Tuesday morning’s General Session of the 2022 NACD Annual Meeting featured a variety of conservation and natural resources experts. Presided over by Second Vice President Ian Cunningham, speakers included private and federal partners important to the conservation movement in addition to a panel discussion concerning water quality and conservation.

Agriculture Future of America (AFA) President and CEO Mark Stewart spoke with the audience about the importance of training college students and the next generation to be leaders in the agriculture and conservation fields particularly through the newly established AFA + NACD Sustainability Institute. 

Addressing the recurring theme of the event of partnerships and collaboration, Sand County Foundation Vice President of Agricultural Research and Conservation Heidi Peterson highlighted the newly signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between NACD and the Sand County Foundation. This partnership will help both organizations to collaborate on program outreach and conservation initiatives, including Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award program and the Land Ethic Mentorship for historically underserved farmers and ranchers.

The General Session hosted a panel discussion surrounding water quality and quantity concerns moderated by National Association Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) President Spencer Chase. Panelists included Adam Herges with Mosaic Company, Deirdre Irwin with the St. John’s River Water Management District, and Christopher Pettit with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Each shared their unique experiences, perspectives, and optimism related to ongoing partnerships and collaborations to address conservation concerns within the water quality conversation.

NACD was joined by Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning, who expressed the importance of everyone shouldering the responsibility of take care of our land. 

The General Session keynote was given by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Terry Cosby, who provided a federal update related to conservation and agriculture, particularly related to the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities newly announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

"We're better together than we are apart," said Chief Cosby.

Rounding out the event was the presentation of the Earth Team Award, which is presented annually to those who volunteer their time, resources, and energy to protect and improve the quality of natural resources. This year’s Earth Team Award winner was Montgomery Soil Conservation District from Derwood, MD.

Watch the recording of the full session here.

During NACD's Appreciation Banquet, Kim LaFleur was sworn in as the Association's President-Elect. LaFleur, of Plympton, MA. LaFleur was elected by the NACD Board of Directors earlier that day.

“I have served NACD for 15 years and I am grateful for the opportunity to take the helm and move the organization and its mission forward in new innovative ways,” said LaFleur.

LaFleur will serve a one-year term as President-Elect alongside current NACD President Michael Crowder, and will assume the role of NACD President in 2023.

Read more in NACD's newsroom.

Last night, NACD recognized winners of its national serves awards at the association's annual Appreciation Banquet.

NACD President Michael Crowder, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservationist for the Southeast James Tillman, and National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) President Spencer Chase presented the Hugh Hammond Bennett (HHB) Conservation Planner Award, HHB Conservation Producer Award, Olin Sims Award, National Conservation Districts Employee Association Awards, Friend of Conservation Award, Distinguished Service Award, and President’s Award to recipients during the meeting’s closing event.

The HHB Conservation Planner Award was presented to Ling He of Livermore, CA. The HHB Conservation Producer Award was presented to Guy Choiniere of Choiniere Family Farm in St. Albans, VT.

The Olin Sims Award was presented to Bryce Wrigley of Delta Junction, AK. The Friends of Conservation Award was presented to Robbie Faust of Bellflower Farms in Dawson, GA. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Hans Lawaetz of St. Croix, USVI.

The President’s Award, given yearly by NACD’s President to an individual or organization that has been especially dedicated to advancing conservation during the president’s term, was given to Kim LaFleur, NACD President-Elect from Plympton, MA.

View the full press release in NACD's newsroom.

Check out the Conservation Symposia in Palm 3 and 5!

Additional information can be found on NACD's Annual Meeting agenda or on the Sched App.

NACD's offices will be closed next Monday, February 21, for Presidents' Day.

NACD announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Sand County Foundation during the organization’s 76th Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL.

The MOU between NACD and Sand County Foundation memorializes an agreement between the organizations to collaborate on program outreach and conservation initiatives such as Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award program and Land Ethic Mentorship for historically underserved farmers and ranchers.

Read more in NACD's newsroom.

The inaugural AFA+NACD Sustainability Institute was held February 13-15 at NACD's Annual Meeting.

The Institute welcomed 48 undergraduate college students for an immersive experience showcasing career paths in conservation, agriculture, and natural resources management. 

NACD is excited to continue this partnership at future Annual Meetings!

Don't miss the new mobile Annual Meeting app hosted by Sched! The app allows you to see the full event schedule, session descriptions, speaker profiles, and more. After you've set up a public profile, you will be able to create a personalized schedule and you can message and network with other attendees right from the app.

To download it, you can scan or click the QR code, or download the Sched app (Apple) (Android) and search NACD to join the event.

Have you been taking photos during the 2022 NACD Annual Meeting? We want to see them!

Email them to us at nacdnews@nacdnet.org, tag us at @NACDConserve, or use #NACD2022 on social media to submit your photos to our Smiling Faces Reel. Some photos will be displayed during Tuesday evening's Appreciation Banquet!

Check out all of our photos from the week here.