FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MASCD hosts National Northeast Region Meeting of Soil Conservation Districts
Cambridge, MD (August 31, 2022)- The Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD) held their 2022 Annual Meeting in conjunction with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Northeast Region Meeting from August 28-31 at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, MD. The theme of the 2022 meeting was “Strength Through Connection”. About 225 conservation district supervisors, staff and partners shared strategies and success stories on topics ranging from urban agriculture to diversity, equity and inclusion, to climate change and soil health.
In his welcoming remarks, MASCD President Bruce Yerkes noted that “Conservation Districts are natural connectors. Each and every day, they partner with their county governments, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses to get conservation projects on the ground.” Participants heard different perspectives on connection from leaders throughout the conservation partnership, including Denise Savageau (NACD Northeast Region Chair), Joseph Bartenfelder (Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary), Emily Fife (NRCS Acting Regional Conservationist), Jeremy Peters (NACD Chief Executive Officer), Colton Buckley (National Association of RC&D Councils Executive Director) and Jeff Parker (President of the Northeast Association of Conservation District Employees).
This year’s meeting also included two tours highlighting the unique agricultural landscape and challenges in Dorchester and Talbot Counties. The first tour visited Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to learn about their climate change mitigation strategies, followed by a visit to Luthy Farms to learn about commercial miscanthus production. A second tour traveled to Talbot County to visit the oyster aquaculture operation at Friendship Farms, see mature wetland restoration project at John Swaine’s Farm, and hear about conservation and direct market opportunities at Wright Mill Farm. Both tours concluded with a crab feast at Layton’s Chance Winery and Vineyard, to ensure that attendees from West Virginia to Maine experienced the best of Maryland’s Eastern Shore!
MASCD annually recognizes the service of outstanding supervisors, employees, cooperators, and others that make significant contributions to district programs. This year at the meeting, the organization recognized the following:
- Dwayne Coulter (Washington)- Outstanding Cooperator
- Adam Heavner (Allegany)- Outstanding Employee
- Elmer Weibley (Washington)- Employee Special Achievement
- Chuck Schuster (Howard)- Outstanding Contribution by a New Supervisor
- Robert Butz (Montgomery)- Outstanding Leadership
- Ben Allnut (Montgomery)- Outstanding Contribution
- Howard County SCD- Outstanding Newsletter
- Calvert County SCD- District Attendance Award
- Cecil County SCD- Conservation Education District
- Rachel Coffey (Cecil)- Conservation Education Teacher
Kurt Fuchs, Senior Vice President of External Affairs at Horizon Farm Credit presented the Farm Credit Outstanding District Awards to St. Mary’s SCD (1st), Howard SCD (2nd), Washington County SCD (3rd) and Montgomery SCD (Honorable Mention).
The Maryland Envirothon presented a special award to Carl Robinette (Allegany) for his long service to the Envirothon competition. Elmer Weibly was also recognized for his 30 years of service and extensive achievements as District Manager for the Washington County Soil Conservation District. Both Elmer and Carl were also presented with MASCD President’s Awards to thank them for their important contributions to conservation in the state. Further information on each of the awardees can be found in the meeting program at https://mascd.net/2022am/program/.
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