Bates County Soil and Water Conservation District Open House

by Elizabeth Davis

The Bates County Soil and Water Conservation District held their annual Cooperator Appreciation Open House on March 11, 2015, at the USDA Building, 625 W. Nursery, Butler, MO, with 50 people who had signed up by the noon hour and many more who dropped in throughout the day. Refreshments were served throughout the day with a luncheon of sandwiches, baked beans and other foods served from 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

A supervisor election for Areas 1 and 3 was held from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The candidates were Doug Cox for Area 1 and Mike Rapp for Area 3. Write in ballots were also permitted.

The highlight of the day for many attendees was the Annual Fourth Grade Poster Contest. This year’s theme was “Local Heros, Your Hard Working Pollinators” Posters were judged at 50% on theme, 20% for visual appeal and on down from there for other criteria.

In all, 165 fourth graders from seven area schools participated in the event. From each class, a first place winner was picked and from those eleven, the field was narrowed to the four winners who were introduced at the Wednesday Open House.

This year’s Bates County winners are as follows:

4th Place – Elyssa Wackerman – Adrian School, daughter of Gerry Wackerman

3rd Place – Braden Warmbrodt – Hudson School, daughter of Mitch & Karen Warmbrodt

2nd Place – Ayren Rapp – Zion Lutheran School, daughter of Wade & Aylesa Rapp

1st Place – Makayla Mallatt – Butler School, daughter of Mike & Michelle Mattatt

Pictured from left are: 1st Place: Makayla Mallatt, Butler Elementary, 2nd Place: Ayren Rapp, Zion Lutheran School, 3rd Place: Braden Warmbrodt, Hudson Elementary, 4th Place: Elyssa Wackerman, Adrian Elementary

Each of the four winners received a trophy and a small cash prize for placing first in their school. The 1st place winner will advance to the State level competition to be held next November at the Annual Training Conference at TanTarA Resort in the Lake of the Ozarks. We would like to thank the schools, teachers and parents for allowing their students to be a part of this activity. And thank you to all the students who submitted a poster – you are the future of our Conservation Nation and each and everyone of the posters showed a genuine interest in preserving our Natural Resources through good conservation practices.

Everyone in attendance seemed to have a good time and their presence was much appreciated in helping to make a fun day for all.

Board Members in attendance were: Darrell Stevener, Chairman, Mark Nelson, Vice-Chairman, Mark Jenner, Secretary, Doug Cox, Treasurer and Dillion Franklin, Member.

NRCS Personnel in attendance were: Alan Hayes, Dean Borland, Roger Wombwell and Kyleigh Trickey.

SWCD Personnel in attendance were: Brad Powell and Elizabeth Davis

We would like to thank everyone that attended our Open House and hope it was as enjoyable for the attendees as it was for our Staff.

Bates County Soil and Water Conservation District Open House