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A Saline County farm family has been honored for its commitment to environmental and natural resources protection and conservation. Jerry and Karlene Knopf, sons Justin, Jeff, and daughter-in-law, Rachel, were selected as recipients of the Kansas Farm Bureau Natural Resources Award for 2005. This award was created in 2002, to recognize outstanding individuals who undertake and implement management practices that provide environmental protection and conserve and enhance natural resources. The award was presented to the Knopf family at the KFB annual meeting, Nov. 11, 2005, in Manhattan. Located near Gypsum, Kansas, Knopf Farms consists of alfalfa, wheat, grain sorghum, soybeans and corn. The Knopfs began experimenting with no-till farming eight years ago and today their entire operation is no-till. Since becoming 100 percent no-till, the Knopfs have experienced decreased water runoff and increased water infiltration on their croplands. They utilize their own field sprayer, crop rotation and the Conservation Reserve Program in addition to no-till as a management tools for their operation. The KFB Natural Resources Award recipient is selected from a group of ten Kansas Farm Bureau members, each of whom have received recognition for their commitment to environmental protection and natural resources conservation within their geographic KFB district.