In April of 2016, Supervisors attending the regional annual meeting for Area II conservation districts in Clay County raised our hands and offered to host in 2017. We are excited to bring Supervisors and leaders from all over Florida to Duval County! 
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Leaders from 17 conservation districts are invited for a farm tour, individual district reports, and agency updates that will impact the region. Specifically, we will hear updates, highlights, and program reports from each Area II District that will allow other Districts to learn and improve our operations. Afterwards, reports from FDACS, SRWMD, SJRWMD and NRCS will update Supervisors about conservation spending and other programs in 2017 that we need to be aware of.  Thank you to our list of speakers:

• Allen Skinner, Soil Life Consultant Candidate, Sponsor
• Russell Morgan, State Conservationist, Natural Resource Conservation Service 
• Clegg Hooks, Environmental Administrator, Office of Agricultural Water Policy
• (FDACS)
• Suzanne Archer, Technical Program Coordinator, Agricultural Assistance Team
• (SJRWMD)  
• Hugh Thomas, Senior Project Manager, (SRWMD)  
• Andy Jackson, Area II President (AFCD)
• Charlene Richburg, State Coordinator (AFCD)

However, we are beyond excited to feature Duval County at this meeting. All guests are invited to attend a private tour of White Harvest Farm and Farmers Market operated by the Clara White Mission that works to train homeless veterans and low-income individuals for employment through industry-specific job skills - agriculture. Afterwards, lunch is catered by Ashley Street Catering, also a Clara White Mission job program, featuring produce from White Harvest Farm.  

Area II Annual Meeting Agenda

• Farm Tour (10:00-11:00 a.m.)

​White Harvest Farm, Free

• Lunch, Duval County Introduction and Individual District Reports (11:30-1:30)

Riverside North, Cost $20 per person

• Area II Annual Meeting (1:30-3:30) Riverside North, FREE, Suggested $5 per person
• Speech Contest (4:00-5:00 p.m.) Riverside North, FREE, Suggested $5 per person

Register to attend online.  Or, mail a Registration form to on or before April 14, 2017. 

DUVAL SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
260 US 301 North, Baldwin, FL 32234
Tel (904) 266-0088 Fax (904) 266-4858

See the full event agenda here

Last, following the farm tour, lunch and annual meeting, stick around to hear from the best and brightest students as they deliver a 5-7 minute speech during the Regional Speech Contest. Duval County is still accepting entry for our local contest. Posters will also be on display. ​

We hope you will join us at the Association of Florida Conservation Districts Area II Annual Meeting hosted in Duval County! 

Each year the Duval County Soil and Water Conservation District hosts a speech contest for area 6th-12th graders. The  winner of the Duval County contest receives a cash prize, plus one student will get an invite to compete regionally and statewide.

This year, we are expanding to host a poster contest for K-12. The topic for both competitions is "Healthy Soils are Full of Life" and speeches are to be no more than 5-7 minutes. Independent research on the topic works to further educate students in conservation and natural resources, while public speaking provides a host of additional benefits. Artistic skills are called on for the poster contest, and all ages are encouraged to participate. 
 
We hope that you, a friend, a relative or a student you know will consider entering in the 2017 annual Joe B. Forshee, Jr. Speech Contest and Poster Contest for Duval County. 

Entry Deadline: March 10, 2017.
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Speech Contest: Rules, Intent to Compete
Poster Contest: Rules, Intent to Compete

Duval Soil and Water Conservation District
"Joe B. Forshee, Jr. Speech Contest"
March 15, 2017, 6:00 p.m., 
Duval Ag Extenstion Office, 1010 N. McDuff Ave,, Jacksonville, FL 32254

Intent to Compete Form is REQUIRED
Contact Paula Allen, (904)266-0088 ext. 114,
with questions. ​

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