Convention Award Winners - 2025
Leopold Conservation Award: Kevin Wiltse Family, Rush County
The Kevin Wiltse family has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Kansas Leopold Conservation Award®.
The award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in the management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land.
Kevin Wiltse and his wife Amanda and their three children farm with his mother. Wiltse Family Farms consists of native range and dryland cropland near Timken. They were presented with the $10,000 award at the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts’ Annual Convention.
Pat Lehman Legacy Award: Dennis Schwant, Pottawatomie County
Outstanding Supervisor Award: Jared Pollock, Bourbon County
Jared Pollock, supervisor in Bourbon County, received the Oustanding Supervisor of the Year Award
Pollinator Habitat Improvement Award: Bruce and Ellen Kerschner Family, Rush County
Bruce and Ellen Kerschner, of Rush County received the Pollinator Habitat Improvement Award.
Grassland Merit Award: LaVerene and Brandon Garner, Clay County
LaVerne and Brandon Garner of Clay County were the recipients of the 2025 Grassland Merit Award.
Kansas Agroforestry Award: Jim and Janet Woolsoncroft, Marshall County
The 2025 Kansas Agroforestry Award was presented to Jim and Janet Woolsoncroft, of Marshall County.
Tree Farmer of the Year Award: Floyd and Sue Schmidt, Douglas County
The Tree Farmer of the Year Award was presented to Floyd and Sue Schmidt of Douglas County.
District Professional Award from the Employees Organization: Pam Walker, Wilson County
Pam Walker, District Manager for the Wilson County Conservation District was the 2025 recipient of the District Professional Award for her outsatnding work and dedication to implementing conservation and providiing conservation education experiences.
NRCS Earth Team Award; County Conservation District Employee Award
Victoria Yohn, District Manager at Kiowa Count Conservation District received the Earth Team, Individual Volunteer Award.
State Conservation Commision Conservation Champion; Ken Rahjes
The State Conservation Commission's Conservation Champion Award is intent to recognize an individual or group for extraordinary accomplishments in conservation in Kansas.
The recipient of the 2025 State Conservation Champion Award is Ken Rahjes
2025 Governor's Recognition of Conservation Districts
Decatur County Conservation District received the Governors recognition of Conservation Districts award for their continued dedicaiton to the conservation of natural resources in Kansas.
Shawnee County Conservation District received the Governors recognition of Conservation Districts award for their continued dedicaiton to the conservation of natural resources in Kansas.
Stanton County Conservation District received the Governors recognition of Conservation Districts award for their continued dedicaiton to the conservation of natural resources in Kansas.
Sumner County Conservation District received the Governors recognition of Conservation Districts award for their continued dedicaiton to the conservation of natural resources in Kansas.
Wabaunsee County Conservation District received the Governors recognition of Conservation Districts award for their continued dedicaiton to the conservation of natural resources in Kansas.
Washington County Conservation received the Governors recognition of Conservation Districts award for their continued dedicaiton to the conservation of natural resources in Kansas.
Wichita County Conservation District received the Governors recognition of Conservation Districts award for their continued dedicaiton to the conservation of natural resources in Kansas. Staff was unable to attend to accept the award.
Woodson County Conservation District received the Governors recognition of Conservation Districts award for their continued dedicaiton to the conservation of natural resources in Kansas.
Wyandotte County Conservation District received the Governors recognition of Conservation Districts award for their continued dedicaiton to the conservation of natural resources in Kansas. Staff was unable to attend to accept the award.