By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The Barton County Conservation District has a big evening planned for Thursday, Feb. 1 in Great Bend. District Manager Veronica Coons said the annual meeting will include a chicken-fried steak meal courtesy of the Barton County Bankers Association, and plenty of talk about conservation.
"It's going to be our 77th annual meeting," she said. "We talk about all of the accomplishments that the conservation district has had for the year. It's a chance for us also to partner with the Barton County Bankers Association. They are having their award ceremony for the soil conservation awards."
Awards for soil conservation, windbreak, and wildlife will be handed out to farmers and landowners in Barton County. The annual meeting begins at 6:45 p.m. There will be an election for two supervisor openings in the district. All qualified voters in Barton County are eligible to vote.
"Following the business part of our meeting, we're going to have a talk presented by Pat Janssen of Edwards County," Coons said. "He's an irrigation innovation expert, and he's also going to give us an update and overview of what's happening with the Rattlesnake Creek impairment in Stafford and Edwards counties."
The event is open to the public and there is no cost to attend. However, guests do need to RSVP with the conservation office by Monday, Jan. 29. A social begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 723 Main Street in Great Bend. Dinner follows at 6 p.m. RSVP by calling (620) 792-3346.