08/18/2026
2026 Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts Annual State Convention. KACD's Outstanding Conservation District Cooperator - Mr. Chris Grasch, Franklin County.
Mr. Grasch purchased his farm in 2009 with a clear vision of what the property could become. He knew the land had been neglected and that opportunities for wildlife habitat were limited, but he saw tremendous potential to restore the farm’s natural resources and create a thriving environment for wildlife. His goal was to rehabilitate the property and bring back a diverse array of species, including deer, turkey, quail, rabbits, songbirds, bats, pollinators, and many other forms of wildlife.
With his extensive background as a wildlife biologist, Chris brought a tremendous amount of knowledge and passion to the project. He worked closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to develop both a Wildlife Habitat Management Plan and a Forest Stewardship Plan. Although he utilized conservation programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Chris already understood the importance of the practices needed to improve the land. He was actively involved in developing his plans and personally completed every conservation practice on the farm without the use of outside contractors.
One of Chris’s first priorities was converting areas of fescue into native warm-season grasses and wildlife food plots. He established native species such as big bluestem, little bluestem, Indiangrass, and switchgrass, creating valuable sources of food, cover, and shelter throughout the property. He also established field borders around these areas, providing additional habitat while serving as firebreaks for prescribed burning. Approximately five years after establishing the warm-season grasses, Chris began using prescribed fire as a management tool to control undesirable weeds and woody vegetation while rejuvenating and maintaining the vigor of the native grasses.
When Chris purchased the farm, there were no dependable water sources for wildlife. To address this resource concern, he installed several ephemeral pools throughout the property, providing much-needed water sources and enhancing habitat for a variety of wildlife species.
Chris has also implemented numerous practices specifically designed to improve wildlife habitat. He conducted hinge cutting to create additional nesting and cover opportunities, established pollinator plots, and installed bat habitat to encourage and support bees, butterflies, bats, and other beneficial species. He created brush piles from low-quality trees, providing additional nesting, escape, and protective cover. Throughout the property, he planted trees that would provide both food and shelter for wildlife, further increasing the diversity and quality of the habitat.
Invasive species management has been another important component of Chris’s conservation efforts. He identified and treated invasive bush honeysuckle and other undesirable vegetation through a multi-year approach. In the first year, affected areas were cut and sprayed, followed by chemical treatments over the same footprint for two additional years. This persistent approach helped ensure the invasive species were effectively controlled and prevented from re-establishing.
While wildlife habitat has been a primary focus, Chris has also demonstrated a strong commitment to the health and long-term sustainability of his forest resources. Through his Forest Stewardship Plan, areas containing low-quality trees and undesirable woody vegetation were identified. Chris conducted selective tree removal and timber stand improvement practices to reduce competition and allow quality timber to thrive. Species such as Osage Orange and locust were removed where appropriate, giving desirable trees the space and resources needed to grow and develop for future generations. He also intentionally created and retained features such as snag trees and den trees to provide valuable habitat for wildlife.
Chris’s farm may not fit the traditional definition of a Kentucky farm filled with row crops or livestock, but it is a remarkable example of what can be accomplished when a landowner recognizes the value of wildlife habitat, healthy forests, and responsible land stewardship. Through years of hard work, planning, and dedication, Chris transformed a neglected property into a showcase of conservation.
Perhaps most impressive is that Chris personally carried out the work himself. His career as a wildlife biologist gave him the knowledge to understand what the land needed, but it was his personal commitment, determination, and passion that turned those plans into reality. He diligently followed his conservation plans, addressing resource concerns through native grass establishment, invasive species control, water development, timber stand improvement, prescribed burning, pollinator habitat, tree plantings, and the creation of nesting and cover opportunities.
Chris has demonstrated an extraordinary passion for creating, enhancing, and maintaining land dedicated to wildlife conservation. Lack of wildlife habitat is a resource concern that can easily be overlooked by landowners, yet Chris embraced that challenge and worked tirelessly to address it. His farm now provides food, water, cover, nesting areas, and shelter for a remarkable diversity of wildlife while also protecting and improving the health of its forest resources.
Chris’s conservation story is one of vision, knowledge, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to the land. He has not simply improved a farm—he has restored an ecosystem and created a lasting legacy of conservation for future generations. His dedication and accomplishments are truly deserving of recognition and commendation as an outstanding conservationist in Franklin County.
Pictured from left to right is Mr. Ted Jessup, President of KACD, Mr. & Mrs. Grasch, Ms. Jennifer Burgan, Sec.-Tr. of KACD, Mr. Todd Akers, Chairman of Franklin County Conservation District, and Mr. Steve Coleman, Vice President of KACD.
