The Royal Bank of Canada and the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association recently announced the recipients of the Conservation Family of the Year Award and the Conservation Group of the Year Award.
The 1998 Conservation Family of the Year Award recognized the achievements of Nestor and Vesper Kowalsky of Richard, Saskatchewan. The producers of N.V. Farms Ltd. were chosen for their many conservation methods including a 12 year history of min-till followed by 5 years of zero till practices, and the conversion of abandoned farmyards and marginal land into wildlife habitats. The Kowalskys state they have no desire to return to conventional tillage, noting that zero till has not only improved the tilth of their soils, but also increased their overall grain production as a result of better water infiltration. They have also been active participants in the Ducks Unlimited "Conserve and Win" winter wheat program to reduce springtime soil disturbance.
The 1998 Conservation Group of the Year was awarded to the District 31 A.D.D. Board of Nipawin. This Board has implemented one of the most successful soil conservation programs in the province. When they began their direct seeding programs in 1989, many producers believed these methods would not work in this area. But District 31 established demonstration sites that showed the success and profitability of these methods, and communicated this success through meetings, tours, reports, and a homemade video. Because of their efforts, direct seeding and min-till systems are now being used on more than 20% of the grey wooded soils in this region. District 31 has also actively promoted a shelterbelt planting program by constructing tree planters and a special herbicide applicator.
Winners were presented with gifts from the Royal Bank of Canada. Their names have been added to the list of winners on a plaque awarded annually by the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association. The awards were presented at the Association's annual banquet in Regina on February 11th.