Ferguson brothers awarded "Farmer of the Year" honor

The Bates County Soil and Water Conservation Department (SWCD) held its annual Cooperator Appreciation Open House on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at the USDA Building, located at Business 71 Highway and Nursery Street, in Butler.An awards ceremony began at 1 p.m. and awards were presented to area farmers for conservation and wildlife preservation. The winners of the county fourth grade poster contest were also presented with prizes.The Conservation Farmer of the Year Award went to the farming team of Carl Ferguson and Tom Ferguson. They have implemented over 1¼ miles of terraces, 67 acres of contouring, five water impoundment reservoirs and 28 acres of waterway on their own ground, as well as on ground they operate, utilizing the state cost-share program. The men have also assisted those involved with ground in the Conservation Reserve Program and the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program.Pictured: The Ferguson brothers of Adrian, Tom, left, and Carl, right, were the recipients of the Bates County Soil and Water Conservation Districts' Farmer of the Year Award. The Fergusons were honored for their diligent efforts in making conservation a priority in their farming operations.