Yesterday, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) recognized winners of national service awards at the closing event of the association’s 78th Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA.
Hugh Hammond Bennett National Awards for Conservation Excellence
The National Conservation Planning Partnership’s (NCPP) Hugh Hammond Bennett Awards for Conservation Excellence honor the legacy of Hugh Hammond Bennett, known as “The Father of Soil Conservation.” National awards were presented to one planner and one producer who demonstrated commitment to conservation planning, pioneered new approaches to planning, and advanced soil health adoption through civic engagement.
The Hugh Hammond Bennett Conservation Planner Award was presented to Mark Lefebvre of Waite Park, MN. As Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Conservation Planning Team Manager, Lefebvre leads a team of four in assisting hundreds of farmers and landowners with addressing their natural resource concerns. After working for the district for 18 years, he is known for his patience, understanding, and empathy while he works with farmers and rangers one-on-one with conservation planning, implementing conservation practices, and showcasing farmers’ work. He has also served as an advisor, board member, past president, and expert for multiple councils and teams, including the Minnesota Irrigation Program Advisory Committee, the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Sustainability Council, and more.
The Hugh Hammond Bennett Conservation Producer Award was presented to Ryan and Michael Hough of Barnesville, MN. The Hough brothers walked into their local soil and water conservation district office ten years ago, when they were only 22 and 24 years old. Since then, they’ve adopted various conservation and soil health incentive programs on their farm and help other farmers in their own regenerative farming journey. They enjoy connecting with others and exchanging ideas, whether this be through a quick phone call or small group tours for prospective farmers and ranchers to discuss solutions to the hiccups of transitioning to a new farming system. Their willingness to learn and share their story makes these brothers leaders in their farming community.
Hugh Hammond Bennett Regional Awards for Conservation Excellence
| Region | Planner Awardee | Producer Awardee |
| Pacific | Phil Kaspari Delta Junction, AK | Jenny Webster Kaunakakai, HI |
| Northern Plains | Doug Spencer Salina, KS | Keith, Sandy, Karl, and Becca Bartholomay Sheldon, ND |
| Southwest | Jerry Archuleta Pagosa Springs, CO | Terry Spackman Salt Lake City, UT |
| South Central | Sherri DeGraphenreed Little Rock, AR | Carroll Collier Chico, TX |
| North Central | Mark Lefebvre Waite Park, MN | Ryan and Michael Hough Barnesville, MN |
| Northeast | Melissa Erdman Mifflintown, PA | Lindsay Napolitano and Johann Rinkens Frenchtown, NJ |
| Southeast | Jeff Kastle Watkinsville, GA | Caroline Lewallen Clarksville, GA |
Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award
The Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award was established in partnership between NACD and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and is presented to an individual, district, or organization that has gone above and beyond to promote private lands conservation. Sims, a rancher from McFadden, WY, was a longstanding leader in NACD who dedicated his life to volunteer service and conservation. The award serves as a testament to the memory and legacy of Sims.
The Olin Sims Award was presented to Anthony Mallott of southeast Alaska. As part Lingít of the Tsaagweidí, the Killer Whale Clan, and part Koyukon Athabascan Caribou Clan, Mallott has spent his life caring for the lands that provide sustenance, medicine, and culture upon which Alaska Natives have thrived for millennia. Since taking the lead of Sealaska in 2014, he has ensured the conservation of the corporation’s own forest lands in the region and has helped other private landowners achieve forest management success. He has inspired the expansion of local and tribal led work that prioritizes environmental stewardship and local economies in the region—all while still hunting and fishing to feed his family and connect with the traditions and people of southeast Alaska.
NACD Friend of Conservation Award
NACD’s Friend of Conservation Award recognizes an individual, business, organization, or agency outside the association for outstanding contributions to the conservation of our nation’s natural resources.
The Friends of Conservation Award was presented to Jon Jackson of Comfort Farms in Milledgeville, GA. After completing six deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Jackson, a fourth-generation farmer, created Comfort Farms, a 38-acre regenerative, a working farm that helps veterans in crisis. Comfort Farms helps veterans through opportunities to care for the garden, raise animals, run the on-site market, and build needed structures. The farm provides hands-on learning through programs like soil health, composting, water conservation, and raising animals and serves as a safe place for veterans to find passion and joy in a structured, friendly, and creative work environment.
NACD Distinguished Service Award
The NACD Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual within the association, a conservation district, or a state association that has made significant contributions to the conservation and proper management of our nation’s natural resources.
The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Shelli Lamb of Riverside, CA. Lamb has worked at her conservation district for over 45 years and has been district manager since 1984. Lamb has led the development of award-winning programs in stewardship education and habitat conservation. She was first in developing new programs and funding mechanisms for permanently protecting habitat lands through conservation easements, fee title ownership, and an in-lieu-fee program. She was also the first in Southern California to be awarded an in-lieu-fee program with the Army Corps of Engineers and now sits on the National In-Lieu-Fee Team, joining representatives from across the country to focus on the continuing issues and needs for these programs.
NACD President’s Award
The President’s Award, given yearly by NACD’s President to an individual or organization that has been especially dedicated to advancing conservation during the president’s term, was given to NACD Chief Operating Officer Karla Maldonado-Mitchell from Washington, D.C.
National Conservation District Employees Association (NCDEA) Awards
Cliff Lane of McKean County Conservation District in Pennsylvania was recognized as a recipient of the National Conservation District Employees Association’s (NCDEA) Outstanding Conservation District Board Member Award. In the last 20 years, Lane’s vision has transformed districts, built leaders, and inspired change. His legacy is one of passion, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to preserving natural resources.
Henrietta Taylor of Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District in Alabama was awarded NCDEA’s Outstanding Conservation District Professional Award. Taylor has been the heartbeat of her local conservation district for 23 years. Her legacy spreads from local partnerships to the grand stage of national conservation efforts.
NACD + NRCS Earth Team Award
During the Tuesday Banquet, NRCS Assistant Chief Kenneth Walker and NACD President Kim LaFleur presented the Harford Soil Conservation District from Harford, MD with the NACD + NRCS Earth Team Award.
