November 2024

A round-up of local conservationists, cattle farmers, educators, friends (dove hunters) and family members of the late Ron Branaman occurred recently (September 7 th ) to officially dedicate the ever-growing Pollinator Garden/Outdoor Classroom at the Crooked Creek Conservation District office! The garden has been underway for several seasons, but it’s taken the right date to get the family all in town for this special event. Ron was a serious dove hunter since boyhood, a tradition he passed on to his children. Finally, the date was set for opening morning of dove season, since the family would all be together that morning hunting the same Marion County field for over 30 years. This event gave the Crooked Creek Conservation District board members a chance to meet the family over a cup of coffee and discuss the garden’s creation and impact it’s had on the local landscape. New banners were displayed signaling this space as a pollinator garden and educating the importance of pollinators in agriculture! Riverside Banners of Mtn. Home replicated a life-size print of Ron holding a remarkable black crappie he caught on one of his last fishing excursions. This brought tears to the eyes of the family and was a good backdrop for photos! Another highlight was the honey available for purchase. Someone remarked, “I got some honey from dad’s bees!”