The Roberts Conservation District is proud to announce Dean and Deb Gaikowski as a winner of the 2011 Soil Conservation Award.
 - In front Robert Osborne Duane Schneider In back Leon Palmer, Calvin Thompson, Dean Gaikowski, Deb Gaikowski Paul Gaikowski and Cody Hanson
Dean and Deb from Waubay, SD accepted the South Dakota Soil Conservation Award on August 10, 2011. Dean and Deb were one of seven producers nominated by seven Conservation Districts during the spring of 2011
Dean & his family make it a top priority to utilize conservation practices in their farming and beef cattle operations. Dean says he has always loved the land and felt he could leave his footprint by planting trees.
Dean and Deb would like to thank their 5 children for helping with all the tree projects. They have planted trees for wildlife habitat, snow and windbreak shelters for newborn calves, and for the beauty of the trees in their own back yard. Dean also said the planted trees will also benefit our grandchildren and hopes they carry on the tradition to help make a difference.
The Roberts Conservation District would like to say Thank You to the NRCS for their involvement in helping to promote conservation in Roberts County. The Soil Conservation Award Program was created by the South Dakota Legislature in 2008 to recognize exceptional farming and ranching practices that conserve soil and other natural resources in South Dakota.
Each award winner will receive a certificate and recognition sign, which the recipient may install on the property for which their conservation efforts are being recognized.
“Even though agricultural is the number one industry in South Dakota, producers are often overlooked by the general public,” said Walt Bones, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Agriculture. “This award highlights their dedication to natural resource conservation and demonstrates that South Dakota producers are leaders when it comes to sustainable agricultural production.”
Current state residents or groups may nominate any South Dakota farming or ranching operation for the award by submitting a nomination form—(click to download) or pick up a form at any Conservation District office—to the producer’s local Conservation District.
Producers utilizing grassed waterways, terraces, crop rotations, sufficient crop residue to protect soil stability, no-till, grasslands managed for sustainable productivity, livestock management to limit soil and nutrient runoff or forest lands managed according to a forest stewardship plan to conserve soil are eligible for the award.
Nominations must be received by the Conservation District by no later than January 1 of each calendar year.
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