At the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association (SSCA) Annual Conference in Saskatoon held in February, the Last Mountain Soil Conservation Group was presented with the Conservation Award of Merit. Sponsored by the SSCA and the Royal Bank, the award is designed to recognize organizations that have promoted soil conservation to farmers and the general public.
Due to the severe water erosion and gully formation in the area, the Last Mountain Soil Conservation group was organized March 11, 1985. The members farm in the Duval, Govan and Strasbourg area.
On a volunteer basis, the group implemented a variety of soil conservation practises including extending crop rotations, grassing waterways, planting field shelterbelts and direct seeding. At one time the group had 75 members. The large membership enabled the group to lease and try many different pieces of equipment such as a wide blade cultivator, grass barrier seed strip planter and various direct seeding units.
The Last Mountain Soil Conservation group also took the message of soil conservation into the schools. The members volunteered to make presentations on the importance of soil to students in Kindergarten right through to Grade 6.
The group also organized a number of tours of projects for its members and interested neighbours. Many of the members were encouraged to attend conferences and meetings to learn more about soil conservation in general and direct seeding in particular.
While the group is not as active today as in the early years, the members usually get together once a year to discuss soil conservation issues.