Conservation Conversation

Outstanding Conservation Farmer …Wayne Lambert Approximately 100 people convened at Dick Kleberg Park in the Recreational Building for the 11th Kleberg-Kenedy Soil and Water Conservation District’s (SWCD’s) Annual Conservation Awards Banquet to honor outstanding conservation achievers for 2010.

The current Board of Directors include: Chairman, John Prukop; Vice-Chairman, Trey Quackenbush; Secretary, Vern Crocker; Directors; David Schubert and Ernest Bippert, Jr.

Those in attendance included farmers, ranchers, students, parents, educators and professionals. A comprehensive conservation program is carried out with landowners and operators of land within Kleberg and Kenedy counties from assistance provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Kingsville.

Others who contributed during the ceremonies consisted of Frank R. Baca, soil conservationist with the NRCS and Mollie Stevens, Technical Services Provider along with Rebecca Cunningham and Julian T. Vela, District Technicians.

John Prukop and Justin Stiles- Sarita Elementary The NRCS assists cooperators to protect, maintain and sustain the natural resources of soil, water, air, plants and animals for future generations. Landowner and/or operator goals and objectives are considered during this assistance. Appropriate practices are planned and applied to solve specific conservation problems. Many times these practices are referred to as Best Management Practices (BMP’s).

Chairman Prukop welcomed the attendees to the Banquet and gave a brief history on the soil and water conservation district movement in Texas from the 1930’s to the present. A PowerPoint slide show was given during his narration on the history.

The Chairman emphasized the history of the local Kleberg-Kenedy Soil and Water Conservation District since its inception and approval on August 13, 1997.

Junior Pos ter Winners — McKahla De La Rosa - Nanny Elementary, Frankie Escobedo - Santa Gertrudis, Jessica Esfahani - Nanny Elementary, Kendall Huff - Nanny Elementary, Miranda Guerrero - Nanny Elementary. Another historic event occurred on November 19, 2009 with the approval by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation District Board of the final annexation of the southwestern part of Kenedy County into the District. History was made since all lands in the state of Texas are within a boundary of a soil and water conservation district.

A catered dinner was then served by the Knights of Columbus #3389 in Kingsville. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Robert Schmidt, District Conservationist (DC), with the NRCS in Kingsville introduced special guests in attendance. Commissioners, state and federal agency employees as well as teachers, educators and administrators were recognized for their efforts in promoting soil and water conservation within the District. Schmidt also told the crowd that the poster and essay as well as outstanding award recipients would also receive a Certificate of Excellence from State Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. from District 27.

Junior Esa y Winners — Cheyenne Unterbrink - Riviera De La Paz, Bianca Barrera - Santa Gertrudis, (Not pictured are Esteban L. Villalon - Santa Gertrudis, Jerry Medellin - Riviera De La Paz, Anthony Montez - Santa Gertrudis) Outstanding Conser-vation Farmer for 2010 was Wayne Lambert of L&L Farms who has been in the farming business for 47 years in the highly unpredictable weather and climate of South Texas. His crop rotation consists of the drought tolerant crops of grain sorghum and cotton

Mr. Lambert realizes the importance of managing the residues from the previous crop on the soil surface to protect the soils from wind and water erosion and to better the environment especially with the drought conditions of this past year. To accomplish this – he minimizes tillage across the fields so as not to incorporate the stalks and leaves into the soil but to leave them on the soil surface.

Senior Pos ter Winners — Bianca Barrera- Santa Gertrudis, Justin Stiles - Sarita Elementary, Andrew Hernandez - Sarita Elementary, Kevin Kizer - Santa Gertrudis, Marisela Alvarez - Santa Gertrudis. Mr. Lambert utilizes herbicides instead of tillage for weed control and as a burn down on his crops. He gathers soil tests to determine nutrient needs especially with the high cost of fertilizer and to keep the fertilizer from running off into the ditches and streams so as to protect water quality.

Lambert incorporates fertilizer as well as herbicide with one trip to increase efficiency and save on fuel. He routinely scouts his crops for pests and uses Integrated Pest Management such as economic threshold levels in order to protect the environment and to again save expenses and not apply anymore than is needed to produce a crop.

