National Association of Conservation Districts

NACD was represented early this week by Second Vice President Earl Garber at a meeting of the U.S. EPA Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC) in Washington, D.C. Garber has served for the past year on the advisory committee, which advises the EPA Administrator on issues related to agriculture and the environment. The Committee just completed its first year of work, which has largely focused on developing advice related to EPA’s biofuels strategy. Pictured from left are NACD Grassroots Manager Jeremy Peters, Garber, U.S. EPA Acting Counselor to the Administrator for Agricultural Policy Sally Shaver and FRRCC Chair and Indiana producer James Moseley.

At the 2009 NACD Annual Meeting in New Orleans, La. earlier this month, NACD leadership, partners, and meeting attendees gathered on Poydras St. in New Orleans to plant a tree in memory of 2007 NACD President Olin Sims. The planting is one of many happening across the country as part of the Olin Sims Living Legacy program, which encourages districts and conservationists to plant a tree to honor his strong leadership and passion for conservation. NACD leadership is pictured below at the New Orleans tree planting with Tammie Sims from Wyoming and Joey Breaux from the Louisiana Conservation Commission. Click here for more information on the Living Legacy program and how you can get involved.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture invited friends and partners to the Department grounds this week to unveil to location of and break ground for the People’s Garden. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed the group, highlighting the need to enhance and conserve land and water resources. He then chipped away at a paved walkway that will be eliminated to create a community garden. NACD joined several conservation and environmental groups at the event. Pictured at left are NACD Chief Executive Officer Krysta Harden, NRCS Acting Chief Dave White, NACD Director of Legislative Affairs Keira Franz and NACD Grassroots Manager Jeremy Peters.

The National Association of Conservation Districts installed a new slate of officers at the Appreciation Banquet of the 2009 NACD Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Leading the association over the next two years will be (l-r) President Steve Robinson from Marysville, Ohio; First Vice President Gene Schmidt from Hanna, Indiana; Second Vice President Earl Garber from Basile, Louisiana and Secretary/Treasurer Jack Majeres from Dell Rapids, South Dakota. Conservation district leaders from across the country joined together for four days of networking, learning and fun at the 2009 conference. For more photos of the conference, click here.

Last week NACD Communications Associate Mary Hammon traveled to Columbus, Ohio for the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation District’s (OFSWCD) annual meeting. On the eve of the national inauguration, Ohio celebrated the inauguration of the new OFSWCD President Lawrence Burdell and the nearing installation of fellow Ohioan Steve Robinson as NACD President. NACD thanks Ohio for their strong leadership and continued support. Hammon is pictured in the photo above with Ohio conservation leaders.

Last week NACD Secretary/Treasurer Gene Schmidt participated in the Louisiana Association of Conservation District’s Annual Meeting in Lafayette, La. Schmidt met with the board, addressed the full group and discussed conservation issues with leaders from state government. Schmidt also thanked the group for their work in preparing for NACD’s Annual Meeting, which will be held in their state next week. He is pictured in the photo above with Louisiana leadership.