An Annual Awards Banquet and Program is held in August to recognize landowners who have done outstanding work in soil conservation, windbreak establishment, and wildlife habitat development.
Conservation Teacher of the Year
The Conservation Teacher of the Year Award goes to a teacher that not only demonstrates passion and skill in the teaching of agriculture and soil and water conservation, but plays a pivotal role in fostering student involvement outside of the classroom.
Dennis Benson of Unity Christian High School is the county recipient of the Conservation Teacher of the Year Award. Mr. Benson was the Voc Ag teacher at Maple Valley Anthon Otto for 35 years. Two years ago, he started the Voc Ag program at Unity Christian High School in Orange City. Mr. Benson teaches units on soil science, air quality, integrated pest management, and natural resources. His students compete in soil judging, envirothon, nursery/landscaping, and floriculture contests. He takes students on summer trips which focus on agricultural and natural resource related activities that occur throughout the country. At both schools, he built greenhouses where students were in charge of growing, transplanting, watering, weeding, general maintenance, composting, and selling the product to the local community.