Tania Rodriguez- Presbyterian Pan American School Mr. Lambert uses the latest in equipment and technology to plant through a high residue environment. For his conservation efforts to transition into conservation farming in order to protect, improve, and sustain the soil, water, and other resources, the Kleberg-Kenedy SWCD #356 took great pleasure in presenting the plaque for 2010 to Wayne Lambert of L&L Farms as Outstanding Conservation Farmer in the District.

Outstanding Conservation Rancher for 2010 was Cindy and Joe Flores who operate a cow/calf operation in Kleberg County. They have improved pastures of Bermudagrass as well as some native pastures. To keep their improved pastures free of brush, Cindy and Joe routinely treat the individual mesquite and huisache seedlings following the recommendations of brush control experts.

Senior Esa y Winners — Tania Rodriguez - Presbyterian Pan American School, Karla Reyes - Presbyterian Pan American School, Richard Reyes - Santa Gertrudis, Carlos Yerena - Santa Gertrudis, (Not Pictured is Nathaniel Gant - Santa Gertrudis). Water development started with drilling of a water well. Several pipelines were installed in strategic locations. Over a mile of cross-fences was installed so a rotational grazing system could be developed.

Cindy and Joe understand the importance of applying good grazing principles so as to maintain grass height and vigor. They also leave mottes of brush for wildlife food and cover in their native pasture. They are planning on selectively thinning out some of the brush to balance the livestock and wildlife needs.

Robert Schmidt accepts an award for Selfless Service from the Kenedy/Kleberg Soil and Water Conservation District. For these outstanding efforts in managing their natural resources, the Kleberg-Kenedy Soil and Water Conservation District No. 356 board was pleased to present the plaque to Cindy and Joe Flores as Outstanding Conservation Rancher in the District for 2010.

Outstanding Conservation Teacher for 2010 was Edgar Ortega who is a Rio Grande native. He moved to Kingsville to attend Texas A&M University- Kingsville. He finished his career as a student in 2007 with a degree in Agricultural Science and a minor in Plant and Soil Science. He then pursued a career as a teacher and currently works at Presbyterian Pan American School.

He teaches several different subjects including Biology, Aquatic Science, Plant and Soil Science, Landscape Design and Construction. Through his encouragement, the students are active in landscaping at the school.

Forrest Smith, Keith Pawelek, Roberto Obregon - South Texas Natives - Outstanding Conservation Partner. He helps his students understand and appreciate the subjects of science and agriculture so they have a better appreciation of protecting the environment so we can continue to enjoy the safe and abundant food supply that we take for granted everyday in our lives.

He also teaches soil and water conservation to his students as exemplified by several of them participating in the local District essay contest. The students have received awards for their efforts. He also is the 4-H Wood Shop Project Leader.

During his time off from teaching he participates in a work study program at the Plant Materials Center. He has been doing this for three years and two summers. For motivating his students to learn the importance of natural resource conservation through teaching and participation, the Kleberg-Kenedy SWCD #356 was honored to present Mr. Edgar Ortega with the Outstanding Conservation Teacher for 2010.

Outstanding Conservation Rancher …Cindy and Joe Flores The Outstanding Conservation Partner Award for 2010 is South Texas Natives. The STN’s staff consists of: Coordinator- Forrest Smith; Production Manager- Keith Pawelek; Research Associate- Roberto Obregon; and Office Coordinator- Annette Peterson.

South Texas Natives was initiated in 2000 and formalized in 2001 due to concerns from landowners who realized the possibility of non-native plant species spreading from the proposed I-69 corridor, and because of concerns regarding habitat degradation, and lack of ability to restore native habitats for wildlife.

John Prukop, David Schubert, Robert Schmidt, Vern Crocker, Trey Quackenbush. South Texas Natives have collected 1,751 seed collections throughout the region. These collections will be used for evaluation, selection, and eventually the release of seeds for native plantings. These seeds are then planted to produce an increase and to undergo selection.

Eventually the seed bank is large enough for these grasses to produce seed for commercial production and will be released. Pink Pappusgrass is a good example of one which will be released in 2010. Grasses are not the only natives produced. Rio Grande Clammy Weed is in production which provides food and cover for wildlife.

South Texas Natives in cooperation with the USDANRCS Kika De LaGarza PMC, and Texas Agrilife Research-Beeville have released 12 different native plant varieties. These releases are then used in rangeland seeding, restoration, and habitat restoration. One native planting was done just outside of Kingsville with great results. They currently have 12 research and demonstration sites spread throughout the region.

