​Cars began lining up at 1:00 pm for the 3:00 pm free drive-thru food distribution held yesterday in the parking lot of the UF/IFAS Duval County Extension office at 1010 N. McDuff Ave. The event in partnership with Farm Share Jacksonville ended early because of the demand. With cars lining up hours ahead, organizers opened a little early, but were forced to close the queue and everything was distributed by 3:30 pm. Hundreds of families and individuals in need received produce, non-perishable foods, dairy and other items.
 
“The Coronavirus pandemic has affected our community in unprecedented ways. So many of our neighbors are hurting financially and struggling to provide the most basic necessities for their families. It was an honor for the board to join with other local organizations to assist our neighbors who are most in need,” said Hunter Anderson, Chairman of the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors.
 
Special thanks to our community partners:
• UF/IFAS Duval County Extension
• 4-H
• Farm Bureau Women’s Committee
• National Resources Conservation Service
• City of Jacksonville
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About Farm Share: Farm Share is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has worked daily for almost 30 years to make sure that food-insecure Floridians receive the food and support they need. In partnership with more than 2,000 food pantries, churches, schools and other nonprofits, Farm Share distributed more than 88 million pounds of food to more than 17.5 million households residing in all of Florida’s 67 counties last year. 

Check out the story on First Coast News! Food giveaway to be hosted in West Jacksonville Tuesday afternoon

In 2018, the Duval Soil & Water Conservation District launched its Conservation Teacher of the Year award. This award recognizes the work of any K-12 teacher in Duval County who has been involved in both education and action during the past year. The ideal candidate is a principled conservationist who educates students on natural resource conservation practices and initiates student action in their community or school in order to improve quality of life for Duval County residents.  All Duval County teachers who have participated in one of the District’s programs during the last year will be considered for recognition as our Conservation Teacher of the Year.  This year's deadline in August 30th.  Application

Past Winners:

2019 - Kendal Schmidt, Middle School Teacher at The Foundation Academy
Highlights: Participation Joe B. Forshee, Jr. Speech and Poster Contest, Monarch Waystation efforts and other student activities that include aquaponic farming and composting

2018 - Dr. Scott P. Sowell, Environmental Science Teacher at Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School
Highlights: Participation in Annual Fred B. Miller Envirothon and algae eutrophication experiments with his AP Environmental Science students. The District nominated Dr. Sowell for the Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board's Individual Environmental Achievement award, which he also won.