MONROE - Two conservation awards will be presented Saturday at the Green County Breakfast on the Farm, Green County Conservationist Todd Jenson announced Tuesday.
Steve and Joni Babler have been selected as this year's Outstanding Conservation Farmers. The Bablers own 200 acres in Washington township. They purchased the farm in 1990.
They raise 45 acres of corn, 50 acres of soybeans and 60 acres of alfalfa. They also tend to 30 heifers for other farmers and have nine beef steers of their own. They sold their dairy herd in 1997.
All of the uplands on the farm are farmed to reduce erosion and keep moisture on the hillsides. For the past five years all of their crops have been no-till planted.
In 2002, they entered into a perpetual Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to create 5.5 acres of buffers along their stream. Trees and native prairie grass was planted in the buffer zone to protect the stream.
The area provides a wildlife cover along the stream. They have also planted hundreds of trees on the farm.
In addition, the Green County Wildlife Habitat Development Award will be presented to the Green County Conservation League.
The league organized in 1929 as the Green County Rod and Gun Club. The group raised thousands of young trout, pheasants and quail chicks, Jenson said.
The league changed its name to the Conservation League in 1953.
Over the years the group helped create Beckman Lake and encouraged people to plant trees.
The league continues to sponsor a gun show every spring, sends five students to outdoor camp every year, co-sponsors a fish-a-ree with the Monticello Lions Club, donates to youth hunts and performs a roadside clean-up twice a year.
- Brian Gray
Steve and Joni Babler have been selected as this year's Outstanding Conservation Farmers. The Bablers own 200 acres in Washington township. They purchased the farm in 1990.
They raise 45 acres of corn, 50 acres of soybeans and 60 acres of alfalfa. They also tend to 30 heifers for other farmers and have nine beef steers of their own. They sold their dairy herd in 1997.
All of the uplands on the farm are farmed to reduce erosion and keep moisture on the hillsides. For the past five years all of their crops have been no-till planted.
In 2002, they entered into a perpetual Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to create 5.5 acres of buffers along their stream. Trees and native prairie grass was planted in the buffer zone to protect the stream.
The area provides a wildlife cover along the stream. They have also planted hundreds of trees on the farm.
In addition, the Green County Wildlife Habitat Development Award will be presented to the Green County Conservation League.
The league organized in 1929 as the Green County Rod and Gun Club. The group raised thousands of young trout, pheasants and quail chicks, Jenson said.
The league changed its name to the Conservation League in 1953.
Over the years the group helped create Beckman Lake and encouraged people to plant trees.
The league continues to sponsor a gun show every spring, sends five students to outdoor camp every year, co-sponsors a fish-a-ree with the Monticello Lions Club, donates to youth hunts and performs a roadside clean-up twice a year.
- Brian Gray