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Hosted in partnership with the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD), NACD's 2024 Annual Meeting will take place in San Diego, California from February 10-14, 2024. Join us for great networking opportunities, speakers, and tours exploring the theme "Operation Conservation!"
Explore the 2024 Annual Meeting agenda to discover available sessions, meetings, and events that will be happening throughout the week. NACD is especially excited for this year’s lineup of breakout sessions and symposiums. These informational sessions focus on the work of conservation districts and their partners across the country. 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.
This year, sessions will focus on the four themes of Community Outreach, Climate Resilience, Conservation Capacity & Partnerships, and Diverse & Small-Scale Agriculture. Explore specific topics and speakers on NACD's website or event app. More sessions are still being confirmed, so stay tuned.
These sessions are some of the most popular activities among meeting attendees. Don’t forget to pencil in the ones you want to attend in your Annual Meeting schedule, or add them to your personalized agenda on the event app!
Register soon to reserve your space at our annual meeting! If you sign up before December 22, 2023, you can save up to $130 with early bird pricing! Find everything you need to know on NACD's website.
| CLIMATE-SMART COMMODITIES GRANT ENTERING PHASE TWO | |
We received a great response to our call for climate-smart projects that leverage our nation's locally led conservation delivery system to help producers get conservation on the ground, capture carbon, and improve access to markets!
With over 100 innovative concept papers received from across the country, and over $420 million proposed for projects (this includes matching funds), NACD is moving on to phase 2 of the project selection process.
Phase 2 is all about matchmaking. Over the weeks ahead, NACD will connect proposals with state and territory associations of conservation districts, conservation districts, tribes, and other partners to facilitate partnership-building and project development. NACD anticipates announcing the Request for Proposals (RFP) for project grants this month and the RFP for planning and capacity grants in January.
Learn more about NACD’s Climate-Smart Commodities program here.
| UPCOMING CONSERVATION COFFEE ON DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLANNING | |
Join NACD and our District and Partner Relations Committee for the next Conservation Coffee, a virtual learning and networking opportunity for districts and their partners!
On December 14 at 3:00 p.m. ET via Zoom, learn from Matt Miller, the Leadership Development Program Manager for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts. Matt will discuss Pennsylvania's efforts to support conservation districts with strategic planning.
Registration for the session is free and open to anyone with an interest in joining!
If you're unable to attend live, the session will be recorded and shared later. Check out the previous session on the Friends of NACD District Grant Program here.
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WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE
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NACD’s Executive Board is convening in Washington, D.C. this week and will meet with USDA and congressional agriculture committee leaders. Board members will have the opportunity to share updates, discuss NACD requests, and learn more about congressional and agency priorities. Keep an eye on NACD’s website for updates and pictures!
On Wednesday, December 7, the House Agriculture Committee will hold a “Member Day” hearing, which provides lawmakers the opportunity to raise agriculture policy priorities. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. ET and can be watched live here.
| PACK-A-BOOK PROGRAM DELIVERS BOOKS TO LOCAL SCHOOL IN LOUISIANA | |
In February 2023, NACD held its 77th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. All attendees were invited to bring a book with the subject matter of conservation of natural resources or agriculture to be donated to a local school or library.
Over 75 books were brought or sent to the NACD Annual Meeting for donation. The donated books came from Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and conservation partners throughout the United States. These books were delivered by supervisors from the Crescent Soil & Water Conservation District to Chalmette Elementary School, located in St. Bernard Parish, just a few miles downriver from the hotel. This school building and contents had been a total loss due to the damage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It was subsequently rebuilt by the Parish School Board for local students in grades pre-Kindergarten through fifth grades.
The librarian and fourth grade science teacher gratefully accepted the donated books pictured alongside the two of the Cresent SWCD Directors, which were later shared with science classrooms throughout St. Bernard Parish.
For 2024, NACD has partnered with the Greater San Diego Resource Conservation District, and you can participate by bringing or mailing a book to San Diego! More information and a list of suggested book titles can be found here.
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Economics of Soil Health Systems
Farmer Focus:
Jack Boyer
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NACD, the Soil Health Institute, and NRCS recently released economic findings from 30 farmers who adopted soil health management systems. Each week, we will be highlighting one farm from this study.
In Iowa, the Boyer farm increased profitability with no-till production and cover crops.
Check out a video, producer narrative, and fact sheet about this farm, and all other farms in the study, here.
| Final Call for District Official State Recognition Program Applications | |
Applications for NACD’s District Officials State Training Recognition Program are now being accepted through December 8, 2023.
The program recognizes states and territories that have developed and implemented a district officials training program.
To qualify, a district officials training program must include 50 percent or more of the elements in all 15 categories identified by NACD and the National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA).
For states that have been recognized previously, you are required to re-submit a checklist every two years for recognition.
To apply, visit this webpage. Recognition will take place during the 2024 NACD Annual Meeting.
| Last Chance: Hall of Distinction Nominations | |
NACD is currently seeking nominations for its Hall of Distinction!
Through NACD’s Hall of Distinction, state and territory associations can recognize current and past conservation leaders for their extraordinary work to advance conservation at the national level.
States and territories may induct one person to the Hall of Distinction every year. To make an induction, state and territory associations are asked to send NACD information via this online form by December 8, 2023.
Learn more about the Hall of Distinction, including eligibility criteria, here.
| Join REPI Webinar on Conservation Finance Opportunities in Sentinel Landscapes | |
Join the REPI Program and Sentinel Landscapes Partnership on Wednesday, December 6, from 1:00 - 2:15 p.m. ET for the Conservation Finance Opportunities in Sentinel Landscapes webinar.
The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership facilitates cross-agency collaboration and develops unique partnerships to implement innovative funding strategies within sentinel landscapes. During this webinar, participants will learn how the Conservation Finance Network and their key partners are helping sentinel landscapes access conservation finance technical assistance opportunities.
Join the webinar here.
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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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