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Energy Star Pledge Campaign Kick-off and Arbor Day Tree Giveaway
OC History Center - March 30, 2007
Arbor Day Tree Seedling Giveaway!
In celebration of KY Arbor Day the Oldham County Conservation District gave away almost 5000 trees on Friday, March 30th.
Oldham County teachers interested in receiving seedlings for their students to take home for planting and anyone with questions on the program may contact Shauna Buchert at 222-5123 or by email at occd@insightbb.com.
The district would like to thank Nancy Theiss, Executive Director of the OC History Center, for allowing us use of her facilities. A huge thank you also goes to Mr. Boyd Johnson and his students at OC High School for their help in bagging the trees.
Our next tree seedling giveaway will take place on Friday, March 20, 2009 on the Oldham County History Center front porch from 11-12:30. Mark your calendar now and plan to stop by!
The following species will be available:
Pin Oak, Wild Plum, KY Coffee Tree, Northern Red Oak, White Oak, Black Walnut, Sycamore, Flowering Dogwood and White Pine.
Come early for the best selection.
Energy Star - Change a Light, Save The World Pledge Campaign
The Oldham County Conservation District is volunteering to help preserve our country's energy resources and help reduce the risks of global climate change by encouraging Oldham County residents to change at least one light at home to one that has earned the government's ENERGY STAR for energy efficiency.
The Oldham County Conservation District is doing this as part of the National ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World Campaign, a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy and organizations across the country to encourage individuals to actively help save energy at home, starting by switching to energy-efficient lighting.
Because lighting accounts for nearly 20 percent of the average home's electric bill, changing to more efficient options not only makes a dent in the amount of fossil fuels our local power plant must burn to generate electricity, but also helps reduce our electric bills at home. Over the life of a single compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), you can save an average of $30 or more in electricity costs while preventing more than 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. And, every CFL uses at least 2/3 less energy than a standard incandescent and lasts as much as 10 times longer.
Please join us now in taking the pledge. It's a simple commitment that will go a long way to assure that the energy resources we rely on and the environment we live in are preserved for generations to come. Go to
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/General_lighting_handout_0606.pdf
for more information on the program and help demonstrate that Oldham County residents are taking a significant part in this vital national movement.
We have a free energy saving CFL light bulb for Oldham County residents interested in making the switch. Call or email our office for further information.
2007 Annual Awards Banquet Banquet Slide Show
C. Richard Smith, Recipient of the 25th Oldham County Master Conservationist Award
C. Richard Smith of Old Zaring Road was selected as the 2007 Master Conservationist for Oldham County. Mr. Smith owns and operates 2448 acres, most of which lie in the Darby Creek and South Fork of Darby Creek Watersheds. The Master Conservationist Award is the most prestigious conservation  award that is presented to active farmers for their efforts in the area of natural resource management and protection of the nation’s slowly renewable natural resources. Nationwide, less than two percent of the nation’s farmers ever achieve this accomplishment. Caring for the land is not new to Mr. Smith. Since has association with the Oldham County Soil and Water Conservation District in the mid 1980, he has worked to transform his farms from predominate row crop and grain farms to a combination of uses to support beef cattle and grain. His use of no-tillage, forage improvements, livestock water distribution systems, cropland conversion and fencing to exclude livestock from sensitive areas have all worked to help protect and filter runoff going to Darby Creek. It is difficult today to find the scars of past erosion that was left on several of the tracts by previous owners. When it rains, the waters of Darby Creek run cleaner because of his conservation efforts on the land. The Oldham County SWCD was proud to recognize Richard Smith as the 2007 Master Conservationist.
Robert Horner Receives the Outstanding Cooperator Award
Robert Horner of Glenarm Road was selected by the Oldham County Soil and Water Conservation District as their Outstanding Cooperator for 2007. Mr. Horner’s farming operation includes more than 1250 acres in the South Fork of Harrods Creek and South Fork of Darby Creek watersheds. Most of  his acreage is dedicated to pasture and hay uses for beef cattle, while a small percentage of land is in row crop uses. Along the streams, the wooded areas and slopes are under a timber harvest plan prepared in cooperation with the Kentucky Division of Forestry. More than 500 acres of his farmland in the Harrods Creek Watershed is permanently protected under a conservation easement held by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Over the years, Mr. Horner has worked diligently to see that his land is covered annually by conservation practices that work to improve the land and protect its natural resource base. When the farms were cropped heavier, his use of no-tillage, strip cropping and crop rotations helped to prevent serious soil erosion. Now that the farms are predominantly grasslands, he is converting some areas to summer forage of native grass pastures and managing the cool season grasses to sustain his beef cattle heard during the spring and late fall months. His care and dedication to clean water and soil conservation made him an easy selection for the 2007 Outstanding Cooperator of the Year.
Oldham County Students, Teachers and Principals Recognized at Awards Banquet
The Oldham County Conservation District held their 26th Annual Awards Banquet on February 26at the John Black Community Center. This year, 1033 Oldham County students participated in the Courier-Journal Conservation Writing Contest and the Jim Claypool Art Contest. Participating schools submitted their top three student entries and from these first, second and third place school winners were chosen. Each school winner received a plaque and a t-shirt. County winners in each category were chosen from all first place school entries. The writing entry of Kennedy Thomas from E. Oldham Middle School and the art entry of Katie Bosko from Liberty Elementary School were selected for this special honor. Kennedy and Katie each received a plaque and a $50 US Savings Bond. E. Oldham Middle School principal Lynda Redmon took home a check for $400 to be used for the continuation of environmental education efforts at the school.
Members of the Oldham County High School Land Judging; Agronomy, Floriculture and Environmental and Natural Resources Teams received awards. Each student was awarded with a certificate, and a $50 US Savings Bond. Their teacher, Mr. Boyd Johnson, was recognized for his 30 years of service to the students and citizens of Oldham County.
Helaine Freyer, who teaches at Harmony Elementary School, was the recipient of check for $100 to purchase resources for her classroom. Helaine was one of twenty teachers present who incorporate environmental education into their classroom curriculum.
The Oldham County Conservation District would like to thank all the students, teachers and principals who took part in this year’s art and writing contests and congratulate all of the evening’s winners.
The Conservation District sponsors the following events:
- Conservation Writing & Jim Claypool Art Contest
- Arbor Day Tree Seedling Giveaway
- Earth Day Celebration
- High School Envirothon Teams
- Soil Stewardship Week
- Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet
- Soil and Water Scholarship Opportunities
- Education Field Days and Workshop
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