The NC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts' Outstanding Conservation Farm Family award recognizes farmer and farm families who are actively taking the initiative to implement sound, innovative and cost-effective conservation techniques, and are actively involved in conservation education.

Every year the division helps judge farms entered in the association's competition. Subject matter experts from federal and state agencies, NC State University, farm organizations and association members choose area and regional winners before selecting the state level Outstanding Conservation Farm Family.

The division helps organize a celebration event to recognize the family and the soil and water conservation district that partners with the family to implement conservation practices on the farm. This event draws hundreds of people including the Commissioner of Agriculture, elected and appointed officials, local businesses, members of the conservation partnership and the farm family's guests.

Photos courtesy of USDA NRCS

Competition judging criteria include:

• Conservation activities
• Stewardship
• Community leadership
• Education
• Conservation knowledge

Factual evidence of effective conservation techniques must be available for review and fall within the following categories - soil resource management, water resource management and pollution impact management. The entire operation, including livestock and property that is owned, rented or operated by the contestant must be considered in the application.

State winners must agree to allow their farm to be used for demonstrational purposes to inform others of their outstanding conservation achievements.

For more information, contact the association's Executive Director, Bryan Evans at ncaswcd@gmail.com.