2018 Annual Meeting Resources Now Available!

NACD's 72nd Annual Meeting in Nashville was a huge success thanks to the more than 1,000 conservation leaders in attendance. If you attended our meeting in Music City, please fill out this brief 10-question evaluation.

For meeting recaps, materials and resources, visit our 2018 Annual Meeting resources webpage. There you'll find links to our photo gallery, press releases, promotional videos and PowerPoint presentations. You can also search #NACDinNashville2018 on NACD's social channels for additional photos and stories.

NACD CHOOSES NEXT PRESIDENT-ELECT

Last week, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) swore in First Vice President Tim Palmer as the next president-elect at the member organization’s 72nd Annual Meeting Appreciation Banquet in Nashville, Tenn.

The NACD Board of Directors elected Palmer of Truro, Iowa, to serve as the organization’s next president-elect where he will serve a one-year term alongside President Brent Van Dyke. Prior to serving as an officer for NACD, Palmer was elected to represent the North Central Region on NACD’s executive board where he served for four years.

“I am honored to continue serving NACD in this new capacity,” said President-elect Tim Palmer. “As a farmer, I recognize the value conservation has to not only the American economy, but to people around the world. Those who make their living off the land understand better than anyone the significant role locally-led conservation plays in preserving our nation’s natural resources. I am passionate about this field, and I am both honored and excited to continue being a national voice for local conservation districts.”

View the full text of the press release here.

NACD ANNOUNCES CONSERVATION AWARD WINNERS

Last week, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) honored conservation leaders from across the country during the organization’s 72nd Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

• Hugh Hammond Bennett Excellence in Conservation Award: Dorn Cox, Lee, N.H.
• Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award: Kris Swartz, Perrysburg, Ohio
• Friend of Conservation Award: Case IH and Patricia Lardie, Poynette, Wis.
• Distinguished Service Award: Ken Leiting, Rio Ranch, N.M.
• President's Award: Debbie Hughes, Carlsbad, N.M.
• Earth Team Award: Monroe County SWCD, Ind.

For more information on NACD's annual awards, visit the NACD Awards webpage. View the full text of the press release here.

NACD ATTENDEES ENJOY LINEUP OF TALENTED SPEAKERS

Last month, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) kicked off its 2018 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

Monday’s Opening General Session featured a Tennessee welcome address from Davidson County Soil Conservation District Board Member Bob Strasser, Jr. and Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton as well as an inspirational keynote address by country singer Shea Fisher and her husband, rodeo champion Tyson Durfey.

“As a rancher and rodeo athlete, I learned the value of taking care of our land to feed our family as well as the nation,” said Tyson Durfey. “Farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists of this great country, and if we prioritize taking proper care of the land, it will continue to be the backbone of the American economy.”

Later that afternoon, CNN’s 2013 Hero of the Year and the founder and president of Living Lands and Waters Chad Pregracke provided the keynote address at the Leadership Luncheon.

“Growing up on the Mississippi River and playing in its backwaters is where my passion for conservation began,” said Chad Pregracke. “I experienced firsthand how poorly our greatest river was being treated, and the effects the pollution was having on the environment. That’s why I dedicated my life to cleaning up the Mississippi River. It’s my mission to help others understand how important it is to preserve our natural resources for generations to come.”

Tuesday’s General Session featured a welcome address from Tennessee State FFA President Julia Knaggs. Knaggs attended Station Camp High School in Gallatin, Tenn., and is a freshman at University of Tennessee at Martin.

View the full text of the press release here.

NACD ANNOUNCES 2017 POSTER, PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

Last week, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced the 2017 poster and photo contests winners at the organization’s 72nd Annual Meeting. Each year, the NACD and NACD Auxiliary photo and poster contests give students and adults the opportunity to display their artistic talents on a national stage.

Winning photos and posters for 2017 can be found on Flickr: NACD’s 2017 national photo contest and 2017 NACD poster contest.

View the full text of the press release here.

NACD RELEASES PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS

NACD has created a series of videos to showcase all the resources conservation districts provide to people across the country.

In these videos, we hear from NACD leadership and membership on the impacts conservation districts have in their communities. NACD's mission is to promote the wise and responsible use of natural resources for all lands by representing locally-led conservation districts and their associations through grassroots advocacy, education and partnerships. Our districts work with millions of cooperating landowners and operators to help them manage and protect land and water resources on all private lands and many public lands in the United States.