By Dewey Terrill

JC Post

The Geary County Conservation District has announced that Hildebrand Farms is the recipient of the 2018 Kansas Bankers Association Water Quality Conservation Award, and Winfred Wilson’s grassland in southern Geary County has been selected for the 2018 district’s Grassland Management Award.

The Water Quality Conservation Award is sponsored by the Kansas Bankers Association and KSU Extension, and has been presented in Geary County annually since 1945. It recognizes those farms that have implemented water quality practices on their land to protect water resources. KSU Extension Agricultural Agent Chuck Otte is the local chairman for the award committee and Mike Anderes from Central National Bank is the Key Banker sponsoring the award.

Located west of Junction City, Hildebrand Farms is family-owned and operated and includes producing premium dairy and beef products. It is owned and operated by David and Kathy Hildebrand, Alan and Mary Hildebrand.

The Grassland Management Award has been presented in Geary County since 2007. Conservation District Chair Sarah Schmidt said, “We want to recognize all sizes of farms and ranches and hope that the award inspires others to help protect the Flint Hills as it is one of the last areas of tallgrass prairies in the world.”

Winfred Wilson currently resides in Camarillo, California with her husband Dr. Robert Wilson. She graduated from Junction City High School and then from Kansas State University in 1959. She stated the land has been in her family for many years

Pat and Angela Beavers have run cattle on the land for many years and help burn and spray when needed. They recently applied for the USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program for a water well, solar pump and tank for a dependable water supply after the recent drought.

The two awards will be presented at the Geary County Conservation District annual meeting January 24th at the 4-H Center in Junction City.