The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has many education and outreach resources available. Check out the NACD Conservation Education Hub for education curriculum, lesson plans, contests you can promote and handouts you can utilize for events in the classroom or at outreach events! It's never too early to start planning for next year, so note that the 2024 Stewardship Week theme for next April is “May the Forest be with you Always.” Activities and suggestions on how to promote this week are already available.  

Check out local radio stations for an effective way to let farmers know about VACS. Radio ads can be surprisingly affordable and are a great way to reach people across a large area. Your message gains credibility when it comes from a trusted radio voice. And many folks hear these ads while driving, so they are a captive audience that listens to the end. Customize this script or write your own using the tips below.  

Writing a script for a paid radio ad or a free public service announcement? Here are three ways to make it speak clearly and convincingly: 

1. Have a clear call-to-action. What’s the next thing you want people to do after they hear your ad? Tell them. That’s your call-to-action. Make it easy and low commitment. Just get them to take the first step. Example: “Call 123-456-7890 to find out if you qualify.” The call-to-action is the most important sentence in your ad.  

2. Simple words, short sentences. Remember, people are listening to your ad, not reading it. Try to make all the words one or two syllables. See if a sentence with a comma can be turned into two short sentences.  

3. Read it out loud, with a stopwatch. Radio time is programmed to the second. Read your ad aloud a few times. Use the pace you would like to hear on the radio. If something is hard to say, it’s probably going to be hard to listen to — so don’t hesitate to revise and simplify. A 30-second radio spot is about 75 words.