We are pleased to partner with the St. Johns River Water Management District to increase awareness about the importance of water conservation. See the full proclamation below.
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Urban Agriculture Coordinator
Estimated Hours – 25 per week

Duval Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD) is an at-large elected board of five supervisors, with no party affiliation. The DSWCD organized by concerned citizens of Duval County to help landowners and users to conserve land, water, forests, wildlife and related natural resources.
 
Position Description:
The Urban Agriculture Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of DSWCD’s Regeneration Park project. Regeneration Park is a green infrastructure and community stewardship project which will create a safe space on public land within an underrepresented community to demonstrate urban agriculture, cultivate environmental stewardship and empower residents to build with nature for social, economic and environmental health.
 
Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead events, educational workshops and people.
• Manage grant materials, program implementation and evaluation.
• Keep track of the progression of work and provide guidance to team members.
• Coordinate with local governmental agencies, organizations and partners.
• Research prospective funding opportunities and direct grant writing efforts and solicitation of project sponsors.
• Provide professional organization for maximum efficiency and effectiveness of resources.
• Conduct administrative tasks, including systems and data management.
• Maintain financial accounting, documentation, and storage.
• Provide written bi-monthly progress reports
• Report to Board Chair

Required Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of experience in urban agriculture or natural resources conservation.
• Experience in event/program coordination.
• Experience in data and systems management.
• A sincere commitment to the vision and mission of DSWCD.
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
• Experience and demonstrated cultural competence working with diverse communities.
• Ability to work independently, effectively manage projects, and meet deadlines.
• Thoughtful approach to work, with a desire to solve problems.
• Proficient in MS Office, Google platforms, data management software, and social media platforms.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends for events.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate or Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated grant writing competence.
• Demonstrated project management experience.

Physical Demands:

• Requires ability to work remotely with occasional visits to local parks and businesses.
• Requires ability to install plants and use garden tools alongside volunteers.
• Requires ability to use computers, telephones, and other office equipment.
• Requires ability to speak audibly and listen actively.

Other duties:
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor, in compliance with Federal and State laws. Strict adherence to the Sunshine Law is required. At no time will this position replicate or duplicate duties the supervisors are required to perform themselves, but will aid in the effective functioning of this elected agency through communication, research, and coordination. The board meets once a month at the Duval County Extension Office. All other meetings are available via Zoom teleconference. All meetings are noticed and open to the public.
 
Note: This position has a 60-day trial period.

Send resume and letter of interest to DSWCD Board of Supervisors at duvalswcd@gmail.com.

Deadline: April 16, 2021

For our March Volunteer of the Month, we would like to recognize Nassau Senior Forester James (Jim) Tootle. Jim is an avid supporter of the Fred B. Miller, Jr. Regional Envirothon and has mentored hundreds of high school students in environmental science as they have participated in our annual competition​. His dedication as a friend of the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District and his willingness to volunteer each year do not go unnoticed! We are grateful that he works hard to impart to the next generation his hard-earned wisdom from his many years as a county forester. 

​More about Jim:

• Serves thousands of people each year in fire prevention and educational outreach events in Nassau County
• Provides landowners, schools, the public, and local governments with access to expert forestry knowledge and management advice
• Works to increase knowledge, enhance forest health and support forest sustainability
• 20 years of timber procurement experience in private industry 
• Protects and manages the forest resources of Florida, ensuring they are available for future generations

Jacksonville, FL — Duval Soil and Water Conservation District announced today the opening of applications for its 2021 Start Farming Mentorship program which will support new farmers by providing tours of local farm operations and onsite workshops about sustainable practices, including water conservation, composting and permaculture. The year-long program, made possible by a $2,500 grant award from the National Association of Conservation Districts and volunteer mentors, will select 15 applicants to explore farming opportunities in Duval County.

“In an urban district like ours, new farmers often have not grown up on the farm, so it is essential that they have mentors to provide advice and guidance,” said Jennifer Casey, Chair. “Beginning farmers will now have the opportunity to explore diverse farm operations and learn how sustainable regenerative solutions like composting, permaculture and rainwater catchment can help them overcome some of the challenges of starting a farming endeavor.”

Over the course of the year, participants will take guided tours of four farms, from an urban farm in a food dessert to a rural commercial operation. In addition, each will receive a Sustainable Solutions Kit valued at over $150 which will include resources for water conservation, a compost kit, and seed to attract beneficial pollinators. Beyond the training, participants will network with the local agricultural community and with agency personnel offering conservation funding assistance to growers and producers.
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The Start Farming Mentorship program is open to new farmers who reside in Duval County and are interested in starting a farm business. Preference will be given to past attendees of the District’s annual Start Farming events. Applications are only accepted online at duvalsoilandwater.com and must be submitted by March 15, 2021.

​Note: The 2-hour workshops will be facilitated by Duval SWCD and partners which include Apple Rabbit Compost and NativeJax Permaculture Design. Questions? Email duvalswcd@gmail.com.

About Duval Soil and Water Conservation District
For over 67 years, Duval Soil and Water Conservation District has promoted responsible management and conservation of natural resources by delivering conservation technology and education to local landowners and users and promoting the wise use of land and best management practices that will conserve, improve and sustain the natural resources of Duval County.

Photo Credits (Abundant Harvest Farms & Edible Northeast Florida

Read the article:
​ Farming mentorship program offers move toward self-sufficiency during pandemic - First Coast News

​WASHINGTON – The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Second Vice President Kim LaFleur announced the 2021 recipients of the Friends of NACD District Grants program during NACD’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting on February 9th.

The Friends of NACD program was established in 2009 to support the nation’s nearly 3,000 conservation districts through cash donations to NACD.

Now in its second round of funding, the Friends of NACD District Grants program is an initiative of the NACD District Operations and Member Services (DOMS) Committee that enables a portion of funds raised through individual donations in support of locally-led conservation to be awarded to four conservation district projects of up to $2,500 each.

“Last year, in our inaugural district grants program, we were able to help support conservation districts from across the country,” LaFleur said. “We’re excited to offer a second round of funding, knowing that our conservation districts thrive on this partnership.”

The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District in Florida will begin a farming mentorship program to support new farmers by providing tours of diverse farm operations and onsite workshops about sustainable practices, including water conservation, composting and permaculture.

The Catoosa County Conservation District in Georgia will host a rain barrel workshop to encourage and promote residential water conservation.

In Connecticut, the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District will develop land owned by the conservation district into an outdoor conservation showcase and education center for area residents, schools, students, and conservation volunteers and professionals.

The Beaver County Conservation District in Oklahoma will commemorate the devastating March 7, 2020 wildfire with a one-day “block party”-style event, using speakers, vendors, demonstrations, games and entertainment to encourage community residents to participate in wildfire prevention and learn how to prepare themselves when wildfire strikes again.

“We have seen how these district grants help support locally-led conservation delivery in communities across the nation,” LaFleur said. “NACD is proud to support our members in expanding their reach and advancing their mission.”

Learn more about the district grants program on NACD’s website.

About the National Association of Conservation Districts:
The National Association of Conservation Districts is the nonprofit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, their state and territory associations and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For more than 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. For more information about NACD, visit: www.nacdnet.org.