NACD's Annual Awards Program recognizes individuals and organizations for their outstanding work and leadership in soil and water conservation. Nominations are being accepted for the 2022 awards for the NACD Distinguished Service Award and NACD Friend of Conservation Award through August 31, 2022.
The NACD Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual within the association, a conservation district, or a state association that has made significant contributions to the conservation and proper management of our nation’s natural resources. Nominees can be involved with districts or the association at any level, including past NACD officers. Nominations are also accepted for individuals posthumously and may be submitted by any individual, organization, agency, or conservation district.
The Friend of Conservation Award recognizes an individual, business, organization, or agency outside the association for outstanding contributions to the conservation of our nation’s natural resources. Any individual, business, organization, or agency that is not directly associated with conservation districts at the local, state, or national level is eligible to receive this award. Nominations can be made by any individual, organization, agency, or conservation district.
The 2022 awardees will be recognized at a ceremony held in their honor at NACD's 2023 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA.
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THE NACD 2022 SUMMER MEETING IS NEXT MONTH! |
There's still time to register to join us in San Juan! Hosted in partnership with the Puerto Rico Association of Soil Conservation Districts, this year's meeting will take place from July 16-19 at the Caribe Hilton Hotel. Registration for the 2022 NACD Summer Conservation Forum and Tour is open through June 24, 2022!
With attendance, you will also have the chance to explore the beautiful island of Puerto Rico through a selection of group tours, including through the El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service. On this guided walk, get the chance to see the forest's diverse ecosystem, hosting hundreds of unique plant and animal species, including Puerto Rico’s famous coquí frog. These tours are filling up fast, so register soon!
Information about registration, accommodations, travel, and more can be found on NACD's website.
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NEW SUMMER TIME ITEMS ON THE MARKETPLACE |
NACD wants you to look and feel your best this summer whether you are on the farm, by the pool, hiking, biking, or walking down the streets of San Juan with us at the Summer Meeting! We've added a selection of new items on our marketplace just for summer, including hats, shirts, cups, and more. Check them out and get them personalized with the Conservation C logo (or our partner logos) to represent your conservation efforts while staying stylish all season long. |
Brubaker Farms, LLC is a family operation run by brothers Mike and Tony Brubaker along with Mike’s son Josh Brubaker. Today, Mike and Tony’s father Luke Brubaker plays more of an advisory role on the farm, turning the management over to his sons and grandson. But he and his own father started this operation on its current trajectory in making their dairy a sustainable operation, uniquely situated in a rural-urban interface of Lancaster County, PA.
Brubaker Farms spans 1,000+ acres, surrounded by residential developments in Mount Joy. Their operation has 1,300 dairy cows, 52,000 broiler chickens, and over 1,000 acres of crops which include corn, soybeans, wheat, rye, and alfalfa. The Brubakers farm their land to feed their dairy herd, and they have incorporated no-tilling and cover crops into the management of their fields. These conservation practices help the Brubakers build their soil health as well as keep the water and nutrients on the field, combatting erosion.
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With several local streams flowing through their farm, the Brubakers have made it a priority to establish riparian buffers between their fields and the bodies of water. The trees and vegetation provide not only a filter for any water going into the streams, but also habitat for wildlife. Additionally, these streams feed into a larger stream in the community which is zoned specifically for fly-fishing. It’s just another way they know their efforts are having a positive impact when they see visiting anglers pulling large trout from the stream.
Like any farmer across the country, the Brubakers need their operation to be profitable while still doing what is right for the community and the environment. They make their dollars stretch by working with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through their programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Through these programs, the Brubakers have been able to invest in manure management, nutrient management to reduce fertilizer inputs, cover crops, and the riparian buffer areas – fencing the cattle away from the streams and tree plantings. And for Brubaker Farms, most of the water used in their operation is used for more than one purpose. Water used to chill the milk tanks is then used as drinking water for the cattle. Water used to rinse out the milking parlor’s pipes is later used to clean its floors and then used to irrigate their crops.
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The Brubakers are considered early adopters of soil health and nutrient management practices and energy-producing technologies, and as a result, their farm is a frequent site for tours on conservation, sustainability, animal welfare, and modern farming practices. And in January of 2022, the Brubakers were awarded the 2021 Leopold Conservation Award in Pennsylvania.
Read more about their operation here. |
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NACD Announces Communications Specialist |
NACD is pleased to announce Mariah MacKenzie as the new Communications Specialist.
Mariah has been with NACD since September 2021, serving as the Government Affairs Associate, supporting NACD's policies and legislative task forces while writing a series of government affairs posts on NACD’s blog.
Prior to joining NACD, Mariah served as a campaign associate for Environment Maryland, a legislative intern with the D.C. office of Congressman William Keating of MA, a research intern with Restore America’s Estuaries, and was an intern with NACD in the fall of 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from George Washington University with minors in Spanish and psychology.
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NACD + NCF Career Opportunities: |
Government Affairs Associate: NACD is seeking a full-time Government Affairs Associate that will be responsible for assisting to develop and advance the association’s conservation policy priorities, program implementation, and stakeholder relations. Apply by June 17, 2022 to receive priority consideration.
Graphic Designer: NACD seeks a contract with a graphic designer who can take direction from written or spoken ideas and convert them seamlessly into images, layouts and other designs. More specifically, we’re looking for someone who will be able to create and design specific conservation elements and images for grade specific curriculum guides that are currently under development. Proposals must be submitted to the project contacts by June 24, 2022.
Director of Development: The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) is requesting proposals for a part-time Director of Development to lead NCF in implementing a fundraising plan for the foundation. Submittals must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, July 1, 2022. Learn more here.
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Upcoming: NACD's Forestry Webinar |
NACD is hosting a forestry webinar on June 10 at 1:00 p.m. ET, moderated by NACD Northeast Region Representative Annica McGuirk. This webinar will explore the upcoming fire season, resources available for natural resource professionals, district activities in Washington state, and will include a conversation between two districts that participated in the revision process of their Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
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Department of the Interior Grant Opportunity |
Recently, the Department of the Interior released draft guidance for eligible states and the Navajo Nation on how to apply for the first $725 million in funding available for reclaiming abandoned mine lands (AML) as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The law provides a total of $11.3 billion in AML grant funding over 15 years, to eligible states and Tribes to help communities eliminate dangerous environmental hazards and pollution caused by past coal mining while creating jobs and providing opportunities to revitalize coal communities.
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Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day, or other events on NACD's Calendar of Events!
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