The 2026 NACD Stewardship Week theme is "Soil. Where It All Begins!" The theme celebrates the incredible power of soil to support life in all its forms. Soil is not just the ground we walk on. It is the starting point for healthy food, clean water, thriving habitats, and resilient communities. From backyard gardens to forests and city parks, everything begins with what is beneath our feet.

Conservation districts across the country work every day to protect this vital resource. Through education, technical support, and local partnerships, they help landowners and communities keep soil healthy, productive, and resilient. When we take care of soil, we are taking care of everything it supports. That is why soil is where it all begins.

Throughout August, the NACD Stewardship and Education team will begin releasing the 2026 Education Materials — all available for free download on the NACD Marketplace. Resources will be made available in phases, starting with contest materials, hands-on project sheets, and student activity and coloring pages. The full Instructor Guide will follow shortly thereafter.

In the meantime, check out the assortment of 2025 materials on habitats. Submissions for the 2025 Poster and Photo Contests can be submitted through December 1, 2025. Submissions for the 2026 contests will open on March 1, 2026.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION FOR CONSERVATION AWARDS

Recognize your fellow conservation professionals, organizations, conservation districts, producers, and more through NACD's Conservation Awards and the National Conservation Planning Partnership's (NCPP) Hugh Hammond Bennett Awards.

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 by August 31, 2025.

The NACD 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 and are due by August 31, 2025.

The Hugh Hammond Bennett Producer Award recognizes any producer working with NCPP partner organizations on conservation planning or the implementation of a conservation plan. Nominations are due by September 1, 2025.

The Hugh Hammond Bennett Conservation Planner Award recognizes any NCPP partnership employees. Partner organizations are those recognized by NCPP at the national, state, or local level, including conservation districts. Nominations are due by September 1, 2025.

Awardees will be honored at the 2026 NACD Annual Meeting that will be held in San Antonio, TX, on February 14-19, 2026.

SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR A BREAKOUT SESSION AT NACD'S 2026 ANNUAL MEETING

NACD is now accepting breakout session proposals for the upcoming 2026 Annual Meeting to be held in San Antonio, Texas, on February 14-19, 2026.

Breakout sessions spotlight the work of conservation districts and partners across the country. New to this year, we are also accepting proposals for training sessions to help conservation district board members and staff build their skillsets. Sessions typically run between 30 and 90 minutes long and often showcase several speakers. Session proposals are now being accepted!

This year, NACD is seeking proposals that fit into one of four themes:

• Build and Expand Your Skillsets – Professional development and technical training
• District Management: Embracing Change – Examples of districts overcoming challenges, adding new projects or technical capabilities, responding to change, and developing strategies for resilience
• Conservation Innovation – Use of innovative approaches and technologies
• Partnerships for Impact – Partnerships and innovative ways districts are growing capacity

If selected, speakers are responsible for their registration, lodging, and travel expenses.

Spread the word about this opportunity and consider submitting a session proposal by September 26, 2025! If you have any questions or would like to discuss your proposal before submitting, please reach out to NACD’s Director of Membership Engagement, Dr. Ariel Rivers, at ariel-rivers@nacdnet.org.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON? GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

The House and Senate remain adjourned through September 2. The Government Affairs team is happy to provide individually tailored memos in advance of meetings with your legislators that occur during this recess. Please reach out to JoBeth Delawder at jobeth-delawder@nacdnet.org or Connor Simons at connor-simons@nacdnet.org with requests, allowing for one week notice.

NACD’s advocacy is much stronger when we have personal stories from the field. Please help us provide the most effective comments by responding to these action items:

USDA has requested feedback on the Department’s reorganization plan, as outlined in the Secretary’s memorandum issued on July 24. Please reach out to Connor Simons at connor-simons@nacdnet.org by August 26 with any questions and especially with any information from your on-the-ground experience.

On Monday, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) released notice of changes to the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program to add supplemental acreage. The deadline to submit an FSA-63 ECAP for additional, eligible acres to their local FSA county office is September 30.

FSA also released a notice requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved information collection associated with the Direct Loan Making and Loan Servicing Program. The collected information is used in eligibility and feasibility determinations on farm loan applications as well as to determine borrower compliance with loan agreements, assist the borrower in achieving business goals, and regular servicing of the loan account, such as graduation, subordination, partial release, and use of proceeds. The deadline for comments is October 20. 

RIO GRANDE DISTRICT BRINGS FORESTRY EDUCATION TO STUDENTS WITH FRIENDS GRANT

In 2024, the Rio Grande Conservation District (RGCD) in the San Luis Valley of Colorado received a Friends of NACD District Grant to implement a forestry project alongside the Center Conservation District. With partner assistance from the Rio Grande Watershed Conservation & Education Initiative (RGWCEI), Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), and NRCS, they held a hands-on educational field day for 5th and 6th grade students centered around tree planting.

With help from their partners, the district office hosted 37 students and planted 14 trees to showcase some of the varieties that can be grown in the area. The day started with students watching a tree planting demonstration by CSFS, dividing up into groups and planting the trees in pre-excavated holes. The species planted that day were all species that grow well in the area and provide important windbreak and pollinator functions. Afterwards the students enjoyed a presentation on the benefits these trees will provide for wildlife, pollinators, and a nearby agricultural field. 

After the success of the tree planting, RGCD installed shrubs between the trees to create additional windbreak and pollinator habitat to benefit the adjacent agricultural field on the district’s property. Remaining funds were used to install a drip-line irrigation system to ensure the new trees and shrubs received scheduled waterings throughout the season. 

Leveraging funding from a Friends of NACD grants, the Rio Grande Conservation District started a forestry initiative at their district and shared conservation with our next generation of leaders. Staff plans to expand upon the already planted trees and shrubs and use this installation as a living example of what forestry can do for their community! 

Read more on NACD's blog, and become a Friend of NACD today to support conservation district projects like this one!