During Monday's Opening General Session, attendees heard from Chef and Owner of ThinkFoodGroup
José Andrés
, who participated in a fireside chat with National Association of Farm Broadcasting President
Rita Frazer
(pictured above).
"Boots on the ground make it happen,"
Andrés said
. He also discussed the importance of locally-grown food and the vital partnerships between producers and distributors.
"Keep producing today, but prepare for a better tomorrow,"
he said
.
Named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” in both 2012 and 2018, and awarded “Outstanding Chef” and “Humanitarian of the Year” by the James Beard Foundation, Andrés is an internationally-recognized culinary innovator, New York Times best-selling author, educator, television personality, and humanitarian.
In 2010, Andrés formed World Central Kitchen, a non-profit that provides smart solutions to end hunger and poverty by using the power of food to empower communities and strengthen economies. During the General Session, Frazer and Andrés spoke to these themes, as well as the importance of pollinators, native plants and locally-sourced produce.
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NACD ANNOUNCES URBAN CONSERVATION GRANTS FOR 21 CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
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During Monday's Opening General Session, NACD announced $1 million in urban agriculture conservation funding for 21 conservation districts across 13 states.
Now in its fourth round of funding, NACD and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) first partnered through the Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Initiative in 2016 to support technical assistance activities in developed or developing areas.
NACD and NRCS have issued grants in 2016, 2017 and 2019, and including yesterday’s announcement, have awarded more than $5 million in funding for 102 grants across 34 states. This round of funding marks the first year where previous grant recipients were eligible to apply for funding for new projects.
“Conservation districts are at the forefront of urban natural resources projects, educating our communities and helping to expand their access to clean water and fresh produce,”
NACD President Tim Palmer said
. “The projects we’re announcing today will help conservation districts continue to expand their urban impact, growing their technical capacity at the same time as they grow their reach.”
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NACD ANNOUNCES DISTRICT GRANT RECIPIENTS AT MONDAY'S LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON
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During Monday's Leadership Luncheon, NACD Second Vice President
Kim LaFleur
announced the recipients of the inaugural Friends of NACD District Grants program.
The Friends of NACD District Grants program is a new initiative of the NACD District Operations and Member Services Committee, of which LaFleur is the chairwoman. The program enables funds raised through individual donations in support of locally-led conservation to fund four conservation district projects of up to $2,500 each.
“Conservation districts work with a variety of customers on a daily basis to deliver solutions across a wide range of landscapes,”
LaFleur said
. “Every dollar we put in the hands of conservation districts helps to deliver more conservation practices on the ground and in local communities.”
The inaugural recipients of the Friends of NACD District Grants program are the
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District
in Columbia, S.C., the
Sierra Soil and Water Conservation District
in Truth or Consequences, N.M., the
Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District
in Tiverton, R.I., and the
Butte Soil and Water Conservation District
in Arco, Idaho.
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- Tuesday morning's General Session begins at 8:45 a.m. in the Gold/Platinum room.
- Today's breakout sessions will go from 1:30-3:00 p.m. and 3:30-5:00 p.m. Be sure to check out the program for descriptions on each session.
- Tonight's Appreciation Banquet begins with a reception at 6:00 p.m. in the Grand Salon, sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation.
- The awards banquet, sponsored by Case IH, will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Gold/Platinum room and will feature a thrilling performance by Bally's master illusionist Xavier Mortimer. Tickets are available for purchase at the registration desk.
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Talley Highlights Imagination and Collaboration At Leadership Luncheon
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During Monday's Leadership Luncheon, Environmental Philosopher
Jared Talley
(pictured above) discussed the importance of imagination and collaboration when it comes to creating discussion around conservation.
“We need to learn how to tell our stories in order for collaboration to work,"
Talley said
. "Engage with people in their environment.”
With Talley's work focusing on environmental governance and the philosophy of the imagination and technology, he reminded luncheon attendees that interacting with nature, such as conducting field tours and going on site visits is crucial to collaboration.
Talley is currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Philosophy at Michigan State University and an affiliate of Boise State University, where he is finishing his dissertation.
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NCF Live Auction Successfully Raises Funds for Future Conservation Leaders
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Thanks to the generous donations from conservation districts, state associations, corporate partners, organizations and individuals like you, last night's National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Live Auction was a huge success!
This year's funds will go toward NCF in supporting NACD's sister organization's work in identifying and advancing the next generation of conservation leaders through the Next Generation Leadership Institute, the international NCF-Envirothon competition and NACD's Stewardship and Education Program.
To learn more about NCF and make a donation, please visit the
NCF webpage.
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Don't Miss Out:
Download NACD's App
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Make sure to download NACD’s free mobile app to keep up-to-date with Annual Meeting events!
Available in the
Apple Store
and
Google Play Store
, the NACD app contains links to the annual meeting program, speaker bios, breakout session descriptions, exhibitor booth information, live auction catalog and more.
Enable push notifications to get last minute alerts on room changes, reminders of upcoming events and the latest annual meeting information you need to know.
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Missed Yesterday's Digest?
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Keep up with the 2020 Annual Meeting by following
@NACDConserve on social media and browsing the
#ConservationInnovation hashtag.
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The registration desk is open in the Grand Salon from
7:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. today.
Stop by for questions, tickets and more!
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