During this special, one-hour Conservation Coffee, join NACD and Placer County Resource Conservation District of California, as we learn from Kaila Anderson about the LandLogic Model℠, a culturally-tailored mental health model incorporating a producer's land, and how conservationists fit into the continuum of care for farmer's mental health.

Producers face a variety of stressors—including but not limited to economic pressures, issues with labor or staffing, and regulatory and policy burdens—leading to feelings of burnout, fatigue, isolation, and a sense of disconnect between themselves and society at large. Yet, negative perceptions and stigma may still prevent individuals from seeking out support from mental health professionals. That is, if that support is even available locally in their rural community and if mental health service providers are familiar with the contexts facing producers.

Kaila Anderson, herself the product of a 5th generation farming family in Kansas, created the LandLogic Model℠ as a tool incorporating how a producer relates to their land with mental health interventions. Specifically, the LandLogic Model℠ has adapted many standard therapeutic practices into a tangible and relatable language for people who live and work off the land.

While this session is not meant to train individuals to replace professional mental health service providers, it will provide attendees with tools to recognize when farmers, ranchers, and others may be struggling. Attendees will be able to better understand the implications of a producer's legacy and how that may affect their mental health and gain some basic tools and strategies to use in their conversations with producers. As conservation district staff and board members are often trusted resources within a community, the introductory skills provided in this session will help increase awareness around mental health for district affiliates while improving their ability to recognize when support may be needed.

Join us on October 29 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET. Registration is free online, and participants will be sent a zoom link once registered. The session will be recorded and added to NACD’s Member’s Only Section of our website after the event.

LEARN HOW GNA HELPS DISTRICTS TEAM UP FOR DISASTER RECOVERY

Discover how Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) is helping SWCDs team up with state and federal partners to tackle hurricane recovery in North Carolina on Thursday, October 30 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET. Register for the webinar here.

GNA gives conservation districts a practical way to bring resources to their communities, expand implementation capacity, and shape forest and watershed restoration on federal lands. Hear the journey of this large-scale collaborative effort, including how partners are navigating opportunities and hurdles, bridging gaps between responders and communities, and removing substantial debris from national forests.

Did you miss last week's locally led forest stewardship webinar? Don't worry, you can see the full webinar recording on NACD's YouTube page. Learn how the Taos Soil and Water Conservation District in New Mexico is using Good Neighbor Authority to address wildfire risk, erosion, and watershed health in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and Carson National Forest.

REGISTER FOR 2026 NACD ANNUAL MEETING

NACD invites you to join us in San Antonio, Texas, for the 2026 Annual Meeting! Hosted in partnership with the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts, our 80th meeting will take place on February 15-19, 2026, at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk. Help us celebrate this milestone anniversary—the Oak Anniversary—and explore the theme, "Deep Roots, Bold Horizons."

Registration is now open! Act now to get an early-bird discounted rate before December 19. 

This year’s NACD Annual Meeting will start one day later than past meetings. Please keep this schedule in mind as you are making travel arrangements. The first general session for all attendees will be held on Tuesday morning, February 17, not Monday. 

All the details on registration and exclusive hotel discounts can be found on NACD's Annual Meeting webpage. 

For attendees traveling to San Antonio by plane, Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts! Click here to explore itineraries and book flights. You may also call Delta’s Conferences and Events® line at 1-800-328-1111 Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. ET and refer to Meeting Event Code NY3YA. There is no service fee for reservations booked and ticketed through this number.

If you have any questions or if you would like to explore sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities at the event, contact events@nacdnet.org.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON? GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

With Congress failing to reach agreement on a continuing resolution, the federal government entered a shutdown on October 1, which is now in its third week. NACD has reviewed agency contingency plans and is tracking impacts to key conservation programs and delivery partners.

Nearly all NRCS and FSA operations are suspended—96% of NRCS staff and 67% of FSA staff are furloughed—halting most conservation planning, practice implementation, and program payments. The Forest Service continues only essential fire and emergency operations, while the EPA and the Department of the Interior have furloughed 89% and 82% of their workforces, respectively.

WHERE THE LAND SPEAKS FOR ITSELF: REGENERATIVE TEXAS' VISION IN PRACTICE

At this year’s Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts (ATSWCD) Annual Meeting, one message rose above the rest: the land has a story to tell, if we’re willing to listen.

That message was brought to life through the short film Where the Land Speaks for Itself, produced under the Regenerative Texas initiative. The film captures a simple but powerful idea: land doesn’t just respond to management, it communicates, adapts, and guides us, if we take the time to observe and respond in kind.

A Statewide Movement Rooted in Regeneration

Regenerative Texas, an initiative of ATSWCD, is dedicated to promoting regenerative agriculture across the state. Its mission is to restore soil health, improve water retention, increase biodiversity, and strengthen the resilience of working lands and rural communities. The program builds networks of conservation leaders, producers, and partners committed to working with the land rather than on it.

As shared on their website, Regenerative Texas “was created to inspire, educate, and connect land stewards who believe conservation is not just a practice but a mindset.” The initiative encourages landowners and districts alike to adopt a new perspective. One where the land itself becomes the teacher.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Daniel at 2959 Designs

Listening to the Land

At the annual meeting, the film prompted thoughtful discussion about how conservation districts can apply this mindset in their day-to-day work. Rather than relying solely on fixed prescriptions or uniform practices, many district leaders spoke about embracing adaptive management, observing soil conditions, plant health, and water movement before making management decisions.

By “listening” to the land through indicators like soil moisture, plant diversity, and wildlife behavior producers can make more informed, sustainable choices that build resilience over time.

Why It Matters for Texas Districts

For Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Regenerative Texas offers a shared vision and communication platform to inspire producers statewide. It’s not about promoting one set of tools or techniques, it’s about encouraging curiosity, responsiveness, and connection to the land.

“Through our Regenerative Texas initiative, we hope to highlight the conservation work by farmers and ranchers across the state but also provide producer-to-producer educational opportunities,” said Leroy Wolff, ATSWCD President.

As Where the Land Speaks for Itself reminds us, conservation isn’t a one-way conversation. The land has its own language and Texans are listening.

Watch the film here and learn more about the initiative at regenerativetexas.org.