Scott Fetters, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, left, presented the Friend of Conservation Award to Velma Pfleiderer and her late husband Glen, during the Kosciusko County SWCD’s annual meeting.

Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The 68th annual Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District meeting Tuesday, Feb. 18, saw two area residents elected as supervisors and two Wawasee FFA members recognized as top soil judgers in the county.

Ben Schlipf, Milford, was reelected to his second three-year term as a supervisor.

Roger Miller, North Webster area, was also elected to fill the remaining two-year term of Jewel Wise. Wise has been elected to the state SWCD.

Gabe Ihnen and Wyatt Shafer, members of Wawasee FFA, were among the four students recognized by the SWCD as the top high school soil judgers. Two other students, Katie Stookey and Luke Tucker, from Tippecanoe Valley High School, were also recognized.

Ed Boggs, left, is shown with the River Friendly Farmer award, he received from David Ransbottom, right, SWCD chairman.

The annual meeting, held at the Zimmer-Biomet Pavilion, Warsaw, provides an opportunity for the public to hear a year in review by SWCD staff, elect supervisors and the presentation of four awards.

Ed Boggs was the recipient of the River Friendly Farmer Award. This award recognizes farmers who implement conservation practices protecting and enhancing Indiana’s rivers, lakes and streams. It’s based on criteria which rate conservation practices, including erosion control and nutrient and pest management.

Boggs has implemented cover crops, no-till, nutrient management, hay, land and pasture planting and a grade stabilization structure on his approximately 920 acres of cropland and his beef farm. His current operation still utilizes many of these conservation practices to ensure continued protection of Kosciusko County and Indiana’s rivers, lakes and streams.

Scott Fetters, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, presented the Friend of Conservation Award to Velma Pfleider and her late husband, Glen. This award serves as a symbol of recognition for dedication to the preservation and protection of natural resources honoring those who go above and beyond in making significant contributions to the conservation efforts within the community.

Glen Pfleider has been an integral part of SWCD for over 29 years, contributing countless hours and volunteering at many events.  Fetters stated he has known the Pfleiders since around 1999 and they became friends. He helped plant 20,000 seedlings on their property near the Kosciusko/Wasbash county line as well as 12 acres of prairie plantings on the SR 13 farm. He noted he has received permission to hunt on the property for rabbits, pheasant and quail. “It was a lifetime opportunity,” Fetters said about working along side Glen, who spent time in his retirement “volunteering with the SWCD tree sale until his passing.”

The Outstanding Volunteer Award, celebrating volunteerism for the SWCD, recognizes volunteers as an integral part of the conservation community, furthering conservation efforts across the county and beyond. The award was presented to Monica Grubbs, who has volunteered with the SWCD since 2016.

Monica Grubbs, center, received the Outstanding Volunteer Award. On the left is David Ransbottom, SWCD chairmn and on the right is Amanda Heltzel, education coordinator.

Grubbs started volunteering when she helped to bring the Indiana Master Naturalist program to the county as part of the local advisory committee. She has donated hours of volunteer time to the program, tree sales, school programs and rafting trips. It was stated she can often be found teaching local students about water quality, trees and more. She was noted as bringing energy and enthusiasm to the SWCD volunteer team.

Randy Dahms, principal at Mentone Elementary, was the recipient of the Conservation Educator of the Year. This award recognizes the dedication and commitment of educators, who go above and beyond to instill a deep appreciation of the natural world in students.

Dahms was nominated for the award by colleague Scott Sterk for his unwavering dedication to environmental education and innovative approach to fostering partnerships, which have made an impact on students at Mentone and Akron elementary schools. Sterk noted Dahms has been instrumental in forging a partnership with the Kosciusko SWCD, which has opened the door for over 600 students to engage in hands-on learning through SWCD field trips to explore conservation concepts in a tangible and meaningful way. Dahms also took the initiative to secure a grant for a set of waders to be used by students to engage with aquatic ecosystems.

Year In Review

Randy Dahms, left, principal of Mentone Elementary, received the Conservation Educator of the Year award. David Ransbottom, SWCD chairman, presented the award.

A year in review was given by Tashina Lahr-Manifold, soil health specialist; Amanda Heltzel, education coordinator; and Dawn Armey, technical programs.

During their presentations, upcoming events, such as Soil Con 2025, March 18, in Syracuse; and a farmer’s breakfast and round table Feb. 27 at North Webster, were noted.

SWCD’s education programs reached 3,505 students, and provided 21 adult programs.

There were 14,000 tree seedlings sold and planted last year, 34 soil samples for gardens and small farms tested through the Urban Soil program, and two landfill inspections.

It was noted over $53,380 in grants were received in 2024 to provide programs or purchase materials, such as pocket-sized peepers for little bird seekers and wet waders for little learners.