Hall of Distinction
NACD created the Hall of Distinction to recognize and honor our organization's current and past leaders. District officials - past and present - featured in NACD's Hall of Distinction have made major contributions to our nation's Conservation Movement.
The National Association of Conservation Districts was established over 70 years ago in 1946 by a group of forward-thinking conservation district officials from across the country. These leaders recognized the need for a unified voice in natural resource conservation and worked tirelessly to ensure that conservation remained at the forefront of United States agricultural and environmental policy.
The success of NACD throughout the last seven decades is attributable to the diligent work of our supporters – from conservationists to early-adopter producers, to district officials and national conservation leaders. NACD is delighted to announce that its Hall of Distinction will recognize and honor past and present district official leaders who have helped pave the way for NACD’s accomplishments. Dennis Fowler Getchell of Limestone, Maine, served on the Board of Supervisors for Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District (CASWCD) in Maine from 1942 to 1951, and as chairman of CASWCD for eight of those years. During that time, Mr. Getchell was instrumental in organizing the Maine Association of Soil Conservation District Supervisors and served as its first president. In addition, he assisted other states within the region seeking to organize state associations. In 1946, Dennis F. Getchell was one of the dedicated SWCD leaders… Clarence Durban served the Union Soil and Water Conservation District in Ohio for nearly three decades from 1961 to 1987. He was president of the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts from 1975 to 1976 and president of NACD from 1985 to 1988. Before he passed away in 2014, Clarence farmed in southern Union County, Ohio, and was inducted into the state’s Agriculture Hall of Fame. In the early 1980s, he met with President Ronald Reagan to discuss the farm bill. Throughout Clarence’s long career in conservation, he worked tirelessly to represent the interests of Ohio’s conservation districts and NACD across the United States and abroad. He provided tremendous leadership… James Bellamy of Shallotte, North Carolina was elected to the Brunswick Soil and Water Conservation District Board in 1948. He served for over 49 years with 34 of those years as Chair until his passing in 1998. He enjoyed spending time working on his farm and implementing conservation practices that provided excellent wildlife habitat. He was also very active with Brunswick County Farm Bureau as well as Shallotte Lions Club. James was a leader from the moment he became a soil and water district board member. In 1964, he was elected as the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts President. In 1965, he was then elected as Chairman of the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Chair of the NCASWCD Legislative Committee and a Council Member of NACD. He was instrumental in the implementation in the passing of Legislation to… Don Spickler would be the picture you see when you look up the definition of service. Don was active with districts on the local, state and national level for over 42 years. Don began serving on his local board in 1971 and maintained that service until 2013, when failing health demanded his retirement. While serving the Washington County Soil Conservation District he held… Widely known in the region as a successful owner of a large agribusiness company, farmer, and community leader, Miles also served as chairman of Daviess County Conservation District. In addition to serving on numerous agricultural and conservation organizations’ boards, Miles was a member of the University of Kentucky Board Trustees and Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom (1996-2003). Miles also served in numerous leadership roles, as director of the National Fertilizer Association Executive Committee, director of the Kentucky Environmental Protective Association in the Classroom, president of the Kentucky Fertilizer and Agricultural Chemical Association, secretary of Kentucky Natures Preserves, secretary of the Kentucky Soybean Association, director of the U.S. Canola Association, director of Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, Tenn., and chairman of the National Fertilizer Association (TFI). Miles also provided his knowledge and leadership as a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Agriculture, the Governor’s Task Force on Efficiency, and as… Wade Troutman epitomizes selfless dedication to the sustainability of our natural resources. He has quietly left a lasting impact on conservation throughout Washington State. Troutman has served on the Foster Creek Conservation District (CD) board of supervisors since 1982 (37 years, and counting). He has lived in Douglas County all his life and resides in the house in which he grew up. Troutman has carried on the conservation legacy of his father, Tex L. Troutman, who is recognized in the Leaving A Legacy memorial book of the Washington Conservation Society. Troutman has not confined himself to district service. He has served on the board and as president (2001-03) of the Washington Association of Conservation Districts (WACD); as well as WACD National Director (2010-14). Wade has been actively involved with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) in several roles: Executive… Mark’s service and contributions span local, state, and national conservation. His volunteer leadership in chairing the Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District for multiple decades—36 continuous years of service—has impacted the local area through identifying and addressing natural resource priorities, highlighting and assisting with resource concerns unique to the region, as well as supporting education and outreach to inform local landowners of services available,… John Peterson has a distinguished career in soil and water conservation. He was a professional with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Soil Conservation Service, now Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and currently serves as a locally-elected director on the board of the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Fairfax County, Virginia. John’s work and contributions