Sussex Conservation District holds Cooperators’ Dinner

The Sussex Conservation District recently held its 2023 cooperators’ dinner at the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company to recognize the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Cooperator of the Year honorees.

David Baird, SCD district coordinator, welcomed more than 250 guests from across Sussex County, including Sen. Dave Wilson, R-Bridgeville; Rep. Jesse Vanderwende, R-Bridgeville; and Rep. Ron Gray, R-Selbyville; and conservation district leaders from across the state including Leon Tillman, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service acting state conservationist.

“This is an evening that we all look forward to,” said Baird. “We not only get to have great fellowship with good friends, but we also get to take the opportunity to recognize the amazing work that you, our cooperators, have accomplished.”

Following dinner, guest speaker Ed Kee, former Delaware Department of Agriculture secretary, recounted his experience with SCD in his professional and personal life.

“Conservation districts and their programs improve quality of life across the county, and their mission is a profound one, conserving land and water resources for the current and future generations,” said Kee.

Following remarks by Kee, Joel Wharton, SCD board of supervisors chair, and Debbie Absher, SCD director of ag programs, presented the Cooperator of the Year awards.

Blaine Hitchens of Laurel was recognized as the 2021 Cooperator of the Year. A third-generation farmer, Hitchens grows corn, soybeans, cover crops and 150,000 broilers on nearly 1,000 acres in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. His operation incorporates no-till and cover crops to improve soil health and water quality.

Fourth-generation farmer Jay Hastings of Delmar was recognized as the 2022 Cooperator of the Year. Always looking to give back, Hastings transformed marginal farmland into a wildlife habitat after clearing woodland to put into production. The project benefits the adjacent field, drawing excess water away from crops into three shallow ponds. The ponds, enhanced with native plants, filter nutrients and improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.

The 2023 Cooperator of the Year, Guy Phillips of Georgetown, was recognized for his commitment to regenerative agriculture. Phillips utilizes single and multi-species cover crops, and planting green to increase biodiversity and minimize soil disturbance, which improves water quality in the Delaware Bay and Inland Bays.

The event also brought in more than 135 donations for Toys for Tots and kicked off SCD’s 80th anniversary celebration to continue throughout 2024. Proceeds from the event were donated to Delaware Envirothon, an environmental challenge event for teams of high school students. For more information, go to delawareenvirothon.org and sussexconservation.org.