RIO GRANDE - Glenn and Jackie Graham have followed numerous conservation practices over the years, but that wasn't the only reason they, their children and grandchildren have been named 2005's Outstanding Farm Family by the Gallia Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Grahams represent the seventh generation of their family to farm in Green Township, totaling almost 200 years of devotion to agricultural production.

Glenn Graham began farming in 1948 following his graduation from high school and took over the operation from his father, Pearl, in 1963.

In 2004, Glenn split the farm, a beef, dairy and hog operation, between his son David and himself. Along with grandsons Jamie and Joe, they presently have 80 head of beef, 180 acres of hay, 100 acres of corn and raise 10 acres of tobacco.

Over the years, the Grahams have embraced conservation practices that have resulted in the creation of five ponds, four spring developments, conversion ditches, tile and numerous feet of fencing.

SWCD Supervisor Lawrence Burdell presented the award to the Grahams at the annual SWCD banquet Thursday at Buckeye Hills Career Center, where numerous other awards recognizing farm families' allegiance to sound stewardship of the land were presented.

Outstanding Cooperator for this year are A.J. and Angela Owens, a third generation farm family that owns 185 acres and leases 125 acres near Waterloo and 305 acres around Rio Grande.

Their farming activity includes 80 to 100 head of beef cows and feeder calves, hay production of 500 to 600 round bales and seven acres of tobacco production a year.

A.J. Owens, a math teacher at Symmes Valley High School, has been a cooperator with the Gallia SWCD since the late 1970s and has completed several conservation practices, such as spring developments, lime and fertilizer programs and conservation planning.

Owens and his grandson Andrew were presented the award by Supervisor Joe Dailey.

For “helping her family in all aspects of life,” Polly Elliott was named the Outstanding Farm Woman of the year by the SWCD. Married to Clyde Elliott for the past 46 years, Mrs. Elliott and her family have operated a 396-acre Walnut Township farm active in production of hogs, beef, tobacco and hay, and has assisted her son Curt in the operation of his greenhouses.

Longtime friend Pat Saunders, who made the presentation along with Supervisor Merrill Baker, said the best description of Mrs. Elliott's devotion can be found in Proverbs 31, which in part notes that “her son calls her blessed, her husband praiseth her” for her efforts.

The SWCD's Distinguished Service Award was presented to Central Supply Co. of Gallipolis, a 57-year-old business that epitomizes the traditional hardware store farmers still depend on, Burdell said in his introduction.

Accepting the award from Supervisor Noel Massie were Neil and Shirley McMahon, their daughter Dottie and her husband, Jim Chestnut.

Central Supply has been a member of the SWCD's affiliate membership program for more than 17 years.

“Central Supply prides themselves in doing business the old-fashioned way, giving their customers the service they have received and deserved for more than 57 years,” Burdell said.

In other awards, Josh Waugh, son of Mike and Karen Waugh of Crown City and a sophomore in the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, was the recipient of the SWCD's scholarship award.

The scholarship was accepted by Waugh's father.

Brooklyn Hammond of Southwestern Elementary School took first place and Bethany Purdum of Washington Elementary School was second in the annual coloring contest. Two Vinton Elementary School students, Jason Schrock and Jessica Alexander, took first and second place, respectively, in the 2005 poster contest.

Recognized by SWCD education specialist Stella Gibson in the 2005 soil judging contest were the following:

Top individual-Ag - Tyler Handley, Gallia Academy High School, first; Rusty Ferguson, GAHS, second; Ryan Eggleton, River Valley High School, third.

Top individual-Urban - Chaz Russell, GAHS, first; Kelci Dillard, GAHS, second; Kaitlin Angell, GAHS, third.

Top Ag Team - GAHS, team members: Tyler Handley, Rusty Ferguson and Katie Hubble.

Top Urban Team - GAHS, team members: Chaz Russell, Kelci Dillard and Kaitlin Angell.

Frank “Buz” Mills III, the district's technician, recognized the 2005 hay winners, who included:

Overall Hay Award - Lindsay Brown.

Class I, Legumes (alfalfa) - Lindsay Brown, first; Patrick Brown, second; Josh Waugh, third.

Class I, Legumes (clover) - Curt Waugh, first.

Class II, Grass Hay - Chris Moore, first.

Class III, Mixed Hay - Nathan Wood, first; Jonathan Casto, second; Lindsay Brown, third.

Gibson and Mark Danner of the O.O. McIntyre Park District also announced the winner of the annual Big Tree contest, a 72-foot catalpa on Johnson Road in Harrison Township nominated by Sandy Taylor.

The ceremony opened with kudos from the supervisors and SWCD staff for District Manager Lois Snyder, who will be retiring from the district after 17 years on Jan. 1.

“We have her to thank for the success of our office,” said Board of Supervisor Chairman Mike Hughes, whose comments led the way for the presentation of citations from State Sen. John A. Carey, State Rep. Clyde Evans, U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland and David Hanselman of the state Department of Natural Resources.

Evans read the citation from the state legislators while Strickland representative Judy Newman honored Snyder with the congressional recognition.

“It's been a joy working through the past 17 years with you, our customers, and our legislators,” Snyder said. “I'm looking forward to new challenges.”

In balloting for two seats on the board of supervisors, landowners reelected Burdell to another three-year term, while David M. Carter was chosen to succeed Hughes on the board, also for a three-year term.