NACD Reacts to Farm Bill
in Letter to House Agriculture Committee

Today, NACD sent a letter to House Agriculture Committee leadership outlining the organization’s reaction to the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2) introduced on Thursday.

“We appreciate the committee's due diligence in preparing this legislation,” NACD President Brent Van Dyke said. “Farmers and ranchers utilize farm bill conservation programs every day to improve soil, water and wildlife habitat. These programs give producers the necessary tools and resources they need to implement voluntary, locally-led conservation practices. We hope both sides of the aisle can come together to get a farm bill across the finish line.”


Oklahoma Wildfires Cause State of Emergency


NACD’s thoughts and prayers go out to all the producers and landowners in Oklahoma affected by the recent wildfires. Governor Mary Fallin has declared a state of emergency due to the fires across nine counties, which have consumed more than 306,000 acres, 242,000 acres in Dewey County (pictured) alone. A majority of the acres involved are either rangeland or cropland for agricultural production.

To help producers in the state, the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation (OCF) has established a fire relief fund. More information about OCF’s fire relief fund can be found on the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association website. For up-to-date fire conditions, please visit the Oklahoma Forestry Services website.


Stewardship Week approaches!

NACD’s 63rd Annual Stewardship Week starts next Sunday, April 29! Are you prepared? It’s not too late to download free “Watersheds: Our Water, Our Home” materials. Visit the NACD Marketplace to access free, downloadable educational materials on a range of topics. And don’t forget, Stewardship Week is a great time to complete your photo and poster contest submissions!

If your district has an activity planned for Stewardship Week, please let us know! Email stewardship@nacdnet.org with the event details.


NACD Sits Down with KFAF

NACD’s Forestry Specialist Mike Beacom sat down with Keeping Forests as Forests (KFAF) Project Coordinator Scott Davis for a Q&A. Together, the two discussed the most astounding threats facing the future of forestry and how KFAF and conservation districts can work to mitigate them.

“It’s time to move away from thinking about our forests as particular places on the landscape and reframe the conversation around the inherent social, biological and economic values that functional forests represent to people today and in the future,” Davis said. Click here to read the full interview.


Conservation Planning Boot Camp Benefits Employees, Districts, Landowners

Are you considering sending your district employee to Conservation Planning Boot Camp? There are still spots available for the June, July, August and September sessions.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Planning Boot Camp is a three-week, intensive training course for technical employees that covers current conservation planning policy, procedures and guidelines as outlined in the National Planning Procedures Handbook.

Each year for the next five years, 75 conservation district employees will have the opportunity to participate in this Lincoln, Neb.,-based program. District participants are trained in and out of the classroom alongside NRCS field staff to gain the skills they need to develop and implement comprehensive conservation plans.

Nash County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Chairman and NACD North Carolina Alternate Board Member John Finch (pictured) encourages all district chairs and board members to take advantage of the opportunity, as the experience benefits the employee, the district and its landowners.

“The Conservation Planning Boot Camp not only benefits district employees,” Finch said. “District participation in the course ensures technical assistance is provided to local landowners and operators in a consistent manner across the country. Every conservation district technical employee should strive for excellence in natural resources conservation planning. Boot Camp equips district employees with the skills and resources necessary to implement sound conservation programs both locally and nationwide.”

Click here to learn more about Conservation Planning Boot Camp and how it could help your district.



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