Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Conservation District was recently recognized as the Kentucky Association of Conservation District’s Outstanding Conservation District for 2012 at the 69th Annual KACD Convention in Louisville, KY.

Each year the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts recognizes the Outstanding Conservation District Programs. The KACD Recognition Program emphasizes the concepts of planning for success, organizing to give that service, and evaluating district services. The Annual Plan of Work and Annual Report are evaluated for depth, activities, projects, on the ground accomplishments, and services to cooperators, residents, and landowners.

The Butler County Conservation District provides many services to landowners in the area. Since 1996 the District has implemented 80 KY State Cost Share Practices totaling over half a million dollars. The Conservation District has administered five Phase 1 Tobacco Settlement Cost-Share Programs totaling over a quarter million dollars, providing cost share funds to approximately 214 landowners. Many other programs are promoted and sponsored through the Conservation District including the Soil Stewardship Program, Soil Judging, Tree Giveaway, the Envirothon, and 4-H and Extension Programs. The District also owns and maintains a no-till drill for landowners use. Since beginning the program in 1999, landowners have utilized the equipment to drill approximately 7500 acres. The drill has a warm season grass attachment and is leased to landowners for a reasonable fee.

Butler County Conservation District is overseen by seven district supervisors. The current Board of Supervisors consists of: Shane Wells, Darren Rice, David Newton, Steve McKinney, Boyd Penrod, Johnny Parrish, and Forest Taylor. The Conservation District also has two district employees: 50/50 technician Brent Barry, and Administrative Secretary Debbie Cardwell. The Conservation District also serves as home for Butler County’s NRCS District Conservationist Rick Burbridge, and the Division of Conservation Field Representative Shanna Drake. 

District Chairman, Shane Wells states that “We were very honored to receive this award for the second time in four years. Our district works hard to provide services to the citizens of Butler County and we are proud that we could be recognized for it.”

For more information about the Butler County Conservation District and their programs, please call at (270)-526-3784 or visit them at 216 West Ohio Street in Morgantown, Kentucky.