VBCD Awards Conservationist of the Year and Farmer of the Year
At the Van Buren Conservation District’s annual meeting on July 11, 2012, Executive Director A.J. Brucks recognized Marcy Colclough of South Haven as the Conservationist of the Year and Gayle Branch of Grand Junction as Farmer of the Year.
- A.J. Brucks (Conservation District Executive Director), Bryan Cronenwett (chair of the Van Buren Conservation District board), Adam Mensinger (State Senator John Proos’ office), Gayle Branch, Marcy Colclough, Clay McCausland (Congressman Fred Upton’s office), and State Representative Aric Nesbitt
Marcy Colclough has worked tirelessly for years on many watershed projects through her work for the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission. She has been instrumental in obtaining grants for projects in the Black River and Paw Paw River Watersheds and also volunteers a great deal of her time to the Two Rivers Coalition and the Friends of the St. Joe River.
Gayle Branch is a blueberry farmer in Covert and Grand Junction. He has been proactive in pursuing MAEAP verification while utilizing Natural Resources Conservation Service guidance to ensure an environmentally sustainable farm.
Congratulations to Marcy and Gayle!
