Special to the Pioneer Times
LITTLETON, Maine – The Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District (SASWCD) held its annual awards banquet last Thursday night at the Meduxnekeag Ramblers Snowsled Club. LaMarr Clannon, the Maine NEMO (Non-point Education for Municipal Officials) coordinator, was the guest speaker at the event. Clannon gave a presentation called “Weathering the Storm: How the plan for growth while protecting our children’s water,” which provided information about smart growth planning, particularly focusing on storm water management, low impact development and non-point water pollution.
Following Clannon’s presentation, SASWCD board members presented the 2007 awards.
Donald Fitzpatrick of Houlton was awarded the title of Lifetime Conservation Farmer; 2007 was the first year such an award has been granted. Perry Lilley, SASWCD board chairman, presented the award and cited Fitzpatrick’s work in soil health, composting, crop rotation and early work in energy and fuel conservation, among his many accomplishments as cause behind Fitzpatrick’s recognition.
“Don’s been ahead of us for years,” Lilley said.
SASWCD presented Fitzpatrick with a plaque and a personalized SASWCD sign.
“My lifetime isn’t over yet,” Fitzpatrick remarked, “That’s very nice, thank you.”
Fitzpatrick’s wife, Dorothy, stood proudly by her husband.
“I was glad to see Donald’s years of studying better methods and years of hard work were acknowledged,” Mrs. Fitzpatrick later added, “Donald is very humble and has a remarkable lack of ego.”
District Conservationist Tim Yarab presented the award for Conservation Farmer of the Year to Steven Whited of Whited Farms in Bridgewater for his work in tree planting and wildlife conservation.
Lilley then presented Kevin and Kristi Brannen of Spring Break Maple and Honey in Smyrna with the Diversified Farmers Award for their work in logging, maple syrup and bee keeping.
Finally, grant partner Don Collins and associate supervisor Andrea Newman presented the award for Conservation Partner of 2007 to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.
“This is much more than a partnership award, it’s really more of a leadership award,” Collins said.
Sharri Venno accepted the award on behalf of the Band; Brenda Commander, the tribe chief, was unable to attend the banquet due to other obligations.
The Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District aims to protect, conserve and improve the area’s natural resources for future generations by using all of the human, technical and financial means available. More information is available on the Web site: www.saswcd.org.
