Tri-Basin Natural Resources District (NRD) held its biennial recognition banquet at the Windmill in Minden on Thursday, January 11, 2019. The event was catered by Cozy Corner Café in Minden. District staff, directors, and guests gathered to recognize recipients of conservation awards.

Tyler Hueftle of Eustis received Tri-Basin NRD's Soil Conservation Award. Hueftle has implemented no-till farming practices throughout his farming operation in Gosper County. He also utilizes cover crops in his operation, including on gravity irrigated cropland. Hueftle comments that he sees the benefit of cover crops in reducing soil erosion and retaining soil moisture. Staff on the Gosper County Natural Resources Conservation Service nominated Hueftle for the award.

Lavern Johnson, the recipient of Tri-Basin NRD's Tree Planter Award, has been planting conservation trees on his property for over 30 years. Johnson has planted over 1400 seedling trees in more than 8,000 linear feet of windbreaks on his Kearney County farm. Tree plantings like Johnson's help reduce soil erosion and provide food, shelter, and nesting habitat for birds and mammals.

Tri-Basin NRD also recognized several directors and staff members for their years of service to the district. Those receiving awards were: Brad Lundeen of Wilcox and Phyllis Johnson of Bertrand (25 years); Carie Lynch of Holdrege (20 years); Esther Smith of Holdrege and Ed Harris of Loomis (15 years); and Lori Hagan of Elwood and Nolan Little of Kearney (15 years).