CONTACT: Stephanie Addison, NACD Communications Director
(202) 547-6223; stephanie-addison[at]nacdnet.org

CONTACT: Sara Kangas, NACD Communications Manager
(202) 547-6223; sara-kangas[at]nacdnet.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 5, 2019

NACD LEADERS TAKE OFFICE

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Today, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) elected the organization’s 2019 officer team.

President-elect Tim Palmer of Truro, Iowa, was sworn in as president of the association. Palmer began farming with his dad and has continued to do so for the past 40 years. Palmer and his wife Shelly grow corn, soybeans, oats and hay on their farm in Madison County, in addition to raising beef cattle to market. Palmer has served on the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District’s board since 2003, and has held leadership positions at NACD for more than a decade.

“It’s an honor to take the helm of this great organization,” Palmer said. “With a strong farm bill for conservation in place, I am encouraged by the opportunity to advance the voluntary, locally-led conservation mission. And as president, I look forward to building on our current success while continuing to champion values-based land management principles on behalf of America’s conservation districts.”

Michael Crowder of West Richland, Wash., was elected as First Vice President, and Kim LaFleur of Plympton, Mass., was elected as Second Vice President. NACD’s North Central Region Executive Board Member Ian Cunningham of Pipestone, Minn., was elected to serve as the association’s Secretary-Treasurer. Immediate Past President Brent Van Dyke of Hobbs, N.M., and NACD Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Peters round out the national association’s officer team.

The newest members of the NACD Executive Board are North Central Region Representative Alex Schmidt of Iowa, Northeast Region Representative Linda Brownson of New Hampshire, Southeast Region Representative Gary Blair of Mississippi, Southwest Region Representative Jim Berlier of New Mexico and Pacific Region Representative Tom Wehri of California.

“We have an ambitious, well-rounded leadership team this year,” Palmer said. “From urban settings to the nation’s farmland—I am confident this group has the right people to advance conservation across all landscapes.”

To read recaps of NACD’s 2019 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, visit the 73^rd Annual Meeting webpage.

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About the National Association of Conservation Districts:

The National Association of Conservation Districts is the non-profit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, their state and territory associations, and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For more than 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. For more information about NACD, visit: www.nacdnet.org.