MACD recognizes and honors a number of individuals and groups for their activities and contributions to the conservation of Mississippi’s natural resources. Participation in the Conservation Award Program may lead to district, area, state, regional, and national awards. Each year local entries are judged at the area level with each of the 4 areas advancing an area winner. From the area winners a statewide award winner is recognized at the MACD Annual Meeting in January. The competition provides an incentive to do an even better job of resource conservation and development. Awards are presented at MACD’s Annual meeting in January. The 2020 MACD Annual meeting will be held Jan. 22-23, 2020, at the Hilton in Jackson, MS.
Outstanding Conservation Legislators
The MACD recognizes a State Representative and a State Senator who have shown a special interest in promoting the conservation and enhancement of Mississippi’s natural resources through active support of the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts conservation efforts. The awards are presented each year at the closing banquet of the MACD Annual Meeting in January.
District Commissioner/Deputy Commissioner of the Year
The objective of the District Commissioner/Deputy Commissioner of the Year Award is to recognize an individual who has best demonstrated capabilities in the areas of leadership, information/education, financing and new programs. Each nomination shall be in a narrative form highlighting accomplishments. A District Commissioner/Deputy Commissioner of the Year will be selected by each MACD Area to represent the area for statewide judging. This award will cover a one-year time frame from one MACD Summer Meeting to the next.
The objective of the District Employee of the Year Award is to recognize the individual who has best demonstrated capabilities in the areas of leadership, information/education and assistance to the local soil and water conservation district. All District Employees are eligible for nomination. The local soil and water conservation district must submit the employee’s nomination. Each nomination shall be in a narrative form, highlighting accomplishments above and beyond normal job duties. A District Employee of the Year will be selected by each MACD Area to represent the area for statewide judging. This award will cover a one-year time frame from one MACD Summer Meeting to the next.
The objective of the NRCS Employee of the Year Award is to recognize the individual who has best demonstrated capabilities in the areas of leadership, information/education and technical assistance to the local soil and water conservation district. All NRCS Field Office Employees are eligible for nomination. The local soil and water conservation district must submit the nomination for each employee. Nominations shall be in a narrative form, highlighting accomplishments above and beyond normal job duties. An NRCS Employee of the Year will be selected by each MACD Area to represent the area for statewide judging. This award will cover a one-year time frame from one MACD Summer Meeting to the next.
Outstanding Cropland Conservationist Award
Through the MACD Cropland Conservationist Award, row crop producers are recognized for outstanding accomplishments in the application and promotion of conservation practices on cropland. Special emphasis is placed on conservation tillage and residue management. This application must fully completed and requires no narrative to be considered for this award.
An award winner will be selected from each area. Area award winners will be recognized at the summer meeting. An overall state winner will be selected and will receive an award at the MACD Annual Meeting in January. This year’s MACD Annual meeting will be January 22-23, 2020, at the Hilton in Jackson, MS.
Outstanding Livestock Environmental Stewardship Award
Application Guidance
The MACD Livestock Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes livestock producers whose natural resource stewardship practices contribute to the environment, while enhancing productivity and profitability. This is an opportunity to nominate a livestock producer and assist the industry in presenting a positive story about the livestock producers’ contributions to the environment.
Outstanding Wildlife Conservationist
The objective is to stimulate interest in recognizing, preserving, and improving wildlife habitat by landowners, farmers and land users. The award is judged based upon a written narrative of the nominee’s activities.
Outstanding Woodland Conservation District
The objective is to encourage Soil and Water Conservation Districts to plan and carry out woodland conservation programs by recognizing districts with exceptional woodland conservation programs. The award is based upon a written narrative of the nominated district’s activities.
Conservation Education Teacher Award
The objective is to create an awareness and appreciation of the value of conservation education and to stimulate efforts by teachers to advance the wise use, protection and enhancement of the nation’s soil, water and related resources. The program is designed to recognize educators in Grades K-6 and Grades 7-12 for conservation efforts. 2019 MACD TEACHER OF THE YEAR K6 2019 MACD TEACHER OF THE YEAR 7-12
Friend of Conservation Award
This award recognizes the special relationship groups and businesses have with local Soil and Water Conservation District or the state association. This award recognizes winners who “go the extra mile” in support of conservation through local districts. Double-click link, open Microsoft Word file and select “enable editing” to fill out form. MACD 2019 Friend of Conservation Award
Outstanding Membership Drive Award
The objective is to recognize the Soil and Water Conservation Districts who have conducted membership drives as a means of financing district and MACD operations. Awards are made according to the amount of contributions to the MACD.
Newsletter Award
This competition highlights exceptional newsletters published by Soil and Water Conservation Districts throughout the state. The district winning newsletter will be recognized and presented an award at the MACD Annual Meeting in January. This year’s MACD Annual meeting will be January 22-23, 2020, at the Hilton in Jackson, MS. Double-click link, open Microsoft Word file and select “enable editing” to fill out form.
Photo Awards
MACD sponsors a photo contest that provides participants the opportunity for recognition of their photographic skills, and for their favorite photo to be included in a slide show at the MACD Annual Meeting in January. The theme of the photo contest is the annual Soil Stewardship Week Theme and should highlight that theme. This year’s MACD Annual meeting will be January 22-23, 2020, at the Hilton in Jackson, MS. Double-click link, open Microsoft Word file and select “enable editing” to fill out form. MACD 2019 Photo Contest Guidelines
Conservation Poster and Essay Awards
The objective is to recognize the students whose posters or written essays best illustrate the use and conservation of natural resources, with emphasis on making the earth a better place to live, work and play. The national theme for posters and essays changes annually and is established by the National Association of Conservation Districts. Essay award categories are Grades: 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12. Poster award categories are Grades: Kindergarten-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and Special Education. Awards are presented at MACD’s Annual meeting in January. This year’s MACD Annual meeting will be January 22-23, 2020, at the Hilton in Jackson, MS.
MACD CONTEST Packet 1 Poster Essay Teacher of the Year 2019