RIO GRANDE - Sixty-three years ago last month, a delegation of Gallia County agricultural producers petitioned the state at a hearing in Columbus to establish a soil and water conservation district to save land in Gallia.

Their efforts led to the creation of a SWCD that spurred a resurgence of the both the land and farming in Gallia, which SWCD members celebrated Thursday at the 63rd annual awards banquet.

SWCD Supervisor Lawrence Burdell, whose father Francis was among that delegation, said that a similar trip to the state capitol this week by a group of local officials organized by the county Community Improvement Corporation may also have the same effect on the county's economy.

“This was an ordinary group that made a difference in the lives of everyone in Gallia County,” Burdell said of the Oct. 6, 1944 trip. “I think maybe we are again at a point where we need to revitalize, to get things going again. Perhaps this (week's) trip will also serve as a catalyst to progress.

“I believe any economic growth we have in Gallia County starts when the sunlight strikes a green leaf,” he said.

The original delegation, in addition to Francis Burdell, consisted of Ralph Davis, H.E. Shaffer, Glen Powell, Tanner Wood, Finley Richards, O.F. Shires, Dave Williams, Raymond Rife, Craig Slagel and then-Agricultural Agent Everett G. Royer.

Their purpose was specially recognized at the banquet, along the contributions and achievements of local producers and students in the past year.

Among numerous local and regional officials in attendance, State Conservationist Terry Cosby was on hand to discuss federal initiatives in conservation, predicting that more money to preserve the land will be found in the new Farm Bill working its way through Congress.

“Hopefully, we will have a very good Farm Bill that will benefit everyone,” Cosby said.

A new award was introduced this year for the beginning farmer, which went to Gary and Karen Truance of Vinton and their children, Koren, Gary and Emma.

The Truances were recognized not only for embracing conservation practices but for starting a farm when such a venture is now considered risky at best.

Gary Truance purchased the 93 acres that holds his farm in the early 1990s when he was 19. The farm was born in 2003 with its first 20 head of cattle.

“The district decided to honor those individuals who decided to take on the challenge of starting a farm,” Supervisor David Carter said in presenting the award to the Truances.

The 2007 Outstanding Cooperator Award went to Terri Hamilton Bowie of the Hamilton Orchard Farm of Gallipolis. An employee of American Electric Power for 29 years, Bowie operates the orchard that was begun by her grandparents, Charles and Fay Hamilton. Her father Dan purchased the orchard in 1964 and ran it until 1975, when he started converting some of it to grazing land.

The farm now consists of 70 acres of grazing land, 10 acres of hay and the remainder woodland. Her daughter Brooke, 15, a student at Gallia Academy High School, is the fourth generation of her family involved in agricultural production, now raising two steers and a market heifer for the 2008 Gallia County Junior Fair.

The Gallia Conservation Club was recipient of the SWCD's Distinguished Service Award for 2007 because of its longstanding support of conservation and related activities. Its current slate of officers include Bob Donnet, president; J.D. Taylor, vice president; Donna Crisenbery, secretary; and Malena Phillips, treasurer.

Ann Baker was recognized as the Outstanding Farm Woman for her commitment to agriculture and conservation practices on the Walnut Township farm she and her husband Clay have operated since 1960.

She was introduced by Beth Roberts and among the family members joining her in accepting the award was her son, Merrill, who was reelected to a three-year term on the board of supervisors in balloting prior to the banquet.

The Conservation Education Award was presented to Hannan Trace Elementary School for its continuing interest in conservation and natural resources. The award was accepted by Principal Rochelle Finley and teachers Tracy Burnette, Dian Callahan and Alicia Stutes.

In other awards presented during the banquet, Beth Payne, daughter of John and Denise Payne of Vinton, was this year's SWCD Scholarship recipient. She is a sophomore at Ohio State University and is majoring in animal sciences. Her parents were on hand to accept the award.

The photo contest winners are Vic and Mary Niday of Lincoln Pike, whose photo of Gallipolis Island and the small island beside it impressed judges for its depiction of the effects of erosion.

The 2007 soil judging winners in individual agriculture were David Holliday, first place; Chris Diamond, second; and Eric Caldwell, third. All are from River Valley High School.

Individual urban team members recognized were Nick Guinther, Gallia Academy High School, first; Jerod Shaffer, GAHS, second; and Patrick Mulholand, RVHS, third. The top ag team was RVHS and the leading urban team for 2007 is GAHS.

At the district contest, the River Valley ag team finished fifth, qualifying its members for the state contest, where they placed fourth. Ryan Eggleton also placed sixth in the individual ag contest in the state competition.

Kindergarten coloring contest winners, judged from a field of 252 entries, were Justin Butler of Washington Elementary, first place, and Ethan Bias of Addaville Elementary, second.

Hay award winners are:

Hay Class I/Legume - Evan Wood, first place; Jasmine Waugh, second; Patrick Brown, third.

Hay Class II/Grass - Jimmy Montgomery, first place; Cody Call, second.

Hay Class III/Mixed - Lindsay Brown, first place; Kristen Halley, second; Dwight Saxon, third.

Evan Wood was the overall hay winner.