The Franklin County Conservation District held its Annual Meeting and handed out two awards. One award went to Rudy Manes of rural Richmond. Rudy and Andrea Manes are the 2022 winner of the Grassland Award. The manes have 1,200 acres and run 125 cow-calf pairs and also grow crops. They built two miles of cross-fencing, which helps maintain better grass quality. The also promote water quality, partly by installing freeze-proof water supply tanks below the ponds. During a brief address, Manes recalled an experience he had with President Reagan:
The other award winner was Camp Chippewa, south and east of Ottawa and its Manager James Ritner.
