Craig & Jessica Iwanski named 2021 Windbreak Award Winner

The 2021 Rooks County Windbreak Award winner is Craig and Jessica Iwanski of Stockton. They have worked diligently to establish windbreaks on their property.

The Iwanski’s purchased the 26 acre property east of Stockton in 2004 with the plan to build a large animal facility on it first with an eventual small animal facility as well. Those plans came to fruition and is now the home of Central Veterinary Services.

Several windbreaks have been planted on the property with the purpose of providing protection for the veterinary facility plus livestock protection for their own cattle and horses. The windbreaks were established in 2008 with around 500 Eastern Red Cedar trees being planted. Weed barrier fabric and a water irrigation system were utilized on all tree plantings. In 2009, approximately 25 trees were replanted.

Craig remembers setting up the irrigation system and poking all of the holes in the weed barrier fabric for the drip nozzles. That first year, the frustration were the coyotes chewing apart a few of the hoses.

Besides the protection for the veterinary facility and livestock, the Iwanskis have seen pheasants and quail benefiting from the windbreaks as well.

Craig and Jessica have plans to refurbish an existing windbreak on another property south of Stockton that is utilized for their cattle. If they decide to establish another tree planting, they plan to build the fences further away from the trees.

Thank you to Craig and Jessica Iwanski for their tree planting efforts and congratulations on being selected the 2021 Kansas Bankers Association Windbreak Award Winner from Rooks County.

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