Burke Soil Conservation District


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Karen Smith of rural Kenmare, this year’s Burke Soil Conservation Achievement winner, was honored at the 70th annual convention of the NDASCD, held November 9, 10, and 11, 2008, at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck.

Smith was presented with a 16 x 20 aerial photograph of her ranch.  A photo of the ranch was on display at the annual convention.

A second photograph of the Smith ranch has been placed in the traveling Achievement
Award Program exhibit.  This exhibit will be displayed at the North Dakota State Fair, several agricultural shows, and many shopping centers throughout the next year.  The photograph will then be placed in the Burke Soil Conservation District office’s “Hall of Fame”.

The North Dakota Soil Conservation Achievement Awards program is a statewide program where by each of the 56 SCDs recognize farmers and ranchers who have made an outstanding effort to conserve their valuable soil resource.

Karen was selected as the 2008 Burke County Achievement Winner because of her influence and management of native rangeland in the northern mixed grass prairie.  Karen served as the manager of the Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge from 1977 to 2002.  Karen implemented rotational grazing and prescribed burning which changed the refuge from invasive plants to native grasses and wildflowers.  Karen also manages 600 acres of her own grazing land.  She has seeded approximately 160 acres of cropland and old hayland to native grasses and wildflowers, and rotates cattle and horses through 20 separate grazing cells.

 

The Burke Soil Conservation District commends Karen for her contribution to conservation in Burke County.

                                                                       
The North Dakota Soil Conservation Achievement Awards program is sponsored by the ND Newspaper Association, ND State Soil Conservation Committee, NDSU Extension Service, NRCS, FSA, the NDASCD and each soil conservation district.

The ND Soil Conservation Achievement Awards Program is the only program of its kind in the nation and has continued since 1948.