Sixty-nine years ago a group of five men met on Jan. 28, 1947, for the first board meeting of the newly organized Barton County Conservation District. Assistance of the Federal Soil Conservation Service was requested at that time. Members of the board were J. Wylie Logan, Hoisington, Chairman; Walter G. Praeger, Claflin, Vice-Chairman; Virgil A. Unruh, Pawnee Rock; Secretary; W.G. Nicholson, Great Bend, Treasurer; and member Elmer J. Bird, Great Bend. These men laid the ground work through volunteer programs to stop erosion of land by establishing and carrying out sound conservation programs on the farms.
Since that January in 1947, a lot of changes have taken place with those volunteer programs. However, the original reasons districts were formed haven’t changed and that is preserving, protecting and conserving our natural resources.
Every year the Barton County Conservation District gathers to report, reward and recognize accomplishments and those individuals who have faithfully practiced conservation of the land they are responsible for, and students who participated and won in educational programs offered through the district.
An election of one supervisor position will be held. Ken Koester has served on the district board as Vice-Chairman and Treasurer for six years and is seeking a third term. Ken is a CPA and comes from a farming background.
On Jan. 23, at 6:30 p.m. the 69th Annual Meeting will be held at the Community College Student Union. The public is invited. A meal will be served and immediately following will be the reports and awards. Door prizes will be offered throughout the evening.  
RSVP by Jan. 15, if you plan to attend. Contact Pam Tucker at 620-792-3346 ext. 1334 to make reservations.