The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition honored those dedicated to promoting conservation efforts during its virtual 2021 Soil Health Conference.

During this year’s annual meeting, Jim and Carol Faulstich of Highmore, S.D., were presented with the 2021 Legacy Award for their conservation practices.

“I’ve known Jim for about 15 years,” board member Doug Sieck said. “I would be hard-pressed to find someone in the list of people that I know or have been around that have done more, that have given more of their personal time and effort in the interest of enhancing conservation and the stewardship of the soil, the grasslands, the wildlife and the environment in general.”

The coalition created the award in memory of Al Miron of Crooks, S.D., who was one of the founding members of the group and a conservationist.

“There’s a lot of reasons why this is a very special award and greatly appreciated,” Jim Faulstich said. “It’s special to be associated with this group of people, so my hat’s off to everything. And I can’t say thank you enough for this award.”

The board also presented retired Dakota Farmer editor Lon Tonneson with the 2021 Friend of Soil Health Award for his coverage of soil health and agriculture over the years. Speaking of his recent retirement and all the trends he had seen over the course of his career, Tonneson said, “I wish I had a front-row seat on what the next big thing is going to be in agriculture. I got a feeling it’s probably going to come from groups like yours, what you’re doing — intercropping, companion cropping, just a whole host of things.”

Essay and photo winners

The coalition also conducted student essay and photo contests in conjunction with the Soil Health Conference. Lorie Steiner, a student at Lake Area Technical College, won first place with her essay comparing soil to a painter’s canvas. Lynn Foster, a student at Brookings High School, won second place for an essay explaining the importance of reducing tillage.

Megan Stiefvater, a student at McCook Central High School, won first place in the student photo contest with her photo of a milpa garden, and Ella Stiefvater, a homeschooled student in Salem, S.D., won second place with her photo of a rotational field currently growing grass for grazing.

The winning entries in the student contests can be viewed at online.

An additional photo contest was held for conference attendees. Steve Sigdestad won a $200 gift card for his photo of corn planted on 60-inch rows and broadcast-seeded with an eight-species cover crop mix.

New board member elected

Three seats on the board were up for election during the annual meeting. Dennis Hoyle and Doug Sieck were reelected to their seats. Newcomer Van Mansheim, a producer from Colome, S.D., was elected to fill a vacant spot on the board.

Mansheim operates ManBull Farming LLC with his brother Kirk and nephew Heath Bullington. Together they custom-graze cattle and grow corn, winter wheat, oats, soybeans and alfalfa.

“I’m honored to be on this board,” Mansheim said. “I’ve had some great mentors out of this group, and I look forward to continuing the mission of the group and helping other producers with their journeys.”

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