The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) recently announced the incoming cohort to the Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI)! Since its inception in 2019, NGLI has taken conservation leaders to the next level by training individuals to rise to the challenge of understanding and directing national, collaborative efforts in locally led conservation.

• Stacey Conly, Saline SWCD, Louisiana
• Josh Myers, Guilford County SWCD, North Carolina
• Randy Smith, Mower County SWCD, Minnesota
• Carmen Bruner-Still, Creek County CD, Oklahoma
• Patricia Brown, Sabine SWCD, Louisiana
• Gregory Powers, James River SWCD, Virginia
• Sadie Lister, Little Colorado River SWCD, Arizona

The 2025 NGLI cohort participants were selected through a competitive national application process. The program’s fifth cohort will gather for the first of many growth opportunities throughout their program year in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the 2025 NACD Annual Meeting. 

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO GET AN EARLY-BIRD DISCOUNT!

Have you heard the buzz? NACD wants you to join us at the 2025 Annual Meeting! Hosted in partnership with the Utah Association of Conservation Districts, next year's meeting will take place in Salt Lake City, UT, from February 8-12, 2025. Join us in the Beehive State to explore the theme "Bee the Change: Reaching New Summits in Conservation!"

Register before December 20 to save up to $130 per person. Don't let this deal fly by!

Explore the Breakout Sessions

The agenda for Annual Meeting includes a selection of breakout sessions hosted by conservation districts and partners. From green infrastructure and restoration programs to outreach initiatives and new partnerships, these sessions provide a wealth of information about the agriculture world and the groundbreaking work from people across the nation. NACD’s breakout sessions are some of the most popular activities among meeting attendees and provide a platform for districts to share their initiatives with one another, so plan to join a few during the meeting! Explore the full lineup of sessions here.

Ready to book?

All the details on registration and exclusive hotel and travel discounts, including special discounted airfare with Delta Airlines, can be found on NACD's Annual Meeting webpage. If you have any questions or want to be a sponsor for the event, contact events@nacdnet.org. We can't wait to bee in SLC with you!

LEARN ABOUT HEIRS PROPERTY

AT NACD'S NEXT COFFEE

Join NACD on Zoom for the next Conservation Coffee on December 12, 3:00 p.m. ET. NACD’s Outreach Subcommittee will share information on Heir’s Property, specifically, what the term means, why it matters in an agricultural and conservation context, and current efforts by the committee to bring awareness to the issue. 

Registration is free and open to anyone interested in joining, and the session will also be recorded and later added to our Conservation Coffee playlist on YouTube.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON?

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

This week, NACD’s Executive Board will meet with congressional agriculture committee principals, agency leaders, and other government officials as part of their retreat in Washington, D.C. Congress is negotiating an end-of-year package to temporarily fund the government after December 20, further extend the 2018 Farm Bill, and potentially provide economic assistance for producers and disaster relief to communities damaged by hurricanes. If the package includes economic assistance for producers, it opens the door to integrate Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) conservation funding into the baseline of the farm bill, NACD’s top priority. NACD has been working with House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders to support this objective. In their meetings with lawmakers this week, NACD’s Executive Board will emphasize the importance of the request and receive the latest on negotiations.

SPOKANE DISTRICT

FEATURED ON EPA WEBINAR

Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a webinar on “Financing Agricultural Best Management Practices with the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).” The webinar featured the Washington State Department of Ecology and the Spokane Conservation District, sharing their experiences leveraging the CWSRF to help producers implement conservation practices to reduce runoff, enhance soil health, and manage waste more effectively in cropland and animal feeding operations.

The CWSRF was established with amendments to the Clean Water Act in 1987. The fund is a low-cost source for financing water quality infrastructure projects in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Each state administers its own program, providing low interest loans for projects such as equipment purchases to irrigate more efficiently, practice conservation tillage, or reduce the use of agricultural chemicals; animal feeding and manure management; well sealing and water diversions; and more. These loans can fund project development and planning and can also be used as a match for grants orr paired with other funding. They do not, however, fund operations and maintenance activities.

Since 1995, the Spokane Conservation District has helped get conservation on over 500,000 acres in partnership with the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Water Quality Combined Fund. Through their Farmed Smart Certification & Direct Seed Loan Implementation Program, the two have helped producers implement no-till and direct seed practices by facilitating access to loans so producers can purchase no-till drills and other equipment, such as sprayers for more precise nutrient application and mowers for residue management. Over the years, the Spokane Conservation District has dispersed over $40 million across 620 loans. The no-till and direct seed practices implemented have helped producers save on fuel costs, labor, and equipment wear and tear while improving soil health and water and air quality. This year, the program was honored with EPA’s PISCES award and designated an Exceptional Project.

Watch the webinar recording to learn more about CWSRF and dive deeper into your state’s program, what it funds, and eligibility, by connecting with your state CWSRF program contacts.