By By JOHN EBY / Cassopolis Vigilant
DOWAGIAC - Curt Johnson chairs the Cass County Conservation District, but he's also a (surprised) CCCD award winner, too, for promoting ag-tourism with his “preserve for the working guy.”
McAdam said Johnson started as a boy, raising birds as a hobby - whether they were chickens, turkeys, peacocks or pheasants.
When his grandfather passed away in 1974, Johnson assumed operation of his family's farm in the Marcellus area. “As many farmers did then, and still do, he raised hogs,” McAdam said. “But for some reason, people kept coming back to buy birds.
Today, Johnson raises ring-necked pheasants. Between 60,000 and 80,000 birds hatch each year. Johnson raises about 20,000 adult birds.
The Michigan Department of Travel Web site includes a link to Rolling Hills “so people who are interested in visiting our great state can easily find its quality public shooting preserve,” McAdam said. “Therefore, in recognition of his efforts in promoting diversity in agriculture, sportsmanship, tourism and conservation, the Cass County Conservation District and the Cass County chapter of Pheasants Forever proudly present Curt Johnson with the Ag-Tourism Award.”