AFCD President Wilbur Dean and Executive Director Michelle Thatcher attended the NACD 2008 Legislative Conference and Board meeting in Washington D.C. on July 19- July 22, 2008. With over 200 delegates representing almost every state, the conference offered many opportunities.

“This was the perfect chance to network on a national level and hear about key NACD issues says Thatcher.  “We were able to learn more about how to lobby our elected officials, and listen to key partners and agency representatives.”

The top speakers at the conference include Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, and USDA Deputy Undersecretary Gary Mast. In the NACD press release, NACD President John Redding, who will be a key speaker at the AFCD conference in August, stated that:

“Secretary Schafer recognized conservation districts in his remarks as the best source to get conservation on the ground”, stated Redding, “As we look to the future of conservation, it was encouraging to hear that the locally-led system is working.”

Other key speakers include: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall, NRCS Associate Chief Dana York, Forest Service Associate Chief Sally Collins, NRCS Indiana State Conservationist Jane Hardisty, FSA Conservation and Environmental Protection Division Deputy Director Mike Linsenbigler, DRD Associates Owner Debbie Reed and American Farm Bureau Federation Chief Economist Bob Young.

In addition to attending the 2 day Board meeting and the conference, the AFCD reps made visits to Florida’s Congressional offices on Capital Hill delivering the AFCD and NACD messages of conservation.

The key NACD issues that were presented covered the Farm Bill implementation, 319 Non Point Source Grants, Conservation Technical Assistance, State and Forestry Management and Climate Change. AFCD also educated our legislators about our districts and resources needed in Florida.

“Florida has been out of the Legislative process for quite some time and it is imperative that we help set the stage for the future of our districts”, says President Dean.  “It is essential that we learn from other districts around the nation and not have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to new programs, funding and overall strategies”.