News & Notes February 2008

Meet the New PACD Treasurer

Ken Meck was elected PACD Treasurer at the PACD Winter Meeting in January. Ken has been a farmer director at Lancaster County Conservation District for almost ten years. He is also a member of PACD's Education and Outreach Committee and parliamentarian for PACD Executive Council meetings as needed.

"I see PACD as a viable association and hope to take it into the future so it will be a long time in existence to serve as a guardian of the environment," said Meck on his appointment as treasurer.

Already busy as a farmer who owns and operates a diversified operation with beef and pork livestock and pullets, Ken also is very involved with his community. In the past he served on the local school board for twenty years. Currently, Ken is a township supervisor for Strasburg Township, director at mid-Atlantic Farm Credit, and is co-treasurer and chair of commercial and educational exhibits at the West Lampeter Community Fair.

Ken is a member of the Reston Brethren in Christ Church. He and his wife had two daughters. Tragically, he lost a daughter to leukemia. The Mecks have three grandchildren.

PACD Receives Award from Department of Agriculture

More than 800 attendees, including local government officials, members of the General Assembly, and the Governor's cabinet enjoyed the Local Officials Day Luncheon at the Pennsylvania Farm Show on January 10. During the luncheon, Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff recognized PACD, and other organizations, for their efforts in supporting Pennsylvania's agriculture industry.

The award was to recognize PACD for their contributions to the PA Department of Agriculture's (PDA) Local Government Leadership Team. The purpose of the team is for PDA and local government organizations to work together, share information, solve mutual problems, and collaborate for the betterment of agriculture and local governments.

"PACD has been a key team member in helping to coordinate projects and efforts relating to land use issues, conservation issues, and state/federal programs which aim to bring dollars back to rural PA to help agriculture do more to protect the environment and make farming more profitable," said Mike Pechart, PDA's Executive Assistant/Policy Director.

PACD President Larry Kehl accepted the award plaque from Secretary Wolff.

Opportunity for Statewide Recognition

If you know someone who has had a positive impact on Pennsylvania's conservation districts in the past year, or a farmer working to protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, PACD wants to hear about it! PACD is accepting nominations for the 2008 Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award, Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director (or Associate Director) Excellence Award, and Conservation District Employee Excellence Award.

The Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award nominations are due February 28, 2008. Click on http://www.pacd.org/resources/cb/cwfa/default.htm for information and nomination forms for this award.

The Ann Rudd Saxman Conservation District Director (or Associate Director) Excellence Award and Conservation District Employee Excellence Award nominations are due April 30, 2008. Click on http://www.pacd.org/about/award_progr.htm to access information and applications for these award programs.

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