Outstanding Conservation Teacher ...Egar Ortega (Presbyterian Pan American School) Restoration of degraded farmlands has proven to be effective. The end result is a pasture that is more conservation friendly, has increased biodiversity, and is aesthetically pleasing. Other uses include the ever increasing interest in native landscaping and xeriscaping.

South Texas Natives also provides many other resources to the public, professional and private sectors through outreach programs such as the Tangle Head Research project.

South Texas Natives had a field laser leveled to prepare it for planting of their next native plantings that will be evaluated for specific uses in South Texas.

Much of this new plot space will be used to produce seed of native forbs for landowners to use to improve wildlife habitat in exotic grass dominated areas.

Frank Baca, John Prukop, David Schubert, Becky Cunningham, Robert Schmidt, Trey Quackenbush, Julian Vela, Mollie Stevens. The South Texas Natives have a facility at the Tio and Janell Kleberg Wildlife Research Park where they plant natives and conduct evaluations to meet the goals and objectives of farmers and ranchers in South Texas. All of this is done with conservation and protection of our natural resources in mind.

For the outstanding efforts and dedication in native plant development, evaluation, and production, the Kleberg-Kenedy SWCD #356 was pleased to present the Outstanding Conservation Partner award to the South Texas Natives, Forrest S. Smith – coordinator.

There were 122 Posters and 71 Essays submitted by students from Sarita Elementary, Santa Gertrudis school, Riviera De La Paz Middle School, Riviera Nanny Elementary, and Presbyterian Pan American school.

The Posters were based on the 2010 theme of “Conservation Habits = Healthy Habits”. The NACD is using this theme to help people understand what conservation truly means.

It could also be based on the 2009 theme of “Dig it! The Secrets of Soil.” The NACD used this theme in partnership with Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the Soil Science Society of America. This collaboration will complement the Smithsonian “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil” exhibit which ran July 19, 2008 through January 3, 2010 at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C, and travel to museums across the United States from May 2010 to September 2013.

The essays were based on the theme of “What Soil and Water Conservation Means to Me”. The contest is designed to express to students the importance of soil and water resources and how they are linked to providing abundant food, clean water and air, improved soils, and abundant wildlife habitat.

This is especially important with increasing world as well as American population. Food and fiber is basically being produced on the same amount of land with about 1.5 percent of our population being involved in production agriculture.

It was open to students 18 years and under. The State Board divided this contest into a Junior Division (13 years and below) and a Senior Division (14 to 18 years old). Tania Rodriguez from Presbyterian Pan American School read her award-winning essay to the attendees.

The top five junior and senior poster and essay recipients were awarded beautiful plaques by Directors Vern Crocker and Trey Quackenbush, respectively. The top three over-all posters and top three essays in each division from the District were submitted to the Area III Contest. Area III covers 50 Counties and 46 Districts south of line from Laredo through San Antonio to Houston.

Then, Audrey L. Pena was recognized with a plaque for her assistance to the Board of Directors as a District employee from 2007 through 2009. Robert W. Schmidt was surprised with a beautiful plaque for his assistance to the Kleberg-Kenedy Soil and Water Conservation District #356 since their formation in August of 1997.

In closing, Chairman Prukop thanked all who took part in the Banquet including those that served the delicious meal and desserts. The Board would like to congratulate all the award recipients, judges, and thank everyone else for their part in making the 11th annual banquet a success. He also recognized the teachers, students, and parents for motivating the students to participate and learn from the poster and essay contest.

The Chairman also thanked the contributors who make it possible for the District to hold the Annual Awards Banquet every year.

The Board looks forward to assisting the producers in Kleberg and Kenedy Counties in the future and everyone needs to do their part in making a difference in the conservation of our natural resources.

We need to continue to support our agricultural community. The Board looks forward to seeing everyone again next year.

Prukop closed with a quote from Mr. V. C. Marshall known as the father of the Soil and Water Conservation District Program in Texas “The soil conservation district is the workshop through which those who love the land pool their efforts and information in making land more stable and productive and our country more prosperous, more attractive and better land in which to live. The fact that landowners themselves have the responsibility for petitioning for and voting in a district, formulating its program and work plan, administering its business and entering into cooperative agreements with their fellow landowners and operators, makes soil conservation districts a democracy in action.”