YOUNG FARMERS OF THE YEAR-Kelly Spivey and Craig Ogletree were named the Young Farmers of the Year.

CELINA-The annual Clay County Soil Conservation District Awards Banquet attended by more than 200 people who celebrated the district’s accomplishments during 2011 was held here late last year in the Women’s Center Building of the Clay County Recreation Complex to recognize outstanding farmers in the area.

Receiving awards were Reyes Rich Conservation Farmer of the Year, Ronnie Raines Part-time Conservation Farmer of the Year, Danny Kendall  the Elmo Henson Grassland Farmer of the Year Award. Craig Ogletree and Kelly Spivey Young Farmers of the Year, Jessica Upchurch Elementary School Conservation Teacher of the Year, Jason Coons Educator of the Year, Chris and Shawna Gregory Clay County Poultry Producers of the Year,  and Katie Sherrell Scholarship Winner.

Also recognized were the members of the Clay County  Soil Judging Team Bonnie Craighead, Jaylan Hancock, Macey Kendall, Kristy Hatcher, Aylssa Kendall, Quentin Gass, Sydney Smith, Tanna Browning, Quenton Netherton, Cheyenne Smith, Samantha Smith, Charles Smith, and Kaleb Sweezy and the Envirothon Teams of Bonnie Craighead, Jake Clements, Dillard Biles, Matt Copeland, Macey Kendall, Tessa Dixon, Brooke Hale, Cheyenne Smith, Daryean Daughtery, and Taylor White.

The Conservation District also conducted a poster contest for kindergarten through 4th grade students in Clay County. The winners were Kindergarten: first place Logan Jennings, Celina K-8, second place Andrew Smith, Hermitage Springs; first grade: first Place and state entry Zander Hale, Hermitage Springs, second place Sarah Likens, Hermitage Springs; second  grade: first place Abby Eads, Celina K-8, second place           Dustin Hancock, Maple Grove; third grade: first place and state entry Dory McClain, Hermitage Springs, second place Allie Collins, Maple Grove; fourth grade: first place and state entry Jacob Walker, Celina K-8 second place A.J. Boles, Celina K-8.

The district also honored the memory of the late James Reed Bailey and Jerry McLerran with recognition awards of their accomplishments and contributions in farming.

The banquet is made possible each year with the help of many volunteers, other supporting organizations and many local sponsors.

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