Yesterday's closing general session of NACD’s 2025 Annual Meeting featured a variety of natural resource conservation leaders. The session was presided over by Immediate Past President Kim LaFleur.

The first speaker of the morning was Utah Department of Agriculture Commissioner Craig Buttars, who spoke about agriculture, conservation, and partnerships in Utah. Also from our host state, the Great Salt Lake Sentinel Landscape Director Marisa Weinberg spoke about the newly designated Sentinel Landscape, one of 17 across the country where conservation, working lands, and national defense interests converge. 

The new President of Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, spoke about Field to Market’s work uniting the supply chain to deliver sustainable outcomes for agriculture and the organization’s future.

“It will take collective action to tackle the most pressing challenges facing agriculture, society, and the planet,” said Vollmer-Sanders.

Next, NRCS Acting Chief Louis Aspey spoke to the NRCS’s commitment to providing services to producers and conservation districts across the country, working together as a partnership to stay dedicated to our roots in locally led conservation.

"While many of us are outside of our comfort zones, we must rise above the turbulence, look out ahead, and lead in continuing the nearly 90 years of voluntary, science-based, incentive-driven, and locally led conservation," said Acting Chief Aspey.

The general session came to a close with an update from NACD CEO Jeremy Peters and NACD’s newly elected President Gary Blair’s first presidential address, where he spoke about his goals and aspirations for NACD during his term.

"Conservation flows through the strength of our strategic plan," said Blair. "We have to remain focused on our mission. Hope is in our partnership."

ATTENDEES ENJOY BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Three breakout sessions yesterday morning discussed new partnerships, collaboration, and outreach avenues.

The Dubuque County Soil and Water Conservation District presented their collaborative projects with the Sand County Foundation and growers in Iowa, using Field to Market’s tools and programs, including a Fieldprint Calculator, to measure and advance the environmental impacts of conservation practices on agricultural land.

The Kansas Association of Conservation Districts shared how they leverage social media advertisements to increase local event attendance and cost-share applications.

The Indiana County Conservation District talked about how they capitalize on non-traditional partnerships for their Growing for Good Health Initiative, which inspires and empowers older adults to prioritize nutrition and health through the benefits of growing and consuming fresh produce.

These breakout sessions and others hosted throughout the meeting helped district professionals share their challenges, successes, and learning experiences with others to inspire ideas for their own communities.

EXPLORING UTAH WITH CONSERVATION TOURS

NACD’s 79^th Annual Meeting came to a close with three local tours of the Great Salt Lake, Summit County, and urban agriculture.

The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. The lake contributes to local industries, moderates the climate, and plays a key role in the region’s water cycle. The Great Salt Lake Tour visited the Eccles Wildlife Education Center, where attendees learned about the lake’s diverse ecosystems and the migratory birds that depend on them. They also visited Antelope Island State Park, home to free-ranging bison, pronghorn, and stunning panoramic views of the lake.

The Summit County tour showcased diverse attractions of Kimball Junction and Midway in Utah’s Wasatch Back region. The tour included a visit to the Kohler Creamery to explore their innovative automated milking system and enjoy an award-winning cheese tasting. The next stop on the tour dove into the history of winter sports at the Alf Engen Ski Museum in Utah Olympic Park, where they learned about skiing, ski jumping, and snowboarding through interactive exhibits on snow science and weather patterns.

Once a major agricultural hub, Salt Lake County has transformed significantly due to urbanization. The tour showcased how two farms are advancing urban agriculture and sustainability through creative solutions and community engagement. The tour stopped at Wasatch Community Gardens, where urban spaces are transformed into vibrant green areas promoting local food production, education, and community engagement, and Wheeler Farm, a historic working farm with an activity barn, historic outbuildings, agritourism, and opportunities to sample local food.