Walt Douglas to Retire

The current South Carolina NRCS State Conservationist since May 2000, Walt Douglas began his career with the agency as a soil conservationist in New Hampshire.  He has a B.S. in Agricultural Technology and Education from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida, and completed graduate work at the University of New Hampshire and Purdue University.  Positions with NRCS also included district conservationist, soil survey party leader, RC&D coordinator, and area conservationist in Indiana.  He first came to South Carolina in 1995 to serve as leader of the Southeast Coastal States Regional Wetlands Team.

Douglas was instrumental in the development of the NRCS Small Farmer Initiative (spearheaded in South Carolina as a pilot program in 2004).  Douglas has served as President of the New Hampshire, Indiana, and South Carolina Chapters of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) and was a member of the Executive Board of SWCS as well.  He holds membership in several other organizations, including the, National Organization of Professional Black NRCS Employees, USDA’s Organization of Professional Employees, and is a 25-year member of Kiwanis International.

In 2006, former NRCS Chief Bruce Knight presented Douglas with a Circle of Excellence award for his work with the Chief’s Advisory Council.  Former Chief Knight established the NRCS Circle of Excellence award in 2005 to recognize NRCS employees who epitomize support and loyalty to the agency and the mission -- the values and the ideals supported by all conservationists.  Douglas became the first NRCS employee to receive this honor twice when NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster presented Douglas with the award in Washington, DC, this month.

Douglas and his wife Richie live in Columbia, South Carolina.  In his spare time, Douglas enjoys fishing, golf, and travel.
Your contact is Fred Jacobs, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 202-720-4772.