News : Benton SWCD Award Winner‏ - Geater

Lenard and Marlys Geater have worked diligently over the years to establish a beautiful and functional windbreak for their home and building site. This windbreak includes several kinds of spruce, pine and even Lenard’s experiment with willow hybrid trees. Lenard says he wasn’t sure he liked the willowy looking trees very much, but after the windstorm in July, he likes them a lot more. He says they were limber enough to bend around the other trees, offering some support to the sturdier trees and breaking the wind. He feels that likely saved his wood working building from greater harm. He prefers the evergreen varieties for his windbreak.

The Geater’s windbreak did suffer some damages during the summer storm, as so many others did. But the Geaters say many of the trees will recover, and the ones that had to be removed will be replaced. They appreciate the protection of a good windbreak! Windbreaks not only provide protection from wind and cold, they also provide habitat for wildlife, especially songbirds. The Benton Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners congratulate Mr. & Mrs. Geater and thank them for their conservation efforts with their windbreak.

Lenard and Marlys Geater (center) are presented the 2011 Izaak Walton Windbreak Award for the Benton SWCD by Commissioners Russ Lindberg (L) and Harold Cassens (R).