Four individuals and two county districts were recognized this week by the Department of Agriculture for their conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.

"Wise use of natural resources and protecting and restoring the natural environment is a top priority for all Pennsylvanians," said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. "With people and groups leading conservation efforts and supporting our programs, the commonwealth is building a sustainable future."

Sen. Roger Madigan (R-Bradford) and Walter Peechatka earned the State Conservation Commission's Distinguished Service Award for demonstrating consistent service and leadership in conservation.

Sen. Madigan is a long-time agricultural and conservation leader, first as a dairyman and now as the operator of a crop and tree farm in Bradford County. He has hosted stream bank erosion roundtable discussions, sponsored tours to address environmental issues, and helped establish the dirt and gravel road maintenance program.

He received the 2007 Legislator Recognition Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts.

Peechatka, the senior advisor and former executive vice president of PennAg Industries, has shown his commitment to improving conservation practices in Pennsylvania during his time at PennAg and in his work in many senior leadership roles at the Department of Agriculture.

Peechatka served as bureau director for soil and water conservation for the Department of Environmental Resources and as the State Conservation Commission's executive secretary.

Lycoming County's Gordon Hiller received one of three Conservation Leadership Development Awards for helping to organize the county's conservation district and serving as its chairman. After working as a dairyman, Hiller served as a field representative for the State Conservation Commission, as a program specialist for the state erosion and sedimentation control program, and as a regional director for the Department of Agriculture.

The second leadership award went to Richard VanNoy of York County, a founding director for the Bradford County Conservation District. VanNoy's 30-year conservation career started as secretary of the Pennsylvania State Grange. He later served as a field representative with the State Conservation Commission and as a division chief within the Department of Environmental Protection, where he helped to develop the Conservation District Fund Allocation Program.

The Westmoreland County Conservation District received the third Leadership Development Award for its ability to promote and inspire district leadership excellence. The district's board members engage in strategic planning and are focused on its long-term viability and its ultimate purpose for the community. Members include J. Roy Houston, Ronald Rohall, Conrad Donovan, William Doney, Tom Balya, Albert Barnett, Thomas Kuzumchak, Kim Edward Miller and Fred Slezak.

The District Director Attendance Award recognizes the local efforts of Pennsylvania's 66 conservation districts. Nearly 500 directors volunteer their time to help plan, direct and assist with programs to preserve their county's resources. Franklin, Allegheny and Columbia counties had the highest rate of director attendance.

The departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection oversee the State Conservation Commission, which is an 11-member panel that provides oversight and supports the state's 66 county conservation districts.

8/8/2008