A windbreak seen from US-56 on the Stuart Penner farm east of Hillsboro has earned him a windbreak award from Marion County Conservation District.

Stuart said he planted the windbreak to protect his home.

He and his wife, Lynette, will have been married for 50 years this fall. They have three daughters and seven grandchildren. He served on the Marion County Fair Board when his daughters were in 4-H.

He had cattle and hogs for a while and now continues to farm. Stuart uses no-till farming practices, which he said keeps erosion under control.

“Try to leave something as good as or better than when you got it,” he tells farmers and ranchers. “Cedar trees are good in the right place but can be a noxious weed in the wrong place.”

Stories about the award winners

were written by Record staff writer

Rowena Plett