The Conservation Farmer of the Year was the first award the District instituted, and it was given to recognize a Westmoreland County farmer who implemented outstanding conservation practices on his or her operation.
Good conservation practices include creating a riparian buffer along a stream and limiting where animals can cross it, rotational grazing, spring developments with water troughs, and animal walkways.
Originally called “Outstanding Farm Cooperator,” this award began in 1953 but was not given annually in the early years. It has been awarded each year since 1975, with the exception of 1993.
Award Winners
2024 – Marla & Todd Frescura, Dante & Evan
2023 – John D. Kitz, Mount Pleasant Township
2022 – The Lash Family Farm – Craig and Eleanor Lash, Sewickley Township
2021 – The John Starr Family – Starr Valley Farm, Allegheny Township
2020 – Ralph, Jr. and Anne Frye, Unity Township
2019 – Lewis and Kate Lobdell, Unity and Cook Townships
2018 – Greg, Garrett and Lesley Forejt, East Huntingdon Township
2017 – John and Sukey Jamison, Unity Township
2016 – Jason and Duane Stahl, South Huntingdon Township
2015 – Mike and Ina Bazley, Derry Township
2014 – Barbara and Dave McMillan, Donegal Township
2013 – Rick, Mary and Helen Duncan, Derry Township
2012 – John, Dave and Nick Yuris, Derry Township
2011 – William Hoffer, Mount Pleasant Township
2010 – Wayne and Eileen Baughman, Salem Township
2009 – Robert and Jen Berich, East Huntingdon Township
2008 – Friendship Farms, Joe and Mike Costello, Unity Township
2007 – Terry Matty, South Huntingdon Township
2006 – Adam Battistella, Hempfield Township
2005 – William Selembo, Salem Township
2004 – Wayne Frye, Salem Township
2003 – Earl and Judy Sadler, Donegal Township
2002 – John and Bob Graham, Fairfield Township
2001 – Richard Stoner, Unity Township
2000 – William Doney, South Huntingdon Township
1999 – David H. Smith, South Huntingdon Township
1998 – F. Rodney Smith, South Huntingdon Township
1997 – Pounds Turkey Farm, Rick and Tim Pounds, Allegheny Township
1996 – Welty Keenan, Hempfield Township
1995 – Robert C. Lydick, Derry Township
1994 – Donald Hall, Unity Township
1992 – Charles and Charles Jr. Carr, Salem Township
1991 – King’s Nursery, Unity Township
1990 – Herbert Guyer, Derry Township
1989 – Heinnickle Farms, Inc., Hempfield Township
1988 – Eidemiller Farm, Hempfield Township
1987 – Nedro and Mulhollen, N and M Dairy, Donegal Township
1986 – Wilkinson Nursery, Hempfield Township
1985 – Bill and Rick Ebert, Derry Township
1984 – Max and Ed Sapinsky, East Huntingdon Township
1983 – Ralph, Jr. and Anne Frye, Unity Township
1982 – Schramm Farms, Penn Township
1981 – James Schenck, East Huntingdon Township
1980 – Welty Keenan, Hempfield Township
1979 – John Greenawalt, The Pore Farm, Sewickley Township
1978 – Donald Hutter, Mount Pleasant Township
1977 – Fred Slezak, Salem Township
1976 – Wigle, John R., Mount Pleasant Township
1975 – Boyd Wolff, Salem Township
1973 – Gilbert Hutter, Mount Pleasant Township
1972 – Jess Stairs, Mount Pleasant Township
1971 – John G. Mondic, Salem Township
1970 – Father Firman Beyer, Unity Township
1966 – Virgil Walters, Salem Township
1960 – Harry Marker, Ligonier Township
1959 – Edward Philipp, North Huntingdon
1958 – Sylvester Heinnickel, Hempfield Township
1957 – Levi Silvis, Hempfield Township
1956 – William Deeds, Mount Pleasant Township
1955 – George Gerhard, Derry Township
1954 – Levi Silvis, Hempfield and Unity Townships
1953 – James Torrance, Franklin Township
