GALLIPOLIS — The Gallia Soil and Water Conservation District honored local residents for their contributions to the agricultural industry over the past year during its annual meeting held Thursday evening. The meeting was held at the First Church of the Nazarene Family Life Center in Gallipolis.

In addition to the many awards handed out, it was announced that current members Bob Woodward and Joe Dailey were re-elected to serve three-year terms on the District Board of Supervisors. Woodward is current president and Dailey is secretary of the board.

Jim and Debbie Walker were recipients of the Cooperator of the Year Award for 2009. They have been cooperators since 1974. The Walker’s 340-acre farm — featuring 60 brood cows — is located near Thurman.

The Conservation Farm Family Award for 2009 was presented to Mike and Star Smith, who work a 400-acre spread that includes 160 acres of woodland. The rest of the farm is cattle pasture and hay fields.

The evening took an emotional turn for the presentation of the 2009 Farm Woman of the Year Award, which was given to the late Thelma Hanner Woodward. Her husband, Tom, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren gathered to accept the award on her behalf. Mrs. Woodward passed away in August of this year.

John and Jennifer Sipple received the Beginning Farmer Award for 2009. The Sipples have three children, Anthony, Wyatt and Ryelee. The two boys are active 4-H members in the county.

The 2009 Distinguished Service Award went to Rusty Martin, owner of the Gallipolis Vault Company on Ohio 141, Gallipolis. He has owned the business since 1947.

The recipient of the 2009 Gallia SWCD Scholarship is Cody Crawford, son of Steve Crawford and the late Alice Crawford. He is an alumnus of South Gallia High School and is studying agronomy and psychology at Wilmington College. His father accepted the award on his behalf.

The soil judging contest produced the following results:

• Individual Ag — First place tie between Tiffany Lewis, Gallia Academy; Kody Roberts, Gallia Academy; and Trevor Baker, River Valley. Second place tie between Justin Mabe, River Valley, and Drew Shong, Gallia Academy. Third place tie between Eric Zinn, River Valley; Ryan Perry, River Valley; and Brett Lambert, River Valley.

• Individual Urban — First place, Brooke Bowie, Gallia Academy; second place, Cory Angell, Gallia Academy; third place, Drew Shong, Gallia Academy.

• Ag Team — Tiffany Lewis, Kody Roberts, Drew Shong, all from Gallia Academy.

• Urban Team — Brooke Bowie, Cory Angell, Drew Shong, all from Gallia Academy.

There were 17 entries in the Photo Contest. The following individuals received awards:

• First Place — Michelle Black (Feeding the Woodpeckers)

• Second Place — Kathy Jones-Hodges (Duck Swimming in the water)

• Honorable Mention — Logan Black (Turkey in the woods)

In the Kindergarten Coloring Contest, Bailey Barnette of Addaville Elementary won first place and Brynna Weaver of Green Elementary placed second.

The 2009 Big Tree Winner was Phyllis Sheets of Gallipolis. The butternut tree on her property overlooking the Ohio River has a circumference of 14-feet, 10-inches, measures 68-feet, 6-inches high and has a crown spread of 51 feet. The award was sponsored by the O.O. McIntyre Park District.

Longtime Gallia County agriculture advocate Lawrence Burdell quieted the crowd when he refused to accept an award from the Gallia County Commissioners honoring him for his service to the local farm community. Burdell said he would not accept the award because he does not believe the commissioners are taking an active role in promoting and supporting local agricultural efforts.