Conservation group honors two

The North Dakota Soil and Water Conservation Society recently presented two awards.

Ken Miller of Fort Rice received its Outstanding Service Award for excellence in promoting cropping and grazing systems focused on improving soil health.

Ken and Bonnie Miller have used an intensive rotational grazing system for more than 20 years on their 2,000-acre ranch in Morton County. They have employed no-till for eight years and have been growing cover crops for three.

Through his work for the Burleigh County Soil Conservation District, Miller has become an authority on grazing systems, no-till and cover crops throughout the United States and Canada.

The society also awarded Kris Nichols, USDA-ARS soil microbiologist at the Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, Mandan, its Professional Award for her explorations into soil microbiology, crop nutrient cycling, rotations, soil aggregation and the role of glomalin. Nichols has become a recognized expert on soil microbiology around the world.

Welcome House elects new board

Welcome House Inc. has elected Thomas Ault as president of its board of directors.

Ault is the owner and manager of Point CPA in Bismarck.

Nicole Thompson, Bismarck, was elected vice president; Beth Allen, with Charity Lutheran Church, was elected treasurer; and Nancy Kleingartner, with University of Mary, was re-elected secretary.

Re-elected as a board member was Darrell Nitschke, with the North Dakota Public Service Commission.

New board members elected were Rebecca Albers and Chad Bjornson, both with Starion Financial; Treva Beard with the N.D. Department of Transportation; Tammy Blumhagen, of BluPrint Media and BluHorn, LLC; and Mary Jo Van Horn, of Van Horn Media and of BluHorn, LLC.

Welcome House Inc. is a faith-based organization serving homeless women and families in Bismarck-Mandan.

Apartment group aids local effort

The Bismarck Mandan Apartment Association recently presented a check for $708 to the Bismarck Chapter of Rebuilding Together.

The money was raised through an auction at the association’s annual Vendor Appreciation Day.

SWA gets water quality award

DICKINSON — The Southwest Water Authority has been recognized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for meeting water fluoridation criteria.

The 2008 Water Fluoridation Quality Award recognizes water systems that have maintained a consistent level of optimally fluoridated water for the calendar year.

Philanthropists earn awards

The Coalition of Charitable Organizations has named Bosch Lumber — Paul, Joel and Troy Bosch, and Fisher Industries and its employees the 2009 Outstanding Philanthropists award.

Both companies operate in Dickinson.

Their award recognizes a family, an individual or organization with a proven record of exceptional generosity that has contributed significantly to the success of nonprofit agencies in southwestern North Dakota.