At the 1996 SSCA annual meeting and conference once again two
conservation awards were presented.
The recipient of the Conservation Producer Award was Ken
Allport from Kyle. Ken's long term goal is the elimination of
wind erosion and improved soil quality on his farm. He has
achieved this goal through incorporation of a number of
practices. In the mid 80's he started doing some work with both
chemfallow and wide blade tillage to maintain trash cover. Along
with this he planted some shelter belts on his fields. As this
work progressed he moved to direct seeding to eliminate erosion
further. This has been an excellent progression in developing a
system that reduces erosion and is also economic. Production of
lentils and more recently chickpea, are an important part of the
rotations that are contributing to soil quality
enhancement.
The addition of straight combining in recent years has given
Ken the ability to improve water conservation on his farm. This
is critical to the Brown Soil Zone.
Ken was one of the founding members of the Saskatchewan Soil
Conservation Association and served as president of the SSCA in
1990.
Congratulations to Ken Allport, well deserving recipient of
the Conservation Producer Award 1996.
The group conservation award went to the Seager Wheeler Farm
from the Rosthern area.
The Seager Wheeler Farm is being operated, restored and
developed by volunteers. The Seager Wheeler Historic Farm Society
acquired the farm in 1994 which has a history of innovative
agricultural conservation practices.
One of Mr. Wheeler's most notable quotes (1922) was: "The soil
is ours to make or mar and we should aim to leave it, when the
time comes to pass it on.. In as good or better condition than
when it first came under our hand."
The land was sitting there since 1947 when Mr. Wheeler left
the farm. The Society acquired the farm and is in the process of
bringing the farm to the forefront as an agricultural education
venue. Soil conservation and a coexistence of nature will be the
major themes within the farm.
The official opening of the farm will be held on June 1, 1996.
Education venues will be created throughout the farm. Kiosks and
information plates throughout the farm will outline the history
of agriculture and soil conservation practices. Seeding trends
1996, the third consecutive direct seeding field day will also be
held on June 1.
The Seager Wheeler Farm will proudly be displaying the 1996 Group Conservation Award at its Conservation Education Venue.