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County farmers honored at Indiana State Fair

Monday, August 18, 2008
Times Staff Report

(Photo)
Indiana State Department of Agriculture acting director Ken Klemme (left) and Indiana Farm Bureau President Don Villwock (right) present (center, from left) Victor and William Morris their 2008 River Friendly Farmer award. Courtesy Photo. [Order this photo]
INDIANAPOLIS -- Sixty-five Indiana farmers, including two from Clay County, were honored recently as the 2008 River Friendly Farmer award winners at the Indiana State Fair.

The ceremony took place on Farmer's Day at the 4-H Exhibit Hall auditorium in a ceremony attended by state and federal conservation partners, family and friends.

"As the Indiana State Fair celebrates the Year of Trees during the fair's 12-day run, this is a perfect time to recognize Hoosier farmers for the conservation practices they implement day-in and day-out to protect our valuable natural resources," President of the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Jim Droege said.

(Photo)
Indiana State Department of Agriculture acting director Ken Klemme (left) and Indiana Farm Bureau President Don Villwock (right) present James Casassa his 2008 River Friendly Farmer award. Courtesy Photo.
The Indiana Association of Soil and Water also served as the award sponsor and a total of 37 of the 65 farmers honored were present at the ceremony.

The two Clay County farmers honored this year were James Casassa and William and Victor Morris.

"Farmers use many conservation practices to reduce soil erosion on cropland and protect water quality," Droege said.

"Trees also play an important role in the conservation Best Management Practice tool kit as riparian forest buffers to improve water quality, providing critical wildlife habitat areas, and certainly by providing oxygen for all of us.

"One acre of young trees supplies enough oxygen to keep 18 people alive. Perhaps trees' most important role for farmers and all of us is holding soil in place, providing a key soil erosion prevention tool," Droege added.

River Friendly Farmer award winners are nominated locally by their county Soil and Water Conservation District.

For additional information on the awards, contact the IASWCD at 317-692-7325.

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Congratulations to all farmers ~ especially to Casassa Farms ~ generation after generation has kept this farm top knotch in our community!

-- Posted by karebabe on Tue, Aug 19, 2008, at 8:04 AM

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