Last week, district supervisors, employees and partners met in Ocala, Fla., for the
Association of Florida Conservation Districts' (AFCD) annual meeting from July 11-13.
The first day began with meetings of the AFCD Board, its committees and the Florida Conservation District Employees Association. The day also included training sessions on ethics, records management, partner relations, meeting minutes procedure and ADA compliance. That evening, three talented young orators spoke about the importance of soil health while competing in the State Speech Contest.
During the evening banquet dinner,
AFCD President
Burlin Findley presented several awards. The
Suwannee County Conservation District was recognized as "Most Successful" and the
Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District received the "Up and Coming" award.
Katrina Pace from the
Gilchrist Soil and Water Conservation District received the outstanding employee award. AFCD's
Charlene Meeks and
Kaylee Durrance received the President's award.
The second day of the meeting featured partner updates from NRCS, the Florida Farm Bureau, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Office of Agricultural Water Policy and the Suwannee and Southwest Florida Water Management Districts.
NACD's Second Vice President Kim LaFleur, shared an overview of NACD's work and resources available to districts, and NACD Southeast Region Representative
Candice Abinanti provided updates on the upcoming Southeast Region Meeting and Listening Session on August 10-13, 2019, in Gatlinburg, Tenn.
|
Participants also had a chance to visit the Kimberden hunter/jumper show barn training facility, which is the home of the University of Florida Hunt Seat Equestrian Team. Visitors took a horse-drawn carriage ride and learned about the unique area. Known as the "Horse Capital of the World," Ocala's unique abundance of underground limestone creates nutrient-rich soil and pastures, which are ideal for raising world-renowned racing and competition horses.
|
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR AUGUST RECESS? NACD GUIDE AVAILABLE
|
Each August, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate head back to their districts and states to meet with constituents. There are nearly 100 new Members of Congress who were elected last November, all of whom have a direct say in federal conservation programs and many of whom may not have ever heard of a conservation district.
August represents a unique opportunity to educate Members of Congress on what conservation districts do in their communities and show why support for conservation programs at the federal level is so important.
Kendall Tyree with the Virgina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD) plans to meet with
Rep. Spanberger (D-VA) to discuss the districts' work.
"Since [Rep.] Spanberger is a new member and conservation subcommittee chair, it's doubly important that her [state conservation] districts engage her on their work,"
Dr.
Tyree said. "We look forward to meeting her and building this relationship."
NACD's guide also provides aspects of a successful meeting to consider during planning, as well as strategies for how to reach out to your elected representative.
|
CONSERVATION PLANNING BOOT CAMP UNITES AND INSPIRES
|
In May of 2018,
Teresa Matteson
, the soil health coordinator for Benton Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Oregon attended NRCS's Conservation Planning Boot Camp in Lincoln, Neb., thanks to an agreement between NRCS and NACD.
"Entering a room of 34 classmates, many of whom were less than half my age, was a bit daunting,"
Matteson said.
"During the first week of the course,
Darnell Dunson
, one of my younger classmates, initiated a conversation with me during the morning break. “I knew who you were the minute you walked in the room,”
he said
. I replied that surely Darnell had mistaken me for someone else as I, a 62-year-old Oregonian, could hardly be recognized by this pleasant, approximately 20-year-old man from Indianapolis. The break ended, and the class activities resumed."
"The next day, Darnell approached me again saying, “I knew who you were as soon as I saw you. You are the lady in the soil health video.” Sure enough, that was me! In 2015, the Oregon NRCS created a
video
during its Plant Materials Center’s Cover Crop Field Day. In the video, I demonstrate aggregate stability and talk about water infiltration and storage in healthy soil. The video concludes with me urging others to participate in these practices because soil health pays."
"Darnell explained that he watched the video in 2015 while interning with the NRCS. He really made my day when he mentioned how that video had influenced his decision to pursue a career with NRCS!"
|
"Throughout the three-week Conservation Planning course, friendships with many of my cohorts germinated. It is comforting to know that our country has a network of young, bright, dedicated professionals ready to help people help the land."
"Thank you, NACD, for helping to build a bridge between two soil scientists; one in Corvallis, Ore., and another in Indianapolis, Ind. Soil health pays on many levels!"
Matteson said.
Due to high demand, a final 2019 Conservation Planning Boot Camp session has been added for
Oct. 22 - Nov. 7.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
NRCS Conservation Planning Boot Camp is a three-week, intensive training course for technical employees that covers current conservation planning policy, procedures and guidelines as outlined in the National Planning Procedures Handbook.
|
JULY U&C WEBINAR FOCUSES ON
URBAN SOIL HEALTH
|
The next NACD Urban and Community (U&C) Conservation webinar, scheduled for
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Eastern on
July 18, 2019, will focus on urban soil health.
The soil health initiative of the
Marion County SWCD in Indiana provides technical, financial and educational services to small farmers and gardeners in Indianapolis. The district will share its experiences in implementing the program and take a look at how cover crops, mulching, reduced tillage and accompanying conservation practices are being utilized in Indianapolis urban agriculture.
The
Benton SWCD in Oregon works with the Willamette Valley Regenerative Landscape Coalition, a group of volunteer landscape professionals and scientists, to promote, advocate and provide guidance for landscaping practices that build soil health. Learn how the group’s presentations, workshop sessions and webpage inspire urbanites and local agency staff to adopt regenerative soil management. Recently, the group launched a five-part blog series and their C-Questers campaign to raise awareness of how gardens sequester carbon.
These popular webinars, held on the third Thursday of each month, are sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation in partnership with the NACD Urban and Community Resource Policy Group. There is no cost to participate, but space is limited. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To register, click
here and fill out this online form. If you have difficulty, please contact NACD Senior Advisor
Debra Bogar at
deb-bogar@nacdnet.org with your name, title, district or business name, state and email address. Information to access the webinar will be sent by email.
|
|
RSVP Today:
NACD South Central
Listening Session
|
NACD will host the 2019 South Central Region listening session on
Tuesday, July 23 at 12:00 p.m.
, in Thackerville, Okla.
This session will take place during the 2019 South Central Region Meeting, and is free to all directors and employees. If you will not be attending the South Central Region Meeting, but you will be attending the free listening session, please RSVP to
Sarah Blaney
at
sarahblaney@okconservation.org
.
These member-focused listening sessions give our members the opportunity to learn more about NACD and its services while expressing their views to NACD’s leadership and staff.
|
Montana Seeks
Executive Director
|
The
Montana Association of Conservation Districts
(MACD) is seeking an executive director to be based in Helena, Mont. Depending on the experience and needs of the candidate, the position could be from half-time to a full-time position.
The executive director will be responsible for providing leadership and overall management of the organization, including communication with partners, program management, and the administration and management of daily operations.
The full job description can be found
here
. Completed applications must be submitted to
hiring@macdnet.org
by
Friday, July 26
at
5:00 p.m. Mountain.
|
Submit Your Nomination: CCA Conservationist of the Year Award
|
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) is seeking nominations for its Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Conservationist of the Year Award.
The CCA Conservationist of the Year Award annually recognizes a certified crop adviser who delivers exceptional conservation advice and results, customer service, is highly innovative, has shown that they are a leader in conservation, and has contributed substantially to the exchange of conservation ideas and the transfer of conservation knowledge within the agriculture industry.
The award consists of travel expenses to Washington, D.C., for the award ceremony, a $2,000 stipend, a commemorative plaque and a one-year membership or membership renewal in the American Society of Agronomy.
The deadline to submit nominations is
Thursday, Aug. 15, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. To learn more and submit your nomination, visit ASA's
award webpage.
|
Register Now:
2019 July Monarch Conservation Webinar
|
The Monarch Joint Venture and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS)' National Conservation Training Center will hold
a pollinator-themed webinar on
Tuesday, July 23, at
2:00 p.m., Eastern, as part of the 2019 Monarch Conservation Webinar Series.
The webinar, entitled "
How to plant for success: The trials and triumphs of establishing pollinator habitat," will feature the real-world experiences of farmers establishing pollinator habitat adjacent to their working land.
To learn more and register for this and other upcoming webinars, visit the Monarch Joint Venture's
website.
|
Get It Now:
NACD Marketplace Promotional Hat Package
|
NACD is offering a special promotional hat package in the
NACD Marketplace until
Sept. 1, 2019.
The package will include 12 hats, with your choice of colors and styles and your conservation district’s logo professionally embroidered on the front.
This limited special of $83.88 includes a discount on the headwear, free embroidery, free logo set-up and free shipping. The
Promotional Hat Package must be ordered in multiples of 12. To order, visit
NACD's Marketplace.
To create your custom district logo, please contact NACD Stewardship and Education Coordinator
Diana Blackwood at
diana-blackwood@nacdnet.org.
|
Deadline Approaches: Submit Your NACD Award Nomination Today
|
Honor your conservation leader by sending in a nomination for one of NACD's national conservation awards.
- The NACD Friend of Conservation Award recognizes an individual, business, organization or agency outside the association for outstanding contributions to the conservation of our nation’s natural resources.
- The NACD Distinguished Service Award honors an individual within the association, a conservation district or a state association who has made significant contributions to the conservation and proper management of our nation’s natural resources.
|
Submit Your Proposal: NACD Now Accepting 2020 Annual Meeting Breakout Sessions Applications
|
NACD offers a number of informational breakout sessions during the annual meeting, focusing on the work of districts and their partners across the country. This year, NACD is seeking proposals that fit within three themes:
- District Operations and Partnerships
- Natural Resources Policy and Protection; and
- Stewardship and Outreach
To learn more and submit a proposal, visit NACD's Breakout Sessions
webpage
. If you have any questions, please contact NACD Government Affairs Manager
Eric Hansen
|
Apply Today: NACD Seeks Fall Interns
|
NACD is seeking 2019 fall interns to work full-time in Washington, D.C. Interns will work with NACD’s government affairs and communications staff to advance the association’s legislative agenda. Interns are given projects to enhance their understanding of Congress and the legislative process.
|
Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day or more on NACD's
Calendar of Events!
|
|