National Association of Conservation Districts

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROBINSON ASSUMES LEADERSHIP OF NACD
AT 63rd ANNUAL MEETING

NEW ORLEANS—February 4, 2009—The National Association of Conservation Districts’ new president is Steve Robinson, a farmer and business operator from Marysville, OH.

Robinson was elected to the two-year post by NACD’s Board of Directors here Tuesday.

“Conservation districts’ role is more important now than ever,” said Robinson. For more than 70 years, districts across the nation have been caring for our natural resources, he said, and though their role continues to grow and change, their mission stays the same. “Today’s environment presents many challenges, but it also provides many opportunities. Conservation districts are ready to step to the plate to build a better future—to make sure to leave the land better than we found it.”

Other officers elected included first vice president Gene Schmidt, a farmer from Hanna, Indiana. “I look forward to continuing to work for conservation districts across the country. I firmly believe it is our responsibility to be good stewards of the land.” Schmidt farms 1,500 acres of seed corn, seed beans, and wheat and operates a retail seed business. Conservation practices in use on Schmidt's farm include minimum till, no-till, cover crops, stream buffers and windbreaks.

Elected second vice president was Earl Garber, a farmer and longtime conservation district official from Basile, Louisiana.

Assuming the post of secretary-treasurer was Jack Majeres of Dell Rapids, South Dakota. Majeres is a longtime conservation district official and producer.

President Robinson thanked conference attendees for their support and encouraged them to prepare for a year of hard work. “We have a lot on our plate this year,” he said. “I look forward to working with all of you to ensure that we speak with a unified voice on behalf of working lands conservation.”

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The National Association of Conservation Districts is the non-profit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts and 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For almost 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. NACD’s website is at www.nacdnet.org.