Education and Outreach

By Katrina Vaitkus Prince George’s Soil Conservation District (PGSCD) in Maryland is leading the way in educating the next generation of conservation leaders. Since joining the district in 1986 as an engineer, District Manager Steve Darcey has seen the district expand its programs to become more involved with the county’s youth. The district currently participates…… Continue reading →

By Teresa Matteson Thanks to NACD funding, I attended NRCS Conservation Planning Boot Camp in Lincoln, Neb., in May of 2018. Entering a room of 34 classmates, many of whom were less than half my age, was a bit daunting. During the first week of the course, Darnell Dunson, one of my younger classmates, initiated…… Continue reading →

By Gelyan Reyes In 1992, Caribe SCD became the first district in Puerto Rico to ever have a Youth Board. The Youth Board consisted of eight members (five Board Supervisors and three Vocals) and was a self- sufficient and complete team with its own regulations and bylaws. The Caribe SCD Youth Board operated from 1992-2000…… Continue reading →

By Sunni Heikes-Knapton The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) welcomed 10 students from universities across the United States to participate in the 2019 Conservation Careers Workshop at NACD's 73rd Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. This workshop was aimed at introducing college students to the history, trends and…… Continue reading →

[caption id="attachment_30902" align="alignright" width="342"] NRCS Chief Matt Lohr, pictured far right, with competitors.[/caption] Every year in May, nearly 1,000 4-H and FFA students and coaches from over 34 states gather for the National Land and Range Judging Contest. Students test their skills in judging the adaptability of the land for various purposes, including farming, range…… Continue reading →

By Ariel Rivers Across the United States, the high average age (57.5 years) of farmers and ranchers has motivated many conservation districts to support beginning farmers and ranchers in a number of ways as they begin their new operations. In Spokane, Wash., the Spokane Conservation District (SCD), led by director Vicki Carter, is taking an…… Continue reading →

By Sara Kangas Since 1910, Boy Scouts of America – which consists of Cub Scouts (grades K-5); Boy Scouts (beginning at age 10 or who have completed fifth grade) and Venturing (ages 14-21) – has overseen programs for millions of children, training them in responsible citizenship, character development and self-reliance. As part of the tradition…… Continue reading →

By NACD Southeast Region Representative Candice Abinanti Strolling along San Antonio, Texas,’ Historic Downtown River Walk,  it can be easy to overlook the infrastructure that keeps the water in the San Antonio River level. After all, San Antonio has a history with flooding. During the 73rd NACD Annual Meeting, the Association of Texas Soil and Water…… Continue reading →

Note from the editor: This blog is the first of a two-part series. By Laura Demmel A conversation has been brewing for years on the topic of agricultural sustainability. As consumers care more and more about where their food comes from, the entire food and agriculture industry has responded. From the farm level to the…… Continue reading →

By Caitlin Stewart Earlier this fall, the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (HCSWCD) in upstate New York hosted its 38th annual Lynn Galusha Memorial Conservation Field Day to encourage fifth and sixth graders to become the future stewards of our natural resources. The event drew 72 area students from Lake Pleasant, Wells, Long…… Continue reading →