On Nov. 16, 2021, Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture honored the recipients of the 2021 Sustainability Leadership Awards. Leslie Fisher, Resource Conservation Specialist for the Benton County Soil and Water Conservation District was announced as the 2021 Trusted Adviser of the Year.
Providing valuable counsel to Indiana farmers and leading the district, Fisher champions community-wide solutions which enhance farmer livelihoods while making essential contributions to landscape-level sustainability outcomes across the state. She also connects brands, retailers and agribusinesses to the local farmer community, empowering them to build greater trust and demonstrate the sustainability of their supply chains.
“Fisher works directly with producers, along with agronomists and crop advisers, to engage farmers in soil health and nutrient management practices and connect them to resources that support growers in advancing watershed restoration efforts,” NACD President Michael Crowder said. “She is a true pioneer of conservation.”
Read the full press release here.
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ICYMI: NACD'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY NEWSLETTER |
As NACD celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year, we are releasing a special monthly newsletter highlighting conservation districts' successes over the years.
Entitled "Diamonds Out of the Dust: 75 Years of Conservation District Success Stories," this monthly newsletter features stories submitted by conservation districts and state/territory associations across the nation.
In the November edition, we highlighted a grassroots campaign by the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) to secure base funding for districts for the first time in 12 years, Baltimore County Soil Conservation District (BCSCD)'s water quality improvement projects, Natrona County Conservation District (NCCD)'s river restoration efforts and more.
You'll also hear from Gene Schmidt, an NACD Past President. He shares his journey with NACD and the knowledge he gained from working with local conservation districts.
Learn more about our 75th Anniversary campaign and view all past newsletters here. To be featured in the newsletter, share your district's success story by submitting this online form. |
NACD CLIMATE ACTION TASK FORCE MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN NWC VIRTUAL CONFERENCE |
The National Watershed Coalition (NWC) held their 2021 virtual meeting on November 16-17, 2021. The NWC is a nonprofit coalition made up of national, regional, state and local organizations, associations and individuals that advocate dealing with natural resource problems and issues using watersheds as the planning and implementation unit.
“The agenda included fresh Watershed Program perspectives, USDA-NRCS Watershed Program information, important national watershed legislative and funding forecasts, climate and conservation updates and examples of program implementation from several regions across the country.” said Dan Sebert, NWC Executive Director.
The NWC virtual conference also featured a panel on climate action relating to watershed programs. The panel members were NACD President Michael Crowder, NACD Climate Action Task Force Chair Tim Palmer and NACD Climate Action Task Force members Cindy Lair and Jimmy Emmons. The Panel was moderated by Lisa Knauf Owen, Chair of the NWC.
The NWC represents the concerns and needs of watershed project sponsors at the national level and publishes a monthly electronic newsletter, the Watershed e-News. For more information on the NWC go to https://watershedcoalition.org/. The complete 2021 NWC virtual conference can also be viewed on the NWC YouTube channel. |
NACD ATTENDS THE AFA LEADERS CONFERENCE |
NACD staff recently attended the Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Leaders Conference in Kansas City, M0., November 11-12, 2021.
Aubrey Evans, NACD Northern Plains Representative, and Keith Owen, NACD Director of Education, talked to the collegiate attendees about careers within the National Conservation Planning Partnership and internship opportunities with NACD during the AFA Opportunity Fair.
AFA works to build bridges for young leaders to foster engagement and innovation in food and agriculture and foster professionalism, intellectualism and entrepreneurialism through experiential opportunities. AFA is the leading partner for the 2022 AFA+NACD Sustainability Institute which will run concurrently with the 2022 NACD Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla., next February.
During the AFA Leaders Conference, NACD staff also participated in round table discussions on careers in agriculture conservation and engaged participants in problem solving exercises during a “Solutions You Care About” session.
The AFA+NACD Sustainability Institute is an opportunity for current college undergraduates to explore what sustainability in agriculture is and how companies and agencies are working towards sustainable products. For more information on the 2022 AFA+NACD Sustainability Institute, see here. |
SOUTH DAKOTA DISTRCITS POOL RESOURCES TO ADDRESS EAB |
Kingsbury Conservation District recently was awarded funding from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), Resource Conservation and Forestry Division for an urban forestry project to address the emerald ash borer (EAB).
The insect was confirmed in the southeastern portion of the state in two counties in 2020, killing green ash in boulevards, parks and other public areas. The state is working to get ready for EAB by talking to communities, slowly removing the green ash, and replanting other species of trees.
The Kingsbury funds, received through the Coordinated Natural Resources Conservation Grant Fund, go toward community forestry projects to assist with tree inventories, replacement of ash trees to become prepared for loss due to emerald ash borer, developing community forestry action plans, and providing educational outreach.
Though Kingsbury wrote the grant, neighboring Miner County Conservation District also was able to utilize some of the funding for similar projects.
“We do a lot of projects together because our counties are adjoining and we have very similar communities, soils and conservation practices” Miner Conservation District Manager Tami Moore said. “Our conservation districts promote planting new species of trees to replace green ash that will eventually be affected by the EAB. Emerald ash borer will affect our green ash, maybe next year or maybe 20 years from now.”
Kingsbury and neighboring Minnehaha County also have combined efforts in the past.
“It is the role of conservation districts to bring the resources together - whether they be technical, financial, volunteer - to address the common concerns of the local people,” South Dakota State Association of Conservation Districts (SDACD) Executive Director Angela Ehlers said. “It's especially encouraging to see what partnership efforts of conservation districts such as Kingsbury, Miner and Minnehaha have initiated to tackle their urban forestry needs. Whether it be our state's largest community (Sioux Falls) or the town of Bancroft with a population of 19, each deserves their forest resources to be healthy and productive."
As a rural area – the largest municipality has a population of about 800 - Miner County also has written grants and been awarded funding by DANR for other forestry-related projects including planting landscape trees near a football field as a kind of windbreak. Miner Conservation District planted a community tree belt to protect the town from the lagoon odors through a Governor’s Tree Planting Grant. They currently have multiple grants for planting trees at the campgrounds, in the communities and at the lake in the county.
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NACD's Offices Closed for Thanksgiving |
NACD's offices will be closed this Thursday, Nov. 25, in celebration of Thanksgiving Day.
We want to thank all the conservation districts who help support landowners in delivering locally-led conservation every single day of the year. We also cannot fully celebrate Thanksgiving without recognizing all the hard work of America’s farmers, ranchers and producers in bringing food to our tables. Thank you on behalf of all of us at NACD!
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Deadline Approaching for Friends of NACD District Grant Applications |
Eligible conservation districts still have time to apply for a Friends of NACD District Grant. Eight conservation districts will receive up to $2,500 to support new and innovative program activities.
Conservation districts may view the complete request for proposals (RFP) on the Friends of NACD District Grants webpage, and apply through the online application form by 11:59 p.m., local time on Nov. 30, 2021. Awards will be announced at NACD’s 2022 Annual Meeting.
The Friends of NACD District Grant program is made possible by the contributions individuals and organizations make to the Friends of NACD program.
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2021 NACD Forestry RPG Webinar
Series Recordings Now Available
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Each 60-minute session featured multiple presenters and a Q&A with attendees. The first session was titled 'Fighting Forest Invasives' and the second session was 'Forest Carbon Programs to Assist Private Landowners.'
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Register for NACD's 2022 Annual Meeting |
NACD's 76th Annual Meeting will be held in Orlando, Fla., from Feb. 12-16, 2022, at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista at Disney Springs Resort.
Conference registration is now open and includes entry into the Conservation Expo, NACD General and Concurrent Sessions, Monday’s Leadership Lunch and Live Auction, and NACD Training Sessions and Workshops. Early bird registration for the discounted price of $470 is open from now until Dec. 16, 2021.
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Calling for NACD’s District Officials State Training Recognition Program Applications |
The program recognizes states and territories that have developed and implemented a district officials training program. To qualify, a district officials training program must include 50 percent or more of the elements in all 15 categories identified by NACD and the National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA).
For states that have been recognized previously, you are required to re-submit a checklist every two years for recognition.
To apply, visit this web page. Recognition will take place during the 2022 NACD Annual Meeting.
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Calling for NACD Hall of Distinction Nominations |
NACD is currently seeking nominations for its Hall of Distinction!
Through NACD’s Hall of Distinction, state and territory associations can recognize current and past conservation leaders for their extraordinary work to advance conservation at the national level.
States and territories may induct one person to the Hall of Distinction every year. Inductees are reviewed by the District Operations and Member Services Committee.
To make an induction, state and territory associations are asked to send NACD information via this online form by Dec. 12. Learn more about the Hall of Distinction, including eligibility criteria, here. |
Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day or more on NACD's Calendar of Events!
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