📞 Call: (785) 266-9053 ext. 3                                                     Visit: 3231 SW VanBuren Street Ste: 2 Topeka, Kansas 66611                                        📧 Email: [email protected]

Sponsored By
​The Kansas Bankers Association

Each year the Conservation District reviews work completed by landowners to improve or noticeably sustain cropland.  If an operation stands out above the rest, the District (along with partnering agencies) like to acknowledge the work done to encourage others to do the same. ​One or more can be selected each year. 

Bankers Awards Categories

The conservation district partners with the College of Agriculture; Department of Agronomy, Kansas Bankers Association and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in sponsoring and promoting the Kansas Bankers Awards.  The awards provide recognition of farmers, ranchers, and landowners who have completed projects designed to improve environmental quality or conserve natural resources.  The Shawnee County Conservation District is accepting nominations from the public for potential awardees in Shawnee County. There are six available categories to nominate deserving individuals in:

Energy Conservation Award

• The purpose of the Energy Conservation Award is to stimulate greater interest in the conservation of energy.  This award recognizes farmers and ranchers who have taken measures to reduce fossil-fuel use on their farms and ranches.​

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Soil Conservation Award

• The Soil Conservation Award seeks to promote the conservation of natural resources in Kansas.  This award recognizes farmers and ranchers who have developed and implemented complete soil conservation plans according to the capability of the land.

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Water Conservation Award

• The Water Conservation Award seeks to promote the conservation of water resources in Kansas.  This award recognizes farmers and ranchers who have taken measures to improve the beneficial use of an existing water supply and/or to reduce the water consumption on their farms and ranches.

Water Quality Award

• The Water Quality Recognition Program seeks to encourage the protection of the natural water resources in Kansas.  This award recognizes farmers and ranchers who have taken measures to improve and protect water quality on their land.

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Wildlife Award

• The Wildlife Award seeks to promote the interest in fish and wildlife habitat in Kansas.  This award recognizes farmers and ranchers who have made progress in the development and stewardship of fish and wildlife resources.

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Windbreak Award

• The Soil Conservation Award seeks to promote the development of windbreaks in Kansas.  This award recognizes farmers and ranchers who have established and managed windbreaks on their land.

                                                                            

2025 Wildlife Conservation Award

​Austin Floersch

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​Austin Floersch is an avid conservationist who extensively manages his property for wildlife. Austin has enjoyed the pursuit of big game and bow hunting whitetail deer ever since he was a kid.

Over the years, he has witnessed how proper management can help deer reach their maximum growth potential. Ten years ago, he saw his Oak woodlands being taken over by Bush Honey Suckle and Eastern Red Cedar and knew it was time to take action and get the habitat back.

Since then, Austin has worked with the KDWP Habitat First program, the NRCS EQUIP program, Custom Forestry Applications, Kansas Forestry Service, and many hours on his own working to reform his land. On his land he completed TSI work on 56 ac. Edge Feathered 1.34mi with another .4mi to be completed in 2026.

​Over 200 trees and 1500 shrubs have been planted for wildlife. He also took 43 ac out of crop production leaving the crops standing year-round for wildlife and added a total of 15 ac’s worth of buffer strips around the crop fields.
​Additionally, 4 ac were converted into pollinator plots with another 10 ac to be planted 2026. He has also created two ponds specifically for wildlife and converted his non-native cool season grass by his house to clover.

Austin recently completed a 15-year CRP contract on his property and actively implements fire on his property as a management tool. He has also hosted two classes in conjunction with The Kansas Forestry Service and was a guest on the Kansas Canopy podcast discussing habitat management. Austin has done a remarkable job managing his 180-ac farm in Shawnee County for maximum wildlife value and we are proud to present him with the 2025 Shawnee County Wildlife Conservation Bankers Award.

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📞 Call: (785) 266-9053 ext. 3                                                     Visit: 3231 SW VanBuren Street Ste: 2 Topeka, Kansas 66611                                        📧 Email: [email protected]