Southeast National Association of Conservation District Hall of Fame Recipients
Two distinguished Alabama conservation leaders receive national recognition. Dr. Richard Guthrie from Bullock County and Barnett King from Crenshaw County were officially inducted into the Southeast Region National Association of Conservation Districts Hall of Fame Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, in Cherokee, North Carolina.
Alabama’s delegate to NACD and board member, Dr. Carol Knight, presented the honors at a luncheon and ceremony that coincided with the SE NACD annual meeting at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, July 31-Aug. 2.
|
From top, Dr. Richard Guthrie, Bullock County Supervisor, and Barnett King, with plaque, Crenshaw County Supervisor, were inducted into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 1, 2016. |
||
“The Alabama Association of Conservation Districts is fortunate to have many distinguished members, but these two stood out to be deserving of this honor this year. Both have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the wise use of natural resources, conservation education and promoting agriculture in our state,” Knight said.
From his childhood raised on a cattle farm, through his pursuit of education and a career, to today, Guthrie has devoted his life to conservation. With a doctorate in Soil Science, he retired from a 20-year career as a Natural Resources Conservation Service soil scientist and later led Auburn University’s College of Agriculture as Dean. He sat for five years on the Soil & Water Conservation Committee and currently chairs the Bullock County Conservation District.
At age 90, King continues 31 years of active service as a Crenshaw County Conservation District Supervisor, and a lifelong commitment, professionally and personally, to conservation. King served as president of the AACD and the SWCC, and was a charter member of TREASURE Forest. In 2002, he was named National Tree Farmer of the Year. Today, King and his wife manage their farm and an 87-acre nature trail and outdoor classroom for conservation education activities.
Guthrie and King were joined by their families to accept the honor.
AACD is the unified voice of all 67 conservation districts across the state. Organized as a 501(c)(3), AACD is dedicated to cooperating with the Alabama Soil & Water Conservation Committee; supporting programs and services that conserve, enhance, and protect Alabama’s vast natural resources; and informing policy makers at the state and federal level about natural resources issues.
Conservation districts work hand in hand with NRCS to secure funding and technical assistance for landowners and farmers.
