2012 Awards {presented at the Annual Conference}
Dr. Milo Harpstead, father of the Soil Science program at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, retired from the faculty in 1992 with 31 years of service. Milo was an impressive and influential professor who fostered an interest in soil science in many a student at a UWSP. Dr Harpstead developed the Soil Science major at UW Stevens Point in the early 60’s.
Africa learn better ways to feed themselves.
Dr. Harpstead received his Ph. D in Soil Science from the University of Minnesota. Milo was co-author in 1980 of Soil Science Simplified published by Iowa State University Press. As of 2008, that well recognized text had centered its 5th edition with Milo still involved. Milo continues to serve our SWCS-Chapter and is presently our representative to the WI Conservation Hall of Fame. We all continue to learn from Milo in his work on the Council and with special events such as our 2009 geology tour near Stevens Point.
Regarding any advice for managing people, Milo stated, “Be a good listener and acknowledge the positive qualities of each individual”
A Chapter Achievement Award is being presented to long-time member and chapter treasurer, Gene Hausner. Gene is a valued and loved asset to the Soil and Water Conservation Society. He has been a SWCS member approaching 50 years and has been in his current treasurer position approaching 20 years.
Gene developed his passion for conservation growing up on his family dairy farm in southern Sauk County, near the village of Plain. Wanting to continue to work with the soil resource and develop a career in agriculture, Gene enrolled at UW-Platteville in the mid-60’s. There he helped charter the first SWCS Student Chapter in the state. He took on a student trainee position with the Soil Conservation Service, learning the ropes stationed out of Columbia County. His duties that summer led him north into Marquette County where he was introduced to a young UWEX Family Living Agent, who would become his wife of 46 years, Georgene. Also during that summer, Gene laid out many of the drainage systems in the muck soils south of the Montello that became productive vegetable, grain and mint fields, and then later, in the 1990’s those same ditches were plugged and became the 1,700 acre Duffy’s March WRP easement.
Upon graduation from UW-Platteville, Gene started full time for the SCS and was stationed in Shawano County. He was called upon to travel to Stevens Point and help the College of Natural Resources charter their SWCS Student Chapter. Gene worked extremely hard for the SCS and was stationed at many duty stations in his 5 decade career. After serving in Shawano County he was promoted to District Conservationist and served in both Monroe and Barron Counties. He was promoted again in the early 90’s to Area Resource Conservationist stationed out of Richland Center, where he ended his 41 year career helping 11 southwestern driftless counties with their conservation duties, specializing in conservation planning and rotational grazing.
Gene, throughout his career, was always known to lend a helping hand to any task that needed to be done. Gene also has given of himself to many, many hours of volunteering on many boards and organizations such as the Spring Green Village Board, Wisconsin Certified Crop Advisor Board, the Knights of Columbus, Wisconsin Honey Growers Association and the Soil and Water Conservation Society, just to name a few. For our WI Chapter, Gene serves as our treasurer. What a fitting position, for we all treasure Gene.
The Ozaukee/Washington Land Trust is one of the state’s most productive and innovative land trusts. To date they’ve protected nearly 5,000 acres of land in two of Wisconsin’s fastest growing counties while engaging young and old alike in education and management activities that serve as a model for all land trusts.
The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust offers services to property owners and communities throughout Ozaukee and Washington Counties in the areas of land conservation, education and stewardship. The trust recently won a highly competitive grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to help fund the restoration of a former golf
course into a migratory preserve along Lake Michigan, known now as the Forest Beach Migratory Preserve.
The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust is well regarded for its conservation work. Gathering Waters, Inc., the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Ozaukee and Washington County Land Conservation Departments and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources all support and endorse the preservation work of
the Land Trust. The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust is a sponsor of Gathering Waters and the Land Trust Alliance, and a member of the Ulao Creek Partnership and the Milwaukee River Land and Water Partner Team.
The Ozaukee/ Washington Land Trust was recently awarded the “Land Trust of the Year” by Gathering Waters.
UW – Stevens Point SWCS Student Chapter Scholarship: Kelly McCredie
Kelly is a first semester senior majoring in General Resource Management with a minor in Soil Science. Kelly serves as the student chapter Public Relations Officer and maintains a 3.6 GPA. Kelly is a non-traditional student and has worked for county land conservation departments and NRCS as a technician and administrative assistant. Kelly decided to return to school and earn a bachelor’s degree to allow her to have a greater influence on planning and implanting conservation in Wisconsin.
UW – Platteville SWCS Student Chapter Scholarship: Hannah Wisth
Hannah is a junior majoring in Soil/Crop Science with a minors in Ornamental Horticulture; Environmental Science and maintains a 3.3 GPA. Hannah grew up on a small farm near Rubicon Wisconsin where she became interested in learning more about conservation and the environment. Hannah has recently been involved in the
Platteville Pioneer Farm edge of field surface water monitoring program.
{no picture available}
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Past Chapter Awards
Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame Inductees
Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization composed of 24 Wisconsin conservation-related organizations. The Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame Foundation was established to encourage the growth and practice of a conservation ethic as a legacy for the people of the state.
The inductees into the Hall of Fame have significantly contributed to conservation programs, projects, public understanding, and conservation ethics within the state of Wisconsin and the nation.
For more information on the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame visit http://www.wchf.org
