📞 Call: (785) 266-9053 ext. 3 Visit: 3231 SW VanBuren Street Ste: 2 Topeka, Kansas 66611 📧 Email: [email protected]
Grassland Conservation Award
Description
Each year, the Conservation District reviews the efforts of landowners who are actively working to improve, protect, or sustainably manage grasslands within the district. This award is intended to recognize exceptional stewardship that enhances grassland health, productivity, and long-term viability while supporting agricultural use.
When a farming or ranching operation demonstrates outstanding commitment to grassland conservation—whether through improved grazing management, restoration efforts, invasive species control, soil and water protection, or other sustainable practices—the District believes it is important to acknowledge those achievements. By highlighting exemplary operations, the District hopes to encourage and inspire other landowners to adopt similar conservation practices across the landscape.
Award Selection
The Shawnee County Conservation District is accepting nominations from the public for potential award recipients located within Shawnee County.
Nominations may be submitted by neighbors, conservation partners, agricultural professionals, or community members who are familiar with the landowner’s conservation efforts.
This award recognizes landowners whose commitment to grassland management serves as a model of responsible stewardship and contributes to the long-term sustainability of natural resources in Shawnee County.
Description
Each year, the Conservation District reviews the efforts of landowners who are actively working to improve, protect, or sustainably manage grasslands within the district. This award is intended to recognize exceptional stewardship that enhances grassland health, productivity, and long-term viability while supporting agricultural use.
When a farming or ranching operation demonstrates outstanding commitment to grassland conservation—whether through improved grazing management, restoration efforts, invasive species control, soil and water protection, or other sustainable practices—the District believes it is important to acknowledge those achievements. By highlighting exemplary operations, the District hopes to encourage and inspire other landowners to adopt similar conservation practices across the landscape.
Award Selection
- Only one operation is recognized each year, ensuring the award highlights truly exceptional efforts in grassland conservation and stewardship.
The Shawnee County Conservation District is accepting nominations from the public for potential award recipients located within Shawnee County.
Nominations may be submitted by neighbors, conservation partners, agricultural professionals, or community members who are familiar with the landowner’s conservation efforts.
This award recognizes landowners whose commitment to grassland management serves as a model of responsible stewardship and contributes to the long-term sustainability of natural resources in Shawnee County.
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2025 Grassland Award Winner
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Harland Clark A year ago, Rich Runnebaum reached out to the Shawnee County Conservation District to nominate Harland Clark for his conservation work on a native prairie pasture that his parents once owned, and he had owned and managed. Since then, that native pasture was sold, but stayed within the family. This allowed Harland to concentrate on conservation practices at the homestead his parents had. Molly Miller, District Technician, had the pleasure of going out with Rich to Harland’s to see the conservation efforts that Harland had put into place at the homestead. All of them got a history lesson along with seeing and learning about the conservation practices Harland has since implemented. Harland has done a lot to conserve the natural flow of water on the property as well as clean the property up. He has done some erosion control on a pond dam by planting cover crops that were visible during this visit. Harland has worked closely with NRCS staff in the past to help implement and ask questions about what should or shouldn’t be done. While Harland will tell you that he still has a long way to go and not all his plans have been implemented, we are here to recognize him for the small acreage of fescue that he has managed and maintained over the years. He uses it as a hay source, but it also helps with erosion control since it is on steep slope. |
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2024-Hidden Hill Farms of Kansas
The Dakes have wanted to own their own farm since 1993. RJ and Angela were married in 1993 at the end of RJ’s Air Force Career in Sacramento, California. As they both settled into a teaching career and started their family, they looked for farmland to start their dream. Finding themselves outpriced in California, they began to look closer to RJ’s farming roots in the midwest and moved to sunny Topeka, Kansas in 2007 with a plan to buy some acreage. The housing crash of 2008 pushed that dream a little further away again. RJ and Angela would have to wait to buy that farm as they watched their California home lose its value, They could not sell that house and buy that farm, a true disappointment. As the market dragged on they put the dream on hold and focused on raising their children and continuing their careers in education, praying that someday that opportunity might return. And it did. Their California house finally sold in 2011, enabling them to purchase a house with 3 acres in Auburn, Kansas, thinking that it was as close as they would ever get to having a farm. But in 2014, RJ and Angela found out the farm next door was for sale. Little did they know they would find the farm of their dreams right next door! The neighbors had also patiently waited to find a buyer who would love and cherish their land. Finally, after 22 years the waiting and searching were over. In 2015, RJ and Angela bought the 80-acre farm at 7320 SW Indian Hills Road and established Hidden Hill Farms of Kansas. This has allowed RJ and Angela to establish many conservation practices over the last several years, including improvement of the grassland on their property. For those who know RJ and Angela, the farm is a beautiful testament to faith, patience, persistence, and restoration of a dream. They hope that their farm will be an inspiration to all who visit here. |
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📞 Call: (785) 266-9053 ext. 3 Visit: 3231 SW VanBuren Street Ste: 2 Topeka, Kansas 66611 📧 Email: [email protected]
