Cherokee Soil & Water Conservation banquet held Friday

Albert Evans, left, presents a plaque to David Powell recipient of the Outstanding Service Award for 33 years of dedicated service as field representative in Area IV on the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation board. The presentation was made on behalf of the county board.

Approximately 170 persons attended the annual Cherokee County Soil and Water Conservation Banquet Friday night at the Norman Activity Center in Jacksonville.

Awards were presented to outstanding conservationists, Johnathon Guinn, Byron Underwood; Outstanding service awards to Morris Dixon for 20 years and David Powell for 33 years; Outstanding County Support to the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce; and Outstanding Student Awards to Brandon Phillips of New Summerfield as the outstanding FFA student; and Sarah Remfer of the Footbridge 4-H for the Outstanding 4-H member.

Rusk and New Summerfield FFA were recognized for their land judging, wildlife and woodland clinic participation during the year.

Outstanding FFA members honored at Friday night's banquet are surrounded by Ag instructors Brian Martin and Jason Wilcox of Rusk and Max McCormack of New Summerfield. New Summerfield and Rusk FFA students receives trophies in land judging, wildlife clinic, and woodland clinic. Students received an individual trophy cup for their participation in the team efforts. Johnathon Guinn, left, receives the Outstanding Conservationist Award from Nolan Scruggs at the Friday night banquet. Mr. Guinn was recognized for outstanding truck farming accomplishments in the conservation of soil, water, plant and related resources. Cherokee County Commissioner Byron Underwood, left, receives an Outstanding Conservation award from Bill Poteet. Mr. Underwood was recognized for his achievements in conservation through community leadership in the county. Brandon Phillips, a New Summerfield student, receives the Outstanding FFA Student in Cherokee County award from his instructor Max McCormack, right. The award was presented by the Cherokee County Soil and Water Conservation District. Sarah Rempfer, Chris Lester Roland Adams, Morris Dixon