Shown are the winners of the Elkhart Soil and Water Conservation District 2021 awards. In the front, from left, are Craig Blough, Michelle Blough, Woodsbrook Farms, Inc; Greg Jones, Panzica Building Corporation.
In the back are, Jeff Zavatsky, Elkhart Environmental Center; Mark Brookins, Brookins Farms, LLC;
John Bowers, Elkhart County Landfill.

News Release

GOSHEN — The 80th annual meeting of the Elkhart Soil and Water Conservation District was held Tuesday, March 15, at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen.

Those who made an outstanding contribution in conservation were recognized. Award winners were: Conservation Farmer of the Year, Brookins Farms LLC, New Paris; River Friendly Farmer, Woodsbrook Farms Inc., Goshen; Friend of the SWCD, John Bowers, Elkhart County Landfill; Educator of the Year, Jeff Zavatsky, Elkhart Environmental Center, and Urban Conservationist of the Year, Greg Jones of Panzica Building Corp.

Along with the awards, Dale Leer, supervisor and election committee chair, conducted the supervisor election. Alex Wait of Elkhart was reelected to serve a three-year term on the SWCD board. Elkhart County Commissioner Brad Rogers administered the oath of office to Wait.

Online influencer Michelle Miller, known as the “Farm Babe” was the keynote speaker.