2007 Cooperator of the Year: Russell Farms
Russell Farm Honored by Conservation District
By Lori Newman, Basin Republican Rustler
The South Big Horn Conservation District recently selected Russell Farms as the recipient for its annual 2007 Cooperator of the Year Award. The supervisors of the local Conservation District Board made the selection.
Russell Farms is a farming and feedlot operation about five miles west of Basin, and is owned and operated by Don and Cheri Russell and their sons, Richard and Bill.
According to Linda Hamilton of Hyattville, chairman of the SBHCD board of supervisors, Russell Farms was selected because of the Russell family's interest in "best management projects" and cooperation in creating partnerships between the conservation district, the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service and Big Horn County.
As county commissioner, Don Russell, was very instrumental in getting Big Horn County to commit monies to help with the cost of having a county-wide soil survey completed," Hamilton said. "Because of Don's dedication and leadership, the Shoshone Conservation District, the South Big Horn Conservation District and the county commissioners have been able to partner with NRCS to produce comprehensive soil data for the area.
"This survey will be very beneficial to landowners and other governmental agencies as best management projects are implemented on the land. Detailed soil survey work will provide excellent information for subdivision planning as well. The soil survey work will continue in the area for the next several years."
Hamilton also praised the Russells for their awareness, and willingness to do something about environmental concerns.
"Russell farms applied to the District for cost-share monies to assist in relocating their feedlot operation," Hamilton said.
The Russells used their own personal funds and funding they applied for through the District, which were funneled through the state department of Environmental Quality from the environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water Act, Section 319. They also sought "EQIP" funding from the NRCS's Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) in order to help them with the expensive project of relocating a feedlot that was out of EPA compliance because E.coli issues, Hamilton explained.
"This last fall the Russells willingly allowed the District to host a part of its feedlot tour at their newly constructed feedlot," she said. "The tour was attended by local residents and three local legislators as well as NRCS personnel."
In addition, Hamilton noted, "Richard Russell also recently participated in the 219 cost-share program to rehabilitate non-compliant septic systems. As a result, Richard's system and 18 other septics in the District were rehabilitated and brought into compliance. This program was also directed towards E.coli issues that are present in the South Big Horn Conservation District area."
The South Big Horn Conservation District's board of supervisors includes, Hamilton, Walt Hibbert of Otto, Geroge Kelso of Emblem, Ted Zier of Basin and Nancy Joyce of Manderson.
By Lori Newman, Basin Republican Rustler
The South Big Horn Conservation District recently selected Russell Farms as the recipient for its annual 2007 Cooperator of the Year Award. The supervisors of the local Conservation District Board made the selection.
Russell Farms is a farming and feedlot operation about five miles west of Basin, and is owned and operated by Don and Cheri Russell and their sons, Richard and Bill.
According to Linda Hamilton of Hyattville, chairman of the SBHCD board of supervisors, Russell Farms was selected because of the Russell family's interest in "best management projects" and cooperation in creating partnerships between the conservation district, the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service and Big Horn County.
As county commissioner, Don Russell, was very instrumental in getting Big Horn County to commit monies to help with the cost of having a county-wide soil survey completed," Hamilton said. "Because of Don's dedication and leadership, the Shoshone Conservation District, the South Big Horn Conservation District and the county commissioners have been able to partner with NRCS to produce comprehensive soil data for the area.
"This survey will be very beneficial to landowners and other governmental agencies as best management projects are implemented on the land. Detailed soil survey work will provide excellent information for subdivision planning as well. The soil survey work will continue in the area for the next several years."
Hamilton also praised the Russells for their awareness, and willingness to do something about environmental concerns.
"Russell farms applied to the District for cost-share monies to assist in relocating their feedlot operation," Hamilton said.
The Russells used their own personal funds and funding they applied for through the District, which were funneled through the state department of Environmental Quality from the environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water Act, Section 319. They also sought "EQIP" funding from the NRCS's Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) in order to help them with the expensive project of relocating a feedlot that was out of EPA compliance because E.coli issues, Hamilton explained.
"This last fall the Russells willingly allowed the District to host a part of its feedlot tour at their newly constructed feedlot," she said. "The tour was attended by local residents and three local legislators as well as NRCS personnel."
In addition, Hamilton noted, "Richard Russell also recently participated in the 219 cost-share program to rehabilitate non-compliant septic systems. As a result, Richard's system and 18 other septics in the District were rehabilitated and brought into compliance. This program was also directed towards E.coli issues that are present in the South Big Horn Conservation District area."
The South Big Horn Conservation District's board of supervisors includes, Hamilton, Walt Hibbert of Otto, Geroge Kelso of Emblem, Ted Zier of Basin and Nancy Joyce of Manderson.