The Westmoreland County Conservation District will recognize outstanding conservationists at their November 14 awards banquet at the Westmoreland County Club in Export, Pa.

The award winners include:Terry Matty of Smithton and the Costello Family of Mount Pleasant Township, who were respectively named the 2007 and 2008 Farmers of the Year; the City of Greensburg, named 2008’s Municipal Conservation Partner; and Charles Duritsa of Jeannette and Karen Jurkovic of Greensburg, named 2008’s Conservation Volunteers of the year.

The Conservation District also will posthumously honor P. Roy Kemerer, a dairy farmer from Pleasant Unity and a long-time conservation advocate, by inducting him into the Conservation Hall of Honor.

“This event is our way of showcasing the many exciting conservation efforts that are going on in Westmoreland County and thanking the people who are making them happen,” said Greg Phillips, District manager/CEO of the Westmoreland Conservation District, whose organization works daily with farmers, developers, engineers, foresters, and other professions to help ensure that our natural resources are used wisely.

“During the evening, we will be paying tribute to the amazing variety of fresh, wholesome food – from lamb to garlic -- that’s being produced here in Westmoreland County…the creative ways communities are managing stormwater to help the environment and save taxpayers’ money…the efforts of local citizens to protect open space…and the farmers who are using innovative and sustainable methods such as rotational grazing,” Phillips said.

Local agricultural producers whose products will be used to create the banquet menu include: Bardine’s Country Smokehouse, Crabtree; Bellview Foods, Penn; Friendship Farms, Lycippus; Greenawalt Farms, West Newton; Hearts Content Farm, New Alexandria; Jamison Farm, Latrobe; Kerber’s Dairy, North Huntingdon; Morris Farm, Irwin; Sand Hill Berries, Mount Pleasant; Schramm Farms & Orchards, Jeannette; Stone Villa Wine Cellars, Acme; Turner Dairy Farms, Inc., Penn Hills*; and Wendel Springs Farm, Herminie.

Jack Bogut, longtime morning radio personality, will provide the evening’s featured entertainment. He will use his unique brand of humor and insight to reveal his personal formula for success – the FIDO principle.

Sponsors for the banquet include: Tri-County Engineering (Partner-level sponsor) and the following table sponsors: Bove Engineering Co.; Bruce Construction, LLC; Excela Health; KAG Engineering, Inc.; Lemmon, Smith, Souleret Engineering, Inc.; Ligonier Construction; Lone Maple Agricultural Services/Pritts Feed Mill/Hildenbrand Lime & Fertilizer; Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture; R. A. Smith National, Inc.; Smart Growth Partnership; and Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Board.

The Westmoreland Conservation District Annual Awards banquet begins at6 p.m., and everyone is welcome to attend. However, please note that seating is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance. Price per person is $30.

For more information,download the event brochure or contact the Westmoreland Conservation District at724-837-5271.

10/24/2008