to conservation are impossible to summarize briefly. He served for years as Virginia’s representative to the NACD Board of Directors, where he actively participated on the Legislative Committee, Farm Bill Task Force and Farm Bill Work Group, and the Urban and Community Resource Policy Group. John’s proximity to Washington, D.C. makes him an easy partner to work with NACD in various roles. His work with other partner organizations such as the Land Improvement Contractor’s Association, National Watershed Coalition and International… John Redding’s foundation as a leader and advocate of conservation started at Clay County High School as a Future Farmers of America (FFA) member. After high school, John attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and received an associate in science degree. He then continued his education at the University of Georgia where he received his bachelor’s and ultimately a master’s degree in education. John’s teaching career began at Monroe Area High School, where he was a vocational agriculture teacher for six years. It was also during this time that he became acquainted with Julian E. Brown, a district conservationist with the organization that is now known as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). Mr. Brown encouraged John to become involved in local conservation issues. Ultimately, their partnership led to the creation of the Julian E. Brown Study Area at Mathews Park in Monroe, GA. After his work as an educator, John began a career as an agent with the Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company. He held… Charles A. Holmes was born September 17, 1951, in Demopolis, Alabama. A graduate of the Marion Military Institute, he also attended Auburn University where he studied agricultural economics and participated in a summer exchange program at Christ Church College in Oxford, England studying British-American history, religion and British architecture. Charles is owner of Holmestead Company, a purebred homed Hereford and Brahman cross cow-calf, stocker, and timber operation. This land was homesteaded in 1819 by Charles’ great great-grandfather, William Moore. The family farm, along with its historical and agricultural buildings are open as a teaching property and are on the National Register of Historic Places. He a founder… Donald L. Wells has made his career in the field of conservation, serving various federal and state agencies with distinction. Throughout his career he has developed individual, agency, and corporate relationships across the Commonwealth of Virginia and the country. Don devotes much time and energy to the cause of conservation through his service as an elected official of the Hanover-Caroline Soil and Water Conservation District in Virginia. That service has expanded into a deep commitment to the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD) where he currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer. Earlier in his career, Don worked with NACD as a water quality specialist, assisting state associations with water quality issues and representing NACD with other organizations on water issues. For three decades Don served as… Robert (Bob) and Mary Gab’s private and public life epitomized their concern and love for our natural resources. It is impossible to separate the accomplishments of one from the other because they worked as a team, one totally supporting the other. Between them, they held almost every conceivable office in the conservation district movement. Bob… Kevin Jeffries has dedicated over four decades to environmental stewardship, leadership, and agriculture, creating lasting a legacy in Kentucky and the beyond. For 39 years, he served as an elected Soil & Water District Supervisor for the Oldham County Conservation District (1983-2022), including multiple years as its chair. His influence extended statewide as the President of the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts from 2004 to 2008, where he represented all 121 districts across Kentucky. A steadfast advocate for sustainable water management, Kevin was appointed by the Governor to key roles on the Kentucky Ag Water Quality Authority Board and the Water Resources Board. He also served on the Kentucky Farm Bureau Water Management Working Group, shaping policies that protect and conserve Kentucky’s natural resources. Kevin’s leadership didn’t stop there. From 2007 to 2022, he was…
Dennis Getchell of Maine
Clarence Durban of Ohio
James D. Bellamy of North Carolina
Don Spickler of Maryland
Billy Joe Miles of Kentucky
Wade Troutman of Washington
Mark Hedrich of Maine
John Peterson of Virginia
John Redding of Georgia
Charles Holmes of Alabama
Donald Wells of Virginia
Robert and Mary Gab
Kevin Jeffries
Here’s how you, or someone you admire, can receive the honor:
- Individuals are inducted to the Hall of Distinction on an annual basis by their state or territory.
- Every state and territory may induct one person to the Hall of Distinction every year. Inductees are reviewed by the District Operations and Member Services Committee.
- In making their inductions, states and territories are asked to send the following information to NACD via this short form:
– The name of the state or territory making the induction;
– The name of the conservation district where the inductee served or serves as an official;
– The dates during which the inductee made a significant contribution to conservation at the national level and/or served NACD;
– A photo of the nominee to be featured on NACD’s website; and
– A brief narrative statement that clearly and concisely describes the significant contributions made by the individual, including any results or benefits achieved. - Inductees must be received 60 days before NACD’s Annual Meeting to be recognized.
Keep in mind:
- Inductees must currently serve, or have formerly served, as a conservation district official.
- Inductees must also have made significant contributions to conservation efforts at the national level while a district official. Significant contributions may include supporting national conservation efforts as a leader within NACD.
- Those who have been employed by a conservation district, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a state conservation agency, a state association of conservation districts, NACD, or an affiliate of NACD but have never served as a conservation district official are not eligible for this recognition.