Stewart County Soil & Water Conservation District

09/04/2026

Here are some more photos of our Stewart County Crew in action at the Soil/Land Judging event in Montgomery County yesterday! It’s always a great event and great practice to get them ready for the regionals!

09/04/2026

It was a hot one, but we had a great day helping with the Soil/Land Judging Competition in Montgomery County today! We loved seeing our Stewart County group out there! Thank you everyone that worked together to make it happen today and great job to all the teams!

09/04/2026

Beginning tomorrow, Tennessee landowners can apply for a new program designed to help preserve working farms and forests for generations to come.

The Preserving Land for Agriculture Now (PLAN) program supports the permanent conservation of agricultural and forest land through conservation easements while allowing continued farming and forestry activities.

Created through the Farmland Preservation Act, PLAN helps protