Annual Meeting Recap

Taylor Wilson, Conservation Technician and Outreach Assistant

The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District held the Annual Meeting on February 20th to showcase their activities in 2019.  During the meeting the District celebrated conservation, honored conservation awards winners, and held an election for a board supervisor. This year the District hosted Melissa Widhalm from the Purdue Climate Change Research Center to speak about climate change and Building Resiliency for Tomorrow's Climate.  

Each year the district awards organizations and individuals for outstanding work in protecting our natural resources. Conservation awards for 2019 included Jason Armour from the City of Fishers Storm Water Program was awarded the Outstanding Partner of Urban Conservation award. Kim Gauen was awarded the new individual partnership award for Outstanding Partner of Urban Conservation The Nature Conservancy was awarded the Partner in Conservation award. Amy Jo Farmer of Farmers Gold, Inc. won the River Friendly Farmer award, and Jennifer Jacks from Sand Creek Elementary won Outstanding Natural Resources Educator.  Doug Quear was also recognized with a Service Award for his contribution as Soil and Water District Board Supervisor since 2007. 
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Attendees re-elected Jared Kakasuleff as a supervisor for the Hamilton County SWCD Board. After the vote Hamilton County Council member Ken Alexander graciously conducted the oath of office. Jared is a grain farmer who lives in Arcadia, Indiana and has served 14 years on the SWCD board. Supervisors on the SWCD board give guidance and insight to the SWCD’s activities. The board meets once a month to discuss the goals of the District in relation to their five-year strategic plan. Board members serve a three-year term and donate their time to provide conservation leadership and help to protect the natural resources in Hamilton County.  

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