News
2013 Council 2 Envirothon
The Envirothon is a hands-on and interactive learning experience for high school students. Students gain knowledge of the environment and natural resources. Teams compete in five areas: aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and a fifth category on an environmental issue. Teams test their knowledge of the environment and compete against other high school teams from Bureau, Marshall-Putnam, Mercer, Rock Island, and Stark counties. Thirty one teams from six counties competed at the Envirothon, this year!
Twelve teams from Henry County competed at the Envirothon on March 13th, 2013 at the Black Hawk East Campus in Galva, IL. The top team from Henry County for 2013 was Galva High School Team #1. Team members included: Mason Cavanagh, Victoria Gyunn, Colton Sanders, Emma Corkill, & Danielle Strand. The Galva High School FFA advisor is Trish Main.
Congratulations to Galva High School!
2012 Illinois State Soils Contest
On October 9th, 2012 twenty-three schools came together in Henry County to test their knowledge of soils at the Illinois State Soils Contest. The contest was based out of the east campus of Blackhawk College and the soil pits were located just above the northeast corner of Johnson Sauk Trail State Park. It was a great experience for all involved to learn and compete.
Team rankings and individual rankings are listed below:
Top 10 School Teams:
1. Liberty
2. Canton
3. Elpaso-Gridly
4. Midland
5. Sherrard
6. Farmington
7. Roanoke-Benson
8. Scales Mound
9. Goreville
10. West Carroll
Top 10 Individual Teams:
1. Logan Simon (Liberty)
2. Max Havens (Canton)
3. Miranda Schlipf (Elpaso-Gridly)
4. Kaleb Bridgewater (Liberty)
5. Connor Klingele (Liberty3)
6. Whitney Murphy (Canton)
7. Gracia Rump (Farmington)
8. Codee Schlipf (Elpaso-Gridly)
9. Rachel Sloan (Midland)
10. Jacob Sorrill (Liberty3)
2012 FFA Section 3 Soil Judging Contest
FFA Section 3 held their Soil Judging Contest once again this year to help better educate our youth. It was a beautiful day with 163 students from 11 different schools to participate in a fun and interactive education experience. Thanks again to everyone that helped to make the day a success. A special thanks to Kewanee High School who again hosted this year.
Below is pictured the Sherrard winning team. From left to right are Travis Koehler, Isabelle Ausdal, Isaac Goldner, Angelica Morgan and Chase Ruplinger.
The school and individual rankings are listed below:
School teams:
- Sherrard
- Orion
- Geneseo
- Alwood
- Galva
- Bureau Valley
- Kewanee
- Cambridge
- Stark County
- Princeton
- Wethersfield
Top 10 Individuals:
- Isaac Goldner – Sherrard
- Mary Fielding – Orion
- Trevon Kennedy – Bureau Valley
- Drew Johnson – AlWood
- Cody Kessinger - AlWood
- Pedro Avila – Sherrard
- Chase Ruplinger - Sherrard
- Trace Tuthill – Stark County
- Devon Peterson – Galva
- Tyler Verbeck – Geneseo
Henry County SWCD Sponosored 22nd Annual Poster Contest
Every year, the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors a poster contest for kindergarten through twelfth grade students. 2012 celebrated the 22nd year the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District has proudly sponsored this annual event. Students are encouraged to express their thoughts about soil, water, and other natural resources topics through art. The poster contest theme coincides with the annual Soil and Water Stewardship theme. 'Soil to Spoon' was the theme for 2012. With this exciting and adventurous theme, students had the opportunity to better understand the process food takes from the soil they walk on each day to the plate they eat from each day.
Winners of the kindergarten through sixth grade levels receive a bicycle. Contest winners of the seventh through twelfth grade levels receive a $50 Visa Gift Card. Prizes are donate by the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District. Poster contest winners advance to compete at the state level.
2012 Henry County SWCD Poster Contest grade level winners are:
Kindergarten - first grade: Kyra Nichols, Alwood Elementary
Second - third grade: Skya Barton, Alwood Elementary
Fourth - sixth grade: Brynn Johnson, Millikin Elementary
Seventh - ninth grade: Marcie Shannon, Alwood Middle
Tenth - twelfth grade: Devon Peterson, Galva High
Congratulations to the 2012 Henry County Poster Contest Winners! There were many creative and imaginative posters designed by the students. Thank you to all of the students that participated!
Gardner wins Henry County SWCD door prize
Each year during the Henry County Fair, the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District conducts a drawing for a door prize. This year, those attending the fair could sign up to win a rain barrel that was on display at the Henry County SWCD fair booth.
A rain barrel is a system of collecting and storing water from roofs of homes, sheds, and barns. They play a vital role in water conservation. Rain barrels prevent water from attaching to soil or pollutants and being carried away and washed into storm drains. Reducing stormwater runoff reduces the amount of pesticides and fertilizer that impacts our water supply. For more information regarding rain barrels, call the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Congratulations to Neil Gardner! He won the drawing for the rain barrel from the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Neil Gardner & his daughter with their rain barrel
Snodgrass Recieves 20 Year Director Service Award
Jerry Snodgrass of rural Geneseo recieved a 20 Year Director Service Award at the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Meeting Springfield, July 26 through 28. Snodgrass is currently serving as Chairman of the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Area 1 Vice President on the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts Board of Directors.
Congratulations to Jerry Snodgrass!
Conservation Compliance and Highly Erodible Land
In regards to Conservation Compliance and Highly Erodible Land requirements, please read the following news release... Change$ to Good Faith Provi$ion for HEL violation$.