April 22, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 175

For further information, contact Michelle Jacobs, Community Relations Officer, 302-739-9921, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. PHOTOS OF THE AWARD WINNERS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

Annual Agricultural and Urban Governor’s Conservation Award Winners Honored Today

This morning, Wednesday, April 22, at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village in Dover, Governor Jack Markell led a ceremony with DNREC Deputy Secretary David Small and Delaware Association of Conservation Districts President Terry Pepper recognizing the winners of the Annual Agricultural and Urban Governor’s Conservation Awards. The Governor also signed a proclamation officially designating April 26 through May 3 as Soil and Water Stewardship Week.

This year’s Conservation Award winners are: 

NEW CASTLE
·         Henry B. duPont, Wilmington – Agricultural Award
Henry B. duPont is being recognized for his remarkable commitment to stewardship of open space land in northern New Castle County from 2005 to 2008. During that time, Mr. duPont has completed six projects on duPont lands, including planting stream buffers protecting more than 10,000 feet of stream bank on 22 acres with 10,155 native trees and shrubs, installing a fenced livestock stream crossing and a stream restoration project involving the planting of more than 6,000 native wildflowers and ferns. As president of the Board of Directors for Red Clay Reservation, Mr. duPont also has spearheaded five projects on reservation lands, including the planting of 10,435 trees and shrubs on 34.4 acres protecting 5,620 feet of stream bank. Nine foot high wire deer fencing was installed around three of the planting projects, totaling 27.5 acres being protected. Funding assistance for the Reservation projects was provided by the New Castle Conservation District Conservation Cost-Share program and the USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program.

·         Anthony G. Schiavi , P.E., New Castle County – Urban Award
As assistant county engineer in New Castle County’s Department of Special Services, Anthony Schiavi supervised New Castle County’s $17 million flood control program, which consists of more than 30 urban storm water management projects, including watershed studies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-DNREC Red Clay Creek project. He developed the equivalent of a general permit program for stream debris removal in conjunction with DNREC’s Division of Water Resources, and ran his Department’s stream bank stabilization program. Tony also served for four years as the County Executive’s designee on the New Castle Conservation District Board of Supervisors and represents New Castle County on the Little Mill (Elsmere) Flood Abatement Committee.

KENT
·         Schiff  Partnership, Bi-state Feeders, Harrington -  Agricultural Award
The Schiff Partnership runs the largest indoor feedlot in Delaware, with approximately 2,000 cattle under roof in a 700-by-100 foot environmentally friendly barn built over a slatted-floor manure reception pit. The barn’s flush-type manure transfer system separates and dewaters solids, while liquids are sent to a series of concrete tanks, further clarified, and then either spray-irrigated or re-used for flush water. The solids are transferred to an aerated, static-pile compost building, where the solids are turned into a compost material and then stored in a stacking shed for later use. The Partnership received technical and financial assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Kent Conservation District. 

·         John Knight, Knollwood Development, Largo, Md. – Urban Award
For the Hazel Farm Project east of Cheswold, John Knight of Knollwood Development Corporation worked with the Kent Conservation District to gain a full understanding of the erosion and sediment regulations in Delaware to meet the challenge of installing the development’s sewer and water underground beneath Route 1. Both utility installations were completed with all erosion and sediment controls in place. The sewer pipe itself is a new type of material which has a proven track record for reducing maintenance. A portion of this work was well beyond the limit of disturbance, and John assumed responsibility for the erosion and sediment control of these areas. The project moved from phase to phase with particular attention to stabilization. Home construction has just recently started.

SUSSEX

·         Woodenhawk Farms, Inc./Danny & Becky Vanderwende, Bridgeville  – Agricultural Award

Danny and Becky Vanderwende of Bridgeville and their four children operate Woodenhawk Farms, Inc., growing 628 acres of corn, soybeans, small grain and fresh market fruits and vegetables, as well as operating a small feeder calf operation. The family business uses the Sussex Conservation District for nutrient management planning, pre sidedress nitrate testing, stalk nitrate testing and manure sampling, and participated in the district’s cover crop program, planting more than 274 acres of cover crop. In addition, Mr. Vanderwende constructed a manure shed on his farm using cost-share funds through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and participates in the Conservation Security Program.

·         Woodbridge School District – Urban Award

The Woodbridge School District’s Phillis Wheatley Middle School started its Conservation Club three years ago with the goal of teaching children about the importance of land and wildlife conservation. The club began with 29 students and now has more than 100 members. Club members worked on a large project to create a secret garden featuring a trail, bird fountain and native plants, a Koi pond, a community herb and vegetable garden, wetlands, a memory garden, a songbird garden and a courtyard project. Through Adopt-A-Wetland Delaware, the club also adopted wetlands located on the school grounds, keeping it free of trash and other debris. The school was featured on WBOC TV’s “Learning Matters” with Lisa Bryant, focusing on how students are learning the importance of soil and land conservation, and making a positive difference in their community through volunteerism.