POINT PLEASANT — On Oct. 15 the Western Conservation District held its 63rd Annual Awards Banquet to honor local conservation award winners.

A crowd of 130 attended the event held at the West Virginia State Farm Museum near Point Pleasant. “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil” was the 2009 National Association of Conservation Districts Stewardship Theme, as well as the banquet theme.

The 2009 Conservation Farmers were honored with a presentation of their conservation practices. They also received an aerial photo of their farm, an award plaque, a farm sign, and cash awards.

The District and Mason County award went to the Millstone Road farm of Marlin and Phyllis Price of Apple Grove. The Jackson County farm of John and Paula Knopp of Station Camp Road/Leroy took top honors in their county. Alvin Stone, Glenn and Joetta Stone of Oak Hill/Liberty were awarded for Putnam County.

These farms worked closely with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in following their conservation farm plan. The WCD Supervisors with the technical assistance of NRCS staff select the award winning farms.

Educational awards were given out to Ravenswood Future Farmers of America for winning the WV Envirothon and WV Homesite Contests. Roane-Jackson Vocational School received $100 for the FFA-CD Contest.

Photo Contest winners in the Youth Category were Allene Conner and in the Adult Category, Jessica Grady won. Both received $50.

The Poster Contest winner was Aimee Neal. She was not present due to illness but will she received $50 as well.

This year Jeff L. Tomlin of Ripley High School was a WVACD Scholarship recipient.

Supervisors of the Western Conservation District were recognized. They include Robert C. Baird, Chairman; Oscar Harris, Vice-Chairman; Jacqueline Wright, Treasurer; John Nibert, Secretary; Michael Wolpert, and Ellen Mills-Pauley.