With One Voice: The National Association of Conservation Districts
R. Neil Sampson
Hardcover, 6x9 in, 340 pages, Illustrated
Wheatmark, December 2008
ISBN: 9781604941913
Endorsements
"As Neil Sampson's comprehensive and insightful history shows,
it's not enough merely to write national conservation policy
without grassroots effort to turn vision and goals into reality on
the land. NACD is effective and respected in both policy and
practice, and is trusted and worked with by the agriculture and
environmental communities. The success of federal conservation
initiatives is due in large part to NACD."
— Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman,
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
"With One Voice is a thorough analysis of the
conservation efforts in this country, covering the development and
implementation of conservation policy over the last several
decades, and the significant role the National Association of
Conservation Districts (NACD) has played in those efforts. As a
farmer myself, I understand the importance of conservation
districts and appreciate the support and commitment of NACD. Their
leadership has been essential to those of us who believe in the
wise use of our natural resources, and I look forward to continuing
to work with them in the future."
— Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK)
"Neil's book keeps reminding us of the distinct conservation
partnership between federal, state, and local that is enduring and
has positively changed the face of private lands in America. The
ability to utilize the technical expertise of the NRCS and ability
of conservation districts to engage the community and prioritize
the work that needs to be accomplished locally, regionally, and
nationally truly is unique. We need to be continually reminded of
this history lest we forget the great wisdom of that wonderful
system created seventy-plus years ago."
— Gary Mast, NACD Past President
"Neil Sampson brings a unique perspective to this history. Not
only is he a chronicler and historian of the events herein, he was
also an author and advocate of new conservation policies taking
shape from the 1970s onward. He knows the genesis of these
conservation innovations and their journeys from policy idea to
legislation, to rule-writing, and ultimately to implementation in
the field. With One Voice brings that perspective to life
for a new generation of conservationists."
— Douglas Helms, PhD, Agricultural
History
Description
Though Congress has consistently developed conservation programs in
recent years, it has also failed to provide the funding necessary
to accomplish its goals. As a result, achievements in protecting
America's land and water resources have been accompanied by
significant frustration and burnout on the part of employees and
volunteers. With One Voice tells the story of America's
national soil and water conservation efforts through the eyes of
the National Association of Conservation Districts, providing a
reference for people who seek to refine and implement these
programs.
Since 1980, five major farm bills have dramatically changed the
soil and water conservation program in the United States. From a
program based entirely on education, voluntary action, and
incentives aimed at assisting private landowners with
soil-conserving practices, regulatory elements have been added.
Long-term planning and contracting has largely replaced
single-practice approaches.
Soil and water conservation districts have changed in response.
These local, state-chartered organizations provide much of the
outreach to the farmers, ranchers, and forest owners that manage
two-thirds of America's land. As those landowners continue to face
new opportunities and challenges, conservation programs must
constantly adjust.
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has
also changed dramatically in twenty-five years. As personal
computers moved from novelty to essential tool, electronic
communications replaced printed materials, and political activity
in Washington became more partisan and divisive, NACD had to
adapt.
This book describes, in careful detail, how one organization has
tried to maintain a basic vision and commitment in the face of
tumultuous change. Readers who work with or within today's
conservation programs will gain needed insight into how those
programs emerged, and why they work the way they do today.
About the Author
R. Neil Sampson is president of the Sampson Group, Inc., a natural
resources consulting firm in Alexandria, Virginia. He is also an
adjunct professor at Virginia Tech's Northern Virginia Campus,
teaching public policy as it relates to private land conservation
programs. Mr. Sampson has published more than one hundred
scientific and popular articles on natural resource topics. His
books on soil conservation include Farmland or Wasteland: A Time
to Choose and For Love of the Land.
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