Earth Team

2007 Earth Team Awards

Submitted by Peg Reese

Justin Brackenrich, son of Doris and Jerry Brackenrich, received the Youth Volunteer Award at the annual Partnership Conference. Justin, 16, has been an Earth Team Volunteer in the Franklin Field Office since February 13, 2006. He assisted with the collection of data needed for the development of conservation plans, copied and compiled forms needed for Farm Bill contracts, and assisted with field work. This is very important as the Franklin Office has a very high workload and is currently understaffed. Justin also spent several days with NRCS Soil Scientist, Jared Beard on various projects, including basic soils training for a class from the University of Maryland.

The individual Earth Team Volunteer of the year is Sherry Finkel from the Morgantown Service Center. Sherry donated 155 hours to help NRCS, WVCA, and the Monongahela Conservation District conservation efforts. She gave conservation education programs, entered data in the Farmland Protection data base, collected soil samples, performed Nitrogen Quick tests, created a display, and performed clerical support duties. Sherry’s award was presented to her earlier as she was not able to be here today. She has been nominated for a national award. You can read more about her summer working for NRCS in the fall issue of Volunteer Voice (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/voice/volunteervoicefall2007.pdf)

The Monongahela Conservation District won the District/NRCS Earth Team award. This award recognizes the effective partnership of a conservation district, NRCS and volunteers. Eleven volunteers donated 324 hours to further conservation efforts in the Monongahela Conservation District. They gave conservation education programs, assisted with a no-till field day, created displays, helped survey for the Decker’s Creek project, collected soil samples, and performed clerical support duties. This nomination was forwarded for national competition.

Molly Brackenrich, daughter of Doris and Jerry Brackenrich, was recognized for her volunteer service at an East Area Staff meeting in October. Like her brother, Molly does clerical support work in the Franklin Field Office. Doris said “This office holds more than 200 active contracts and Molly’s assistance with these tasks allows me to work on the more complex steps in conservation planning.”

Congratulations, volunteers! And thank you for your service to conservation.

Captions:

	Kevin Wickey presents the Junior Earth Team Award to Justin Brackenrich
	Monongahela Conservation District Supervisors with the District/NRCS award (Left to Right: Howard Shriver, Art Mouser, Jim McDonald, Don Headley, Bob Strawser).
	Don Headley, Chairman of the Monongahela Conservation District, accepted the District/NRCS award on behalf of the MCD.
	Christi Hicks, East Area Volunteer Coordinator, and Molly Brackenrich, Earth Team Volunteer

< Back to November News and Views