Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts held their annual spring meeting in Logan County

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. (WBKO) - This morning, the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts held its annual spring meeting at the Logan County Extension Office. Representatives from the 14 counties that make up KACD Area 2 were in attendance to share information and ideas concerning Kentucky agriculture and environmental issues. Kentucky has 9 conservation areas.

“There’s a great partnership of resource agencies that will go give us reports today. Then at the end of the day, we’ll have to call resolutions and that’s where these local districts submit issues or concerns that we need to address at the state level,” said Steve Coleman, KACD Secretary and Treasurer.

In addition to a recap of KACD’s previous year, the information included updates and resources from state agencies, including Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, Kentucky Division of Forestry, and Kentucky Division of Water.

“These events or these meetings like this is a great chance to reflect on the successes that have been achieved, but also to plan and to discuss great opportunities going forward. So, we want to have Kentucky be the nationwide leader when it comes to Environmental Protection, conservation improvements, and just overall a healthy and robust agricultural economy,” said Eric Allness, the State Conservationist through the United States Department of Agriculture.

The information presented at the meeting will be used by the districts to improve or change their local conservation programs.

“All of us learning during this session is kind of a training session for us as district supervisors again to hear the reports from these agencies. So, we know what is available to take back to our community and draw on those resources to help our landowners,” Coleman said.

The advantage of focusing on all of Kentucky’s landscapes and wildlife instead of individual properties and landowners allows the district to draft policies that benefit all Kentuckians.

“Stewardship of the land is something that we hold dear and so as good stewards we realize that, you know, we need to take this information back and and use it in a way that helps us. So it’s something that’s just beneficial all the way around to our, to our local areas,” said Ted Jessup, Muhlenberg County Conservation District Supervisor, serving as KACD State Vice President.

Lunch at the event was prepared by the Logan County Cattlemen’s Association.

The State Conservation District meeting for all 121 conservation districts will be held in Louisville from July 14-16.

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