PACD Receives First "Partner in Progress Award"

The first "Partner in Progress" award was presented to the PACD by Dennis Wolff, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture at the annual farm show dinner on Friday, January 9, 2004.

The new award recognizes organizations or individuals who exemplify the theme "making progress with our partners."

"The PACD is honored to accept the "Partners in Progress" award on behalf of Pennsylvania's conservation districts. Conservation districts lead the way in partnering with federal, state, and local governments, and other organizations and entities to protect and improve our natural resources," said PACD Executive Director Susan Marquart.

PA Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff, Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, PACD President Jarrett Miller, PACD Executive Director Susan Fox Marquart and PA State Conservation Commission Executive Secretary Karl Brown at the annual Farm Show Dinner.

Conservation districts partner with local governments to accomplish local projects that have a significant impact on agriculture and the environment. "Conservation district accomplishments are made possible by two groups of people. The first group is the 500 district directors who are appointed public officers who serve without pay. The second group of people are more than 600 dedicated professionals who serve as county conservation district staff across the state. Conservation district staff provide the technical assistance to implement many programs and are supported by partnering organizations," said PACD President Jarrett Miller upon accepting the award.