On Saturday, July 25, NACD celebrated its 75th anniversary in Chicago, Illinois, where the association was founded in 1946.
The national association hosted a 75th Anniversary Celebration at the Hancock Center, which featured remarks from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, as well as a historical presentation from Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) Historian Joe Otto.
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“NACD and NRCS have forged an important bond that has helped to deliver conservation to millions of acres across our country, and over the years much has been done to reduce soil loss, to improve water conservation, and to advance the conservation of natural resources and wildlife across America’s working lands,” Secretary Vilsack said. “Happy 75th anniversary, and please know that all of us at USDA look forward to working with you to advance conservation for years to come.”
“Creating real change starts at the local level,” Senator Duckworth said. “The work groups like NACD do with leaders in agriculture, conservation, environment, education and industry to promote responsible management and conservation of natural resources helps to make our country a better place.”
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NACD, AISWCD ANNOUNCE 2020 STAR AWARD RECIPIENTS
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On Monday, July 26, NACD and the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) announced the winners of the 2020 STAR awards. The Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (STAR) Initiative was created by two concerned farmers in Illinois as a voluntary solution to local natural resources concerns. STAR has since expanded to Iowa, Missouri and Colorado.
“The recipients of the 2020 STAR awards have helped to promote voluntary conservation through a number of avenues,” NACD President Michael Crowder said. “We’re proud to bring awareness to their extraordinary efforts.”
Award recipients include Sarah Blount, American Farmland Trust Conservation Technician, as 2020 STAR Partner of the Year; the Martin Family Farm of Logan County as 2020 STAR Farmer of the Year; and DeKalb County SWCD as 2020 STAR Licensee of the Year.
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NACD ANNOUNCES $2.1 MILLION IN 2021 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS
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These grants, made possible through an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), complement the $13 million in technical assistance grants awarded to previous grantees in April of this year.
“These grants will help conservation districts carry out conservation plans for customers in high priority areas,” NACD President Michael Crowder said.
To date in 2021, NACD and NRCS have awarded $15 million in technical assistance grants. Since the program’s inception, NACD has nationally awarded nearly $50 million in technical assistance grants, with recipients in all 50 states and three U.S. territories.
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CONSERVATION FORUM HIGHLIGHTS CONSERVATION THROUGH SPEAKERS
AND PANELS
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During breakfast on Monday morning, attendees heard from GROWMARK President and Chairman of the Board John Reifsteck (pictured above) about the research being conducted on his farm.
Reifsteck's operation is home to the most studied agriculture field on the planet, with over eight billion data points taken in over 25 years. The research on his operation began with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), but grew to include many other entitites, and has focused on a variety of topics including carbon sequestration.
Reifsteck says that this research is incredibly important as we continue to address conservation challenges. "What I do on my field also affects what happens on your field and around the world," he said.
So far, the research has found that his minimum tillage operation can sequester about 1,000 pounds of carbon per year on average, while a conventional tillage system of a similar crop type loses about 2,000 pounds of carbon per year.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Terry Cosby provided virtual remarks to the crowd about the importance of conservation and the work accomplished by NACD.
"Conservation works best when it's about collaboration and partnership," he said. "We can't do this alone... we need your help."
The morning's conservation forum also included information about the Saving Tomorrow's Agriculture Resources (STAR) Initiative, a free tool developed by the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District in Illinois to help producers evaluate their nutrient and soil loss management practices, and how it's been adapted in other states.
The program featured highlights about the original STAR program by STAR Assistant Coordinator Bruce Henrikson, information about Colorado's adapted STAR program by Cindy Lair, Program Manager for the Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB), and a special STAR panel.
"[STAR] puts districts in the driver's seat for conservation programs," Lair said.
The conservation forum finished with a Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI) panel featuring the 2020 inaugural cohort. Cohort members shared the importance of the program and why individuals should apply to join the 2022 cohort.
"This experience represents the past, present and future of conservation together in one room all at one time," said Barbara Bleiweis, 2020 cohort member.
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Summer Meeting Photos Available Online
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Photos can be downloaded and utilized by all conservation districts, state and territory associations and meeting attendees.
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NACD Board Convenes For Business Meeting
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On Saturday, July 24, and Sunday, July 25, NACD's Board of Directors met in person for the first time since Feb. 2020 to conduct business and discuss the past, present and future of conservation.
Gary Blair, NACD Secretary-Treasurer, provided an update to the board on the FY 2022 budget, and third quarter financials and membership updates. NACD CEO Jeremy Peters and President Michael Crowder gave reports on the year's progress and presented the 2022 Strategic Plan.
The board also voted and approved the 2021 Annual Meeting minutes and the FY2022 Budget.
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During Saturday's meeting, Noble Research Institute Adult Education Manager Amy Hays (pictured above) provided a presentation on multi-generational communication and how each generation brings different strengths and talents to the conservation table.
"You need to recognize that there's value to different generations in our workforce," she said.
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Sunday's meeting included a 75th Anniversary Partnership Panel (photo above), in which the goals of NACD and its partners were discussed through a Q&A with attendees.
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NCF Opens Applications for the 2022 NGLI Cohort
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During the 2021 NACD Summer Meeting, National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Chair Brent Van Dyke announced the opening of the application period for the 2022 cohort of the Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI).
NGLI, a program of the NCF, will train seven applicants over the course of 2022, with the goal to select one participant from each of the National Association of Conservation Districts’ (NACD) regions.
“On behalf of the NCF, I’m proud to announce the opening of the application period for NGLI’s second cohort,” Van Dyke said. “We look forward to learning more about the nation’s conservation leaders who apply and to selecting the seven participants who will ultimately move both NGLI and conservation as a whole forward.”
During the year-long NGLI program, currently-appointed conservation district officials will be equipped for leadership at the local, state and national level through several in-person trainings focused on personal, civic and organizational leadership development.
“This comprehensive training program has strengthened the skills of our conservation leaders, and we look forward to seeing this engaging model succeed again with the new cohort,” NCF Executive Director Jeremy Peters said.
Applications are due Friday, Sept. 24, 2022.
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