District honors efforts

Farmers are typically honored for their various efforts at the Indiana State Fair each year. With the event canceled because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, that did not happen in 2020.

On Wednesday, a local organization made sure Jay County’s honorees received their recognition.

Jay County Soil and Water Conservation District held its annual meeting Wednesday, honoring a pair of local farmers for their contributions to conservation best practices.

Betty Drinkut was honored as a River Family Farmer and Carl Kaiser was named Jay County Conservationist of the Year.

Bettie Jacobs, district coordinator, presented Drinkut with a “River Friendly Farmer of Indiana” sign for her farm, a certificate and other items that she would normally receive at the state fair. Drinkut, rural Pennville, is a Century Homestead owner who raises bees and provides a habitat for other pollinators through conservation programs.

“She loves her land,” said Jacobs. “And in her words, ‘I have grown up being taught the importance of sustainable thinking.’”

Drinkut, a retired Marion High School science teacher, took over operation of her family farm after the death of her father in 1982. Over the years, she has tried to follow in his footsteps as he had been considering putting some of his land into a Conservation Reserve Program. That area has now transformed from a tillable field with a waterway to become a wetland.

“I simply tried to do what dad was doing — keep the water where it was supposed to be, keep the topsoil where it was supposed to be, provide a habitat for the wildlife and make use of things,” said Drinkut.

“Not plant a tree and know it’s going to be there forever; plant a tree and know that in 40 or 50 years you’ve got to cut it down but you’ve planted plenty more to replace the one you’re cutting down.”

Among her goals were to improve the land, keep topsoil in place, give wildlife a place to live safely and provide a habitat for pollinators.

She said she hopes to pass on her knowledge about conservation to her children and grandchildren.

“I’m hoping I’m teaching them so that a 100-year farm can become a 150-year farm,” said Drinkut, whose land is at the northwest corner of county roads 750 West and 550 North.

Jordan Wall, a district supervisor, spoke about Kaiser, who was unable to attend the meeting Wednesday.

Kaiser was honored for the acres of woodland he has in conservation, providing a habitat for upland birds and bob white quail. He also has many other acres in conservation allowing native species to thrive.

“Kaiser is a true example of what conservation is,” said Wall.

Also Wednesday, watershed coordinator Tim Kroeker gave an update on the various work he has done in the county since 2014. His efforts have included a pair of grants through the Federal Clean Water Act Section 319 and four Clean Water Indiana grants totaling nearly $900,000. He explained that each grant requires a local contribution in the form of dollars and/or volunteer hours and that Jay County’s total in that area is $863,000.

“I think it speaks highly to water the Jay County Soil and Water Conservation District has been able to accomplish in six years,” Kroeker said.

In other business:

•District supervisors Randy Fennig, who is appointed by the state, and Rick Imel, who was elected by the members, were sworn in by Jay County Commissioner Rex Journay.

•Imel, who serves as treasurer, reported 2020 income of $180,260.01 and expenses of $157,113.96 with a year-end cash balance of $23,146.15.