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The Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District held their Annual Meeting & Workshop on March
6th, 2007. Public attendance was excellent with approximately 110 people registered. Four breakout sessions were held,
including Harnessing Renewably-Generated Electricity in Indiana, The Economics
of Bio-Fuels, Backyard Pond Design and the SWCD Backyard Conservation Program, and the Importance of Watershed Planning &
Discussion of Local Projects.
Keynote speaker Phil Anderson, Executive Director of Indiana Rural Development Council, Inc., addressed
the crowd just before lunch, and his inspirational message concerning rural Indiana was well received. The IRDC's
purpose is "to facilitate efforts of citizens and other stakeholders to meet the economic and social needs of rural Indiana
by cultivating innovative ideas with rural communities to be great places to live, learn, work and play". A catered lunch
provided by Class Act Catering of Tipton/Howard Counties was a big hit as well.
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| Phil Anderson - Executive Director of IRDC |
Mr. Anderson presents his keynote address to the crowd.
Les Zimmerman, representing the Indiana Coalition for Renewably-Generated Electricity in Indiana, discusses
the feasibility of wind energy in Indiana.
Angie Brown, Watershed Specialist with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, discusses the
importance of watershed planning.
Attendees listening to Angie's watershed planning session.
Chris Hurt, Agriculture Economist with Purdue, discusses the economics of bio-fuels.
Landowners show much interest in bio-fuels as this will likely change the face of agriculture in Indiana.
Participants listen to a presentation by John Thomas of Waterscapes, on backyard pond design and the
SWCD Backyard Conservation Program.
Beth Neilson, of Williams Creek Consulting, gives an overview of the Duck Creek Watershed Project in Hamilton
County. The SWCD has contracted with Williams Creek to facilitate in the development of a watershed management plan for this
watershed.
Chairman Rodney Rulon introduces the SWCD awards program and business portion of the annual meeting
program.
Dan McCord (L) is shown here receiving the "Friend of Conservation Award" from Mark McCauley (SWCD) for
his dedication and service in promoting natural resources education in Hamilton County.
The Sheridan FFA soil judging team was the 2006 winner of the regional soil judging competition
between Hamilton and Boone Counties. Winning team members include (L-R) Grant Gossard, Zac Wallace, David
Stillman, Nick McVey, and coach Phil Carter.
The "River Friendly Farmer Award" is given in recognition of farmers who demonstrate good stewardship of
the land they farm. Jim Flanders Jr. (R), of Flanders A-maizing Grain, accepts the 2006 award from Mark McCauley (L), Resource
Conservationist with the Hamilton County SWCD.
SWCD Chairman Rodney Rulon (L) presents Shirley Ooley (R), Urban Conservationist with the Hamilton
County SWCD, with a service award. Shirley is planning to retire in May of 2007.
Brad Beaver (center), Hamilton County Councilor, administers the Oath of Office to board members Tom Sherrill
(L) and Steve Webster (R).
Warren Baird (L), State Soil Conservation Board, presents Hamilton County SWCD Chairman Rodney Rulon (R)
with a Clean Water Indiana Grant Recipient Award.
Crowd begins to disperse as the SWCD Annual Meeting comes to an end.
See you next year in 2008 !
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