The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) began a national program called Stewardship week to inspire Americans to a new awareness of conservation. 

The stewardship concept involves having a responsibility to learn about and conserve our natural resources to leave them improved for future generations. Stewardship week is always the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in May.​​

WHAT IS A BMP ​​​AND WHY DO I NEED ONE?

​​BMP stands for Best Management Practice and is a practice or combination of practices that producers can take to reduce the amount of fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste, and other pollutants entering our water resources. They are designed to improve water quality while maintaining agricultural production.​ The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
​(FDACS)​ has adopted several BMPs including citrus, container nurseries, vegetable and agronomic crops, sod, cow/calf, and aquaculture.

The staff of USDA/Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and GSWCD is here to help you with planning and administering programs to help conserve and improve our natural resources. ​Call ​​​​​​​​​​Soil Conservation: 674-5700 

• Barbara Tillis – Admin:  Ext. 100​
• Jim Sutter – District Conservationist: Ext . 101 
• Jorge Ruiz – Soil Conservationist: Ext. 102 
•  – Resource Conservationist: Ext. 103 
• Christopher Zimmerly – Soil Technician: Ext. 104 
• Nichole Pennington – Engineer: Ext. 105​
• George Poole – Grazing Specialist: Ext. 106 
• Noreen Berden – Secretary/Off. Admin.: Ext. 107

  Apply for Conservation Assistance​​

  The​​ U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
  in Florida encourages farmers and ranchers to submit applications for conservation programs that may help eligible participants pay for conservation practices to prevent soil erosion, improve water quality, restore wetlands and provide habitat for wildlife. 
  Participation is voluntary and applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

  ASK ABOUT

  EQIP-Environmental Quality Incentives Program

  WRP-Wetlands Reserve Program and Other Easement Programs

  CSP-Conservation Stewardship Program​​​​​​​​​​

The Regional Envirothon is a problem-solving, natural resource education program for high school students. It is a unique outdoor competition that requires teamwork and the application of knowledge in the five areas listed below:

• Aquatics – water ecology, water chemistry, water quality, and aquatic life.
• Current Environmental Issues – annually selected topics such as energy sources, ground water, Gulf of Mexico environmental concerns or other current issues.
• Forestry – tree identification, tree ecology, insects, and timber.
• Soils – classification, formation, soil properties, profiles, and site suitability.
• Wildlife – habitat, identification, food, disease, and management.

Each team consists of five students. Schools can enter more than one team, but no more than six teams. The five-member teams are led by an advisor in studying prepared resource materials in the five areas including a selected current environmental issue.

Schools can enter more than one team, but no more than six teams. During the competition, the students will rotate to the five testing stations.The Regional Envirothon brings together soil scientists, wildlife experts, foresters, park and recreational leaders, and other environmental specialists to challenge students to learn about our natural resources.

The annual National Conservation Poster Contest provides kindergarten through twelfth grade students an opportunity to convey their thoughts about soil, water and related natural resource issues through art. It also highlights the educational outreach efforts of conservation districts and their state conservation associations, auxiliaries and agencies. The poster contest theme follows the annual Stewardship theme. The contest is co-sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts and the NACD Auxiliary.

Each year, the poster contest starts at the district level. Individuals and teachers with questions regarding district contests should contact their local district. To locate your local district search our state directory. District winners advance to the state level. For questions regarding state competitions, districts should contact their state association. Finally, state winners advance to the National Contest. National winners are recognized each year at the NACD Annual Meeting.

**PLEASE NOTE: Check your state poster contest sponsoring group to determine deadline and theme topic and correct poster size. Each state coordinates their own contest. Posters must follow your state’s guidelines to be eligible for the national contest.

Go here for more information.

Land Judging is an exciting 4-H and FFA contest in which Middle and High School students in observe and interpret the soil in order to make wise land use decisions.

The skills the teens use at the contest involve principles that can be valuable in career fields like environmental and agricultural management, natural resources conservation, home building, engineering, and construction. Students can compete at the local, state, and national levels.

The Bradford Soil & Water Conservation Districts host local middle and high school students in FFA and 4-H to test their knowledge by judging soils from four pits that are selected by a Soil Scientist with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

In each class (Middle 4-H, High 4-H, Middle FFA, High FFA) the local county winner may compete at the state contest in that respective class.

Top placing teams in the state contest are eligible to compete at the National Land Judging Contest held at the end of April.