News & Notes August 2006

PACD Awards Given for Commitment to Conservation

Each year the PACD hosts a conservation awards program to celebrate efforts that have furthered the activities and accomplishments of conservation districts on a statewide basis. This year's recipients were recognized at PACD's annual awards luncheon on July 26 in State College, PA. The awards luncheon was held jointly with the State Conservation Commission awards program.

During the PACD portion of the awards ceremony, the following received recognition:

ANN RUDD SAXMAN CONSERVATION DISTRICT DIRECTOR EXCELLENCE AWARD
Malcolm Crooks, Bucks County Conservation District Director
This award is given to a conservation district director or associate director for his or her outstanding volunteer efforts that have furthered the activities and accomplishments of conservation districts on a statewide basis.

PACD President Victor Cappucci presents the Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director Excellence Award to Malcolm Crooks.

CONSERVATION DISTRICT EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE AWARD
Dan Greig, Chester County Conservation District Manager
This award is given to a conservation district employee for his or her outstanding efforts that have furthered the activities and accomplishments of conservation districts on a statewide basis.

PACD President Victor Cappucci presents the Conservation District Employee Excellence Award to Dan Greig.

PACD PRESIDENT'S AWARD (selected by PACD President Victor Cappucci)
PACD Staff - The Harrisburg office includes Kathleen Banski, director of administration/education; Molly Burns, administrative assistant; Susan Marquart, executive director; Kim Mumper, education specialist; Brenda Shambaugh, government relations/policy specialist; Lisa Jo Suhr, office manager; and Shannon Wehinger, communication specialist. PACD also employs six engineering staff in technical centers across the state. They include: Justin Griebel, conservation technician in the Clarion office; Eric Robertson, conservation engineer and Phillip Gardner, conservation technician in the Somerset office; John Coleman, conservation engineering specialist and Owen Hess, conservation technician in the Bloomsburg office; and Frank Harvatine, conservation technician in the Lebanon office. The award is given to an individual, organization, or agency for their outstanding efforts that have resulted in furthering the accomplishments of the non-profit organization, PACD.

PACD President Victor Cappucci with PACD's Harrisburg office and engineering staff.

PACD EMPLOYEE SERVICE RECOGNITION AWARDS
Kathleen Banski, Director of Administration and Education (17 years)
Susan Marquart, Executive Director (10 years)
John Coleman, Conservation Engineering Specialist (5 years)
Owen Hess, Conservation Technician (5 years)
Eric Robertson, Conservation Engineer (5 years)
Phillip Gardner, Conservation Technician (5 years)
Justin Griebel, Conservation Technician (5 years)
Frank Harvatine, Conservation Technician (5 years)
Lisa Suhr, Office Manager (5 years)
The PACD employee service recognition program acknowledges PACD staff who have served the organization for five or more years.

CHESAPEAKE BAY CLEAN WATER FARM AWARDS
The Rohrer Family, "R"-Farm, Lancaster County
Mike and Donna Olsyn, Bradford County
Charles "Boots" Hubler, Clearfield County
The Clean Water Farm Award, initiated in 1986, recognizes farmers within Pennsylvania's portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, who manage their daily farm operation while keeping a watchful eye on water quality. The farms' conservation plans address issues that help control potential pollutants such as eroded soil, pesticides, and fertilizers from entering streams or groundwater supplies, and ultimately the Bay. The award, administered by the Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Education Office, recognizes the important contribution these farmers make to the Chesapeake Bay clean-up effort.

AUXILIARY SCHOLARSHIP
Ryan Clark, Blair County
Ryan attends Penn State's University Park Campus where he majors in animal science under the business management option with a minor in agronomy. Ryan plans to graduate in spring of 2007. His career goal is to own and operate a dairy farm. Each year the PACD Auxiliary offers a $500 scholarship for Pennsylvania college students majoring in an Agriculture or Environmental related field.

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