theme “Protecting the Forest Together.”
Winners of the Writing Contest were:
1st Place- Emma Sanders, Hart County High School
2nd Place- Chloe Boone, Munfordville School
3rd Place- Melania Babcock, Legrande School
Winners of the Art Contest were:
1st Place- Ella Sanders, Cub Run School
2nd Place- Kason Cummings, Legrande School
3rd Place- Laney Shields, Memorial School
Ella Sanders’ winning art entry was displayed in the event program, and her sister, HCHS Senior, Emma Sanders, read her winning essay for those in attendance.
Bonnieville School, Munfordville School, and Legrande School also received monetary awards for having 100% participation.
Additional 2024 Conservation Awards:
– Outstanding Cooperator Award: Kenny Cobb of Magnolia;
– Progressive Young Farmer Award: Parker Meadows of Horse Cave;
– Diversification Award: Andre Barbour (Barbour Farms) of Canmer;
– Wildlife Habitat Improvement Award: Roundstone Native Seed;
– Youth Conservation Award (2024-2025): Emma Sanders; and
– Lifetime Conservation Award: Deward Hensley and Douglas Hensley.
District Conservation Art Contest Winners: 1st Place – Ella Sanders, 2nd Place – Kason Cummings, 3rd Place – Laney Shields (absent from photo).
District Conservation Writing Contest Winners: 1st Place – Emma Sanders, 2nd Place – Chloe Boone, 3rd Place – Melania Babcock.
Progressive Young Farmer Award was presented to Parker Meadows, left, of Horse Cave by Robert Thompson with Hedgepeth Supply.
Lifetime Conservation Award was presented to Deward Hensley, right, and Douglas Hensley, accepted by his son Kyle Hensley, left.
Outstanding Cooperator Award was presented to Kenny Cobb of Magnolia, right.
Wildlife Habitat Improvement Award was presented to Roundstone Native Seed.
Diversification Award was presented to Andre Barbour, right, with Barbour Farms of Canmer.
