2025 Fayette Soil & Water Conservation Award Winners Announced

Each year, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts sponsor the Texas Conservation Awards Program to recognize and honor those who dedicate themselves and their talents to the conservation and wise use of renewable natural resources.

Conservation Districts are local units of government responsible for conservation work within their boundaries. The district’s role is to increase voluntary conservation among land users. The district and the Natural Resource Conservation Service work together in order to reach the district’s goal of conservation applications.

The NRCS is vital to the success of all the Fayette SWCD’s conservation objectives. The conservation awards program provides competition and incentives to expand and improve conservation efforts, resource development, and increase the wise utilization of renewable natural resources.

The directors of the Fayette County Soil and Water Conservation District are: Lee Fritsch (Chairman), C.R. “Bob” Devine (Vice Chairman), Carol Friedrich (Secretary/ Treasurer), Rick Schilling, and Howard Frick. District clerk is Carissa Karisch. NRCS employees are Robert Bankston and Dustin Sanders.

The Fayette County Soil and Water Conservation District No. 341 held its annual Conservation Awards Banquet on Feb. 13. Winners for this year include the following: Poster Contest Winners (Division 1 – Grade K-2): Aurora Galvez - Sacred Heart School and Jack Wied - Sacred Heart School.

Poster Contest Winners (Division 2 – Grade 3-6): Kirtley Kallus - Sacred Heart School and Tripp Brown - St. Rose of Lima.

Essay Contest Winners (13 and Under Division): Rilan Karisch - Homeschool and Danica Steakley - Round Top-Carmine.

Essay Contest Winners (14-18 Division): Eleanor Carey - La Grange High School and Ella Janacek - La Grange High School.

Conservation Rancher: Anthony and Sharon Haas.

The Fayette SWCD would like to recognize the sponsors of the 2025 banquet: Capital Farm Credit, Carmine State Bank, Colorado Valley Communications, Fayette Electric Cooperative, Fayette Savings Bank, Fayetteville Bank, Flatonia National Bank, National Bank & Trust, Prosperity Bank, and Round Top State Bank.