2024 Windbreak Award Winners are David and Barbara Griffin

The 2024 Rooks County Windbreak Award Winners are David and Barbara Griffin of Natoma.

The land has been in the family since 1951, with David and Barbara purchasing it in 1990 from Melvin Griffin. In 1999, David and Barbara planted a windbreak on the cultivated ground to keep the soil from blowing. Barbara remembers the scarcity of trees, 'There weren't many trees for miles.' The windbreak planting was part of the EQIP program. They planted 546 trees, costing them $664. The windbreak was a mixture of Eastern Redcedars and Ponderosa pines. The pines died and were replanted with cedars in 2001.

Weed barrier fabric was utilized in the planting and was essential for tree survival. One summer, Barbara and one of her grandkids spent many hours pulling weeds from around the trees, and he still remembers that to this day. As the trees matured, they became habitats for pheasants and some quail.

David was laid to rest in December of 2023. David enjoyed being a part of Heritage Seekers in Natoma and an active member of the church and at community events. When asked about planting more windbreaks and words of advice to others, Barbara commented that she has mixed emotions regarding more tree plantings since the cedar trees have spread into the rangeland.

Thank you to David and Barbara Griffin for your tree-planting efforts, and congratulations on being selected as the 2024 Kansas Bankers Association Windbreak Award Winners from Rooks County.

(Article written by: Rachael Brooke, Phillips- Rooks District Extension Agent)