2021, 2022 and 2023 Cooperators Hitchens, Hastings and Phillips recognized.

GEORGETOWN, Del., Dec. 14, 2023 – The Sussex Conservation District (SCD) recently held the 2023 Cooperators’ Dinner at the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company to recognize the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Cooperator of the Year.

David Baird, SCD district coordinator, welcomed over 250 guests from across Sussex County, including Sen. Dave Wilson, Rep. Jesse Vanderwende, and Rep. Ron Gray. Also in attendance were 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,” said Kee. “and their mission is a profound one, conserving land and water resources for the current and future generations.”

Following remarks by Kee, Joel Wharton, SCD board of supervisor’s chairman, 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 SCDs 80^th 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, visit www.delawareenvirothon.org.

About the Sussex Conservation District:

The Sussex Conservation District is dedicated to serving Sussex County by providing technical guidance and financial assistance to enhance, maintain, protect and improve land and water resources. Since 1944, SCD has worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and implement effective conservation practices. For more information visit www.sussexconservation.org.

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PHOTOS:

COOPERATORS: Cooperators of the Year, from left, 2021, Blaine Hitchens, of Laurel; 2022, Jay Hastings, of Delmar; and 2023, Guy Phillips, of Georgetown, were recognized at the Cooperators’ dinner held in Bridgeville on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

REPRESENTATIVES: Rep. Jesse Vanderwende, left, and Sen. David Wilson, chat before the 2023 Cooperators’ dinner held in Bridgeville, on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

KEE 1: Guest speaker, Ed Kee, former Delaware Department of Agriculture secretary, recalls his experience with SCD at the Cooperators’ dinner held in Bridgeville on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

KEE 2: Ed Kee, former Delaware Department of Agriculture secretary, chats with guests at the Cooperators’ dinner held in Bridgeville on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

ABSHER BAKER: Debbie Absher, SCD director of ag programs, and Chip Baker, retired farmer from Laurel, catch up at the 2023 Cooperators’ dinner held in Bridgeville, on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

GUESTS: Over 250 guests attended the 2023 Cooperators’ dinner held in Bridgeville, on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

DOOR PRIZES: Guests listen closely for their ticket number to be called for a chance to win a door prize at the 2023 Cooperators’ dinner held in Bridgeville, on Tuesday, Dec. 5.