(Ankeny, Iowa – June 12, 2024) The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) would like to congratulate the winners of the 2024 SWCS awards and scholarships. Awards are presented annually to individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in advocating and advancing the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. All winners will be recognized at the 79th SWCS International Annual Conference Awards Luncheon on July 23, 2024, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Additional information about each recognition can also be found at www.swcs.org/awards.
The Hugh Hammond Bennett Award, the Society’s most prestigious award, recognizes extraordinary accomplishments in the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources.
The 2024 Hugh Hammond Bennett Award is presented to Peter Kleinman for his significant and widely recognized contributions to the conservation of natural resources. Throughout his research career and in his work with the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), Dr. Kleinman has been recognized as a leader in phosphorus fate, transport, and management and has worked with broad coalitions of stakeholders and policymakers to minimize agriculture's environmental footprint in sensitive water bodies, such as the Chesapeake Bay.
He spent ten years as the Research Leader for the Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Unit at University Park, Pennsylvania, where the research unit was recognized as one of the most prolific locations for USDA ARS working on natural resources endeavors. He has been Research Leader for the last three years at the USDA ARS Soil Management and Sugar Beet Research Unit in Ft. Collins, Colorado.
Dr. Kleinman also served on the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation (JSWC) Editorial Board for 19 years, served on the Science and Policy Committee, was recognized as an SWCS Fellow in 2014, received the President’s Leadership Award in 2013, and received several awards for papers published in JSWC. Throughout his career, Dr. Kleinman has exhibited tremendous leadership qualities in bringing together stakeholders from diverse viewpoints to build consensus that drives action. He is a well-deserving recipient of the Hugh Hammond Bennet Award.
The Society Fellow Awards are given in recognition of SWCS members who have performed exceptional service in advocating the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. Fellowship is an honor bestowed upon the best in the conservation profession. This year’s Fellow awardees are -
- Andrew Manale, Maryland
- Robert Myers, Missouri
- Timothy Randhir, Massachusetts
Additional awards presented in 2024 are listed below:
Conservation Innovation Award
In recognition of an outstanding activity, product, or service by a group, business, firm, corporation, or organization that promotes natural resource conservation.
- Ecological Design Group, Inc., Arkansas
- One Good Idea, Wisconsin
Conservation Professional of the Year Award
In recognition of outstanding accomplishments in practicing and advancing the science and art of natural resource conservation.
- Paul Overby, North Dakota
Conservation Research Award
In recognition of Society members or teams of members whose research has led to exceptional improvements in soil conservation, water conservation, and/or related natural resources research.
- Kevin King, Ohio
- Shannon Osborne, South Dakota
- Kevin Sedivec, North Dakota
- Udayakumar Sekaran, Oregon
Harold and Kay Scholl Excellence in Conservation Award
In recognition of individuals who work on the ground to provide direct and personal delivery or conservation planning and technical assistance.
- Jill Kostel, Illinois
Society Service Award
In recognition of Society members for service to their chapter or to the Society.
- Marisol Berti, North Dakota
- Corey Brubaker, Nebraska
- Darwin Hinrichs, Nebraska
- Daniel Wallace, Georgia
Chair’s Leadership Award
In recognition of exemplary assistance in helping to carry out the goals and objectives of the Soil and Water Conservation Society.
- Iowa SWCS Chapter
- Candace Spencer
- The SWCS Science and Policy Committee
Best Research Paper for Impact and Quality Award
In recognition of the impact and quality of the following research paper:
Hively, W.D., S. Lee, A.M. Sadeghi, G.W. McCarty, B.T. Lamb, A. Soroka, J. Keppler, I.-Y. Yeo, and G.E. Moglen. 2020. Estimating the effect of winter cover crops on nitrogen leaching using cost-share enrollment data, satellite remote sensing, and Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) modeling. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 75(3):362-375. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.75.3.362.
Best Research Paper for Impact and Quality Honorable Mention
In recognition of the impact and quality of the following research papers:
Edwards, B.L., N.P. Webb, D.P. Brown, E. Elias, D.E. Peck, F.B. Pierson, C.J. Williams, and J.E. Herrick. 2019. Climate change impacts on wind and water erosion on US rangelands. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 74(4):405-418. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.74.4.405.
Editor's Choice Award Winner
In recognition of the following article of excellence appearing in the "A" Section of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation in the previous year:
Mark R. Williams, Stanley J. Livingston, Lisa F. Duriancik, Dennis C. Flanagan, Jim Frankenberger, Robert B. Gillespie, Javier M. Gonzalez, Chi-hua Huang, Chad J. Penn, Douglas R. Smith, and Chris S. Renschler. 2023. Twenty years of conservation effects assessment in the St. Joseph River watershed, Indiana. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 78(1):12A-19A. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2023.1204A.
Editor's Choice Honorable Mentions
In recognition of the following articles of excellence appearing in the “A” Section of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation in the previous year:
Jeffrey E. Herrick, Jonathan M. Maynard, Brandon T. Bestelmeyer, Chelsea J. Carey, Shawn W. Salley, Keith Shepherd, Zachary P. Stewart, Skye A. Wills, and Feras M. Ziadat. 2023. Practical guidance for deciding whether to account for soil variability when managing for land health, agricultural production, and climate resilience. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 78(6):125A-133A. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2023.0706A.
Don Reicosky, David Brandt, Randall Reeder, Rattan Lal, and David R. Montgomery. 2023. Plowing: Dust storms, Conservation Agriculture, and need for a "Soil Health Act." Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 78(5):105A-108A. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2023.0619A.
Associate Editor Excellence Award
In recognition of associate editors for their contributions to the success and development of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation.
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Claire Baffaut, Missouri
Exceptional Chapter Event Award
In recognition of chapters for significant achievements through a single activity conducted during the year.
- All Ohio Chapter Annual Meeting
- California/Nevada Chapter From the Dam to the Delta-Stewardship and Challenges 2023 Annual Conference
- Empire Chapter 2023 Annual Meeting
- Georgia Chapter Natural Resources Conservation Workshop
- Hoosier Chapter Beyond the Field, Wildlife and Habitat Considerations Winter Meeting
- Kansas Chapter Natural Resource Conference
- Michigan Chapter Anaerobic Digester Workshop and Tour
- Nebraska Chapter Annual SWCS State Meeting
- North Dakota Chapter Protecting the Soil: A Key to Resilient Cropping & Grazing Systems
- Southern New England Chapter Water Quality in New England Winter Conference
- University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Grazing and Aquaponics Farm Tour
Outstanding Chapter Award
In recognition of the chapter's success in carrying out its overall program during the past year.
- All Ohio Chapter
- Arizona Chapter
- California/Nevada Chapter
- Georgia Chapter
- Hoosier Chapter
- Hugh Hammond Bennett Chapter
- Iowa Chapter
- Kansas Chapter
- Michigan Chapter
- National Capital Chapter
- Nebraska Chapter
- New Mexico Chapter
- North Dakota Chapter
- Southern New England Chapter
Scholarship Recipients
Donald A. Williams Scholarship
Provides financial assistance to SWCS members who are currently employed but wish to improve their technical or administrative competence in a conservation-related field through coursework at an accredited college or through a program of special study.
- Courtney Strauser, Iowa
Kenneth E. Grant Scholarship
Provides financial aid to SWCS members for interdisciplinary graduate-level research on a conservation topic that will extend the SWCS mission of fostering the science and the art of soil, water, and related natural resource management research.
- Gagandeep Kaur, Washington
Melville H. Cohee Student Leader Conservation Scholarship
Provides financial assistance to SWCS members who are in their junior or senior year of full-time undergraduate study or are pursuing graduate-level studies with a natural resources conservation orientation at a properly accredited college or university.
- (Undergraduate) Paul Odewale, Nigeria
- (Graduate) Taylor Vroman, Iowa
WiN Awards
Women in NRCS (WiN) co-presents their awards at the SWCS Awards Luncheon. Congratulations to these winners!
WiN Conservationist of the Year Award
In recognition of an outstanding woman farmer/producer/
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Nancy Fisher, Nebraska
WiN Past President Award
In recognition and commendation of WiN’s Past President for the outstanding contributions made throughout the four-year WiN President track, encompassing a wide array of activities and responsibilities.
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Jeanne Hamilton, Oklahoma
WiN Individual Award of Excellence Recipient
In recognition of an individual who has contributed substantially and creatively to our Natural Resources Conservation profession. The recipient should exemplify excellence in a particular discipline and, possibly, multidiscipline efforts that promote excellence and creativity.
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Cheryl Rice, Ohio
WiN Group Award of Excellence Recipient
In recognition of a group who, over a period of time, have contributed substantially and creatively to our Natural Resources Conservation profession in a particular discipline and, possibly, multidiscipline efforts that promote excellence.
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In It to WiN It Committee (II2WI): April Wilson (Chair and Founder), Katy Brantley, Nicole Kubiczki, Hannah Isaacs, Halimah Wynn, Olivia LeGrange, Natalie Howe
WiN Outstanding Member Award
The highest recognition given by WiN members to one of their own members. The purpose of the award is to recognize excellence in professionalism and leadership as a WiN member. It is based on achievements in WiN over an extended period of years through participation and support of its mission.
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Katy Brantley, Arkansas
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About SWCS
For seventy-eight years, the Soil and Water Conservation Society has been the premier international organization for professionals who practice and advance the science and art of natural resource conservation. We believe sustainable land and water management is essential to the continued security of the earth and its people. Our goal is to cultivate an organization of informed, dynamic individuals whose contributions create a bright future for agriculture, the environment, and society. The Soil and Water Conservation Society is headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa, with chapters across the United States and Canada.
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Contact:
For more information, contact us at awards@swcs.org.