About the Award
Each year, the National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) honors producers and conservation planners from within the NCPP partnership who have exemplified outstanding service through their conservation efforts. The award honors the legacy of Hugh Hammond Bennett, an early soil conservationist whose methods shaped many of the conservation techniques we use today.
Most Recent Winners
2025 Conservation Producer Recipient: Jeff and Jolene Steffen
2025 Conservation Planner Recipient: Shane Jordan
Background
Hugh Hammond Bennett: The Father of Soil Conservation
Hugh Hammond Bennett was a pioneer in the field of soil conservation. After spending years tirelessly advocating for solutions to the problem of soil erosion, which he called a “national menace,” Bennett influenced the passage of the Soil Conservation Act of 1935. This established the Soil Conservation Service, now known as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Bennet served as its chief until he retired in 1951.
Learning from the Land: From the Farm to Conservation Leadership
Bennett grew up on a farm in North Carolina in the late 1800s. As he worked the land with his father, he learned farming techniques that his father said were intended “to keep the soil from washing away,” lessons that stuck with Bennett throughout his life. After he graduated from the University of North Carolina, Bennett worked as a soil surveyor for the USDA. As he conducted soil studies in the United States and around the world, he became convinced that soil erosion was a problem not only for the individual farmer but also for rural economies.
Bennett believed that single practices, such as the terracing of land, would not succeed without a comprehensive program to address numerous concerns about the natural resources on farmland. It was this premise that led to the concept of conservation planning.
Conservation farming meant rearranging the operations of the farm in the interest of both productivity and natural resource conservation. Soil conservationists worked on the land, directly with farmers, to develop conservation plans that could achieve both of these goals. Those principles still guide us and our partners today through the NCPP. Learn more about Bennett in this documentary.
Award Eligibility
The National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) will select regional winners from each of the seven designated regions. The winners of the regional awards will be submitted as nominees for the national awards.
Producer Award
This award is presented to a producer who demonstrates a commitment to conservation planning, pioneers new opportunities, exhibits civic engagement and leadership in the community, and adopts and advocates methods for soil health.
Who Is Eligible?
Any producer working with any of the NCPP partner organizations on conservation planning or implementation of a conservation plan is eligible for the producer award.
Note: The local field office staff that provides assistance to the producer will also receive recognition. Please include a list of the individuals to be recognized on the producer nomination form.
Conservation Planner Award
This award is given to an individual who demonstrates a high standard of conservation planning and implementation for customers, a dedication to training others, and is active in professional conservation organizations.
Who Is Eligible?
All NCPP partnership employees are eligible for the individual conservation planner award. Partner organizations are those recognized by NCPP at the national, state, or local level.
Note: TSPs are not eligible for this award.
Submit A Nomination
Nominations are open July 1 to September 1.
Please provide detailed narratives in each section for the evaluators to effectively assess each candidate’s accomplishments.
Prior to submitting a nomination, please notify your respective NCPP state partner leader to prevent duplicating efforts.
Evaluation & Scoring
Both regional and national review teams consisting of two representatives from each of our partner organizations will evaluate nominations and submit scores for each nominee using our points evaluation system. Partner leaders will then use the same scoring system to determine national winners.
Evaluation and Scoring Criteria for Producer Award
Commitment to Conservation (0-10 points)
Nominee shall have a current conservation plan and demonstrate commitment to following and monitoring their plan.
Civic Engagement (0-10 points)
Nominee demonstrates commitment to civic engagement and service at the local, state or national level. Civic engagement could be through elected or appointed service to a local soil and water conservation district; a resource conservation and development council; a local or state government body; or membership or service in other local, state or national organizations.
Pioneer New Approaches to Conservation Planning and Implementation (0-10 points)
Nominee shall embrace and incorporate into their management strategy new and innovative conservation planning tools (i.e., Field Print Calculator, 4-R Nutrient Stewardship, etc.)
Advancement of Soil Health Adoption (0-10 points)
Nominees not only have adopted soil health practices on their own land or operation but have also championed soil health through a variety of community outreach and educational activities.
Evaluation and Scoring Criteria for Conservation Planner Award
Communication (0-5 points)
Provide details of the nominee’s ability to communicate effectively and cultivate personal and professional relationships with diverse groups of farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, state, local and tribal government officials, non-profit organizations and businesses relative to conservation planning and implementation techniques.
Relations (0-5 points)
Describe the nominee’s working relationships and development of partnerships with diverse groups of farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, state, local and tribal government officials, non-profit organizations and businesses relative to conservation planning and implementation techniques.
Education and Training (0-10 points)
Describe the nominee’s accomplishments in youth and/or adult education and training of others in conservation planning and implementation techniques including other staff, partners, local farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The nominee should also demonstrate a commitment to professional development.
Application of Conservation Planning and Implementation (0-10 points)
Describe the nominee’s assistance and technical contributions that have led to the application of outstanding conservation planning, implementation, and monitoring techniques demonstrating innovation on a variety of land uses to address local resource concerns to improve environmental performance.
Complexity of Work and Mix of Achievements (0-15 points)
Describe the nominee’s work complexity and highlight the mix of accomplishments in each type of activity. The write up should illustrate the nominee’s commitment to and responsibilities in conservation planning and implementation of techniques to address resource concerns to improve environmental performance.
Professional Activities (0-5 points)
Describe the nominee’s activities and involvement with professional conservation organizations that have assisted the nominee in achieving outstanding application of conservation planning and implementation techniques, such as, but not limited to, the Soil and Water Conservation Society, Society of American Foresters, Ecological Restoration Society, The Wildlife Society, Society for Rangeland Management, American Society of Agronomy and American Forage and Grassland Council, etc.
National winners will be notified in advance and formally recognized each year at the National Association of Conservation Districts’ Annual Meeting.
