The awards kicked off with the presentation of the NCDEA Awards for Outstanding Conservation District Board Member and Outstanding Conservation District Professional Employee. John Finch of Nash Soil and Water Conservation District in North Carolina and retiring Southeast Region Executive Board Member, received the award for outstanding district board member. Peter Vigil of the Taos Soil and Water Conservation District of New Mexico was the award winner for outstanding district employee.

One of the most prestigious awards of the evening is the NACD/NRCS Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award. This year’s award recipient was Mike Thralls. Thralls was recognized for his superior service to the conservation community in promoting and leading conservation on private lands.

Rounding out the awards ceremony was the presentation of NACD’s top National Awards. The NACD Friend of Conservation award was presented to Charlie Shafer, president of Agri Drain Corporation and longtime supporter of soil and water conservation in Iowa and across the nation. Shafer has supported NACD as an exhibitor at the Conservation Expo, a sponsor of the NACD Annual Meeting, and by serving as the CTIC representative on the NACD Executive Board.

NACD’s Distinguished Service Award went to Don and Mary Jane Spickler. Don sadly passed away in the spring of last year, but his legacy to conservation will long be remembered. Mary Jane accepted the award for her and Don’s lifelong contributions. The Spicklers have been actively involved with conservation districts at the local, state and national level for over 42 years. While Don advanced from serving on his local district board to state and national positions, Mary Jane advanced in her position of involvement alongside Don through the NACD Auxiliary, supporting the soil and water stewardship program and the NACD poster contest. The Spicklers also developed a vision for the National Envirothon which they supported financially and through the dedication of their time and talent.

The final award of the night was the President’s Award which was presented to Tim Palmer. Palmer is an NACD Executive Board Member and farmer from Iowa. Palmer also Vice Chair of Madison County SWCD, NACD CTIC board representative, as well as serving on many other committee memberships within NACD.

NACD would like to thank all the retiring Officers and Executive Board Members for their years of service.

The new NACD Officer team was announced with the installment of Lee McDaniel as the new NACD President. Former Second Vice President Brent Van Dyke of New Mexico was elected as First Vice President; former Secretary/Treasurer Dick Went of Rhode Island was elected as Second Vice President; and John McDonald, Executive Board member from Oregon, was elected as Secretary/Treasurer.