International SWCS Award Winners

Receiving one of only three Fellow Awards this year, Dr. John Gilley (SWCS member since 1983), of Lincoln, is a research agricultural engineer with USDA Agricultural Research Service and an adjunct professor with the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The designation of Fellow is conferred on society members who have performed exceptional service in advocating conservation of soil, water and related natural resources and is given for professional excellence, first and foremost. Professional achievement may be in practicing, investigating, administering, or teaching soil and water conservation or closely related fields.  A few of John’s accomplishments include quantifying critical upland hydraulic variables for the USDA Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model and developing the WEPP hydraulics model component. He also identified runoff and erosion benefits from land application of manure as well as determined setback distance requirements for land application areas. 

Claudia Stevenson (1987), of Ogallala, uses the mission of SWCS to guide her actions in the Nebraska Chapter. She was instrumental in starting, and served as the co-chair for eight years, the Farming Evolution — a two-day, multi-state conference in Holyoke, Colorado. This annual conference aims to educate landowners about the best practices for creating healthy soil. As both membership chair and president of the Nebraska Chapter, she has reached out to introduce members to one another through an ongoing campaign called “Spotlight on Members”, which is emailed to the membership. Membership participation is very important to Claudia. In 2023, she invited the entire chapter to attend a regular board meeting and 20 members participated in the virtual meeting. Claudia created a leadership handbook to guide the officers, board of directors and the chairs of committees and a workbook for annual tours and meetings, which is a guide for planning the annual state chapter meeting. She has also helped plan the last three state chapter meetings.

The Nebraska Chapter SWCS was one of 10 chapters given the Outstanding Chapter Award in recognition for the chapter’s success in carrying out its overall program during the past year. The chapter produces two newsletter editions a year, has an annual state meeting and a legislative/informational breakfast. The chapter’s Facebook is gaining regional and national attention. Chapter member spotlights are emailed to members, and the chapter’s historical archives are being digitized for broader use. The chapter supports the UNL Soil and Water Resources Club. It also supports two charitable foundations, one with the University of Nebraska Foundation and the other with the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Foundation — each providing student scholarships annually to deserving young conservationists. An annual golf tournament is held to raise funds for supporting the foundations and student scholarships

In addition, the Chapter received the Exceptional Event award for holding its annual legislative/informational meeting. This meeting was held in February 2023 in downtown Lincoln, where Rob Lawson, USDA NRCS state conservationist, presented on the various USDA programs available to landowners in Nebraska. These include Environmental Quality Incentives Programs (EQIP), Regional Conservation Partners Projects (RCCP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Lawson provided highlights for 2022 accomplishments and shared information about new NRCS initiatives for 2023. Five state senators, one legislative aid, 14 SWCS members and three scholarship recipients from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln were in attendance.

Jim Barr (1980), of Lincoln, was an aide to Congressman Doug Bereuter, and worked closely with state and national organizations, including SWCS. Most of his activities relating to the mission of SWCS were in the legislative realm. One of his main efforts centered on the conservation provisions of various farm bills from 1979 to 2001, including the 1985 Farm Bill, which included the Conservation Reserve Program. Jim was involved in the drafting the Groundwater Conservation Fund Act in the Nebraska Unicameral which later was broadened into the Water Conservation Fund. He also drafted the Groundwater Recharge Demonstration legislation, in the process working with the staffs of other members of House and Senate, as well as municipalities including Los Angeles and San Antonio. Jim also helped in coordinating support for re-authorization and appropriations for the Missouri River Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Program. Jim’s most recent effort was to coordinate the Nebraska Natural Resources District Oral History Project, a compilation of over 80 45-minute oral histories spanning former and current staff and leadership of all 23 NRDs and key individuals that helped ensure their formation.

Janet and Mike McDonald, Hickman, say the passion of stewardship, sustainability and community are foremost in their priorities. They strive to protect and enhance soil and water through diverse rotations and take steps annually to develop habitat for the wide range of life on their farm, both above  and below ground. They capture moisture and build organic matter through resilient rotations. Specifically through utilizing cereal grains, biological foliar amendments, and precision agriculture. In addition, they identify marginal acres for transitioning to perennials and developing synergistic nutrient cycling (using hairy vetch, Austrian peas and various clovers) to reduce inputs. Their most significant step is tailoring soil health and water quality work on the range of glaciated soils on their land in southeast Nebraska. Through many venues, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, No-Till on the Plains, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), their Peer Learning Community and other groups, they learn with others toward building community particularly in rural areas. They also regularly host field days and training events on their own farm, and were instrumental, along with UNL Extension, in developing five Peer Learning Communities in Nebraska for sustaining growth in the principles of soil health.