BRIDGEVILLE — The Sussex Conservation District held the 2023 Cooperators’ dinner Dec. 5 at the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company to recognize the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Cooperator of the Year.

David Baird, Sussex Conservation District coordinator, welcomed over 250 guests from across Sussex County including Sen. Dave Wilson, R-Lincoln, Rep. Jesse Vanderwende, R-Bridgeville, Rep. Ron Gray, R-Selbyville, and Leon Tillman, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service acting state conservationist.

“This is an evening that we all look forward to,” said Mr. 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 Sussex Conservation District in his professional and personal life.

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

Following remarks by Mr. Kee, Joel Wharton, Sussex Conservation District board of supervisor’s chairman, and Debbie Absher, Sussex Conservation District 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, Mr. 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, Mr. 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. Mr. 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 Sussex Conservation District’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, visit delawareenvirothon.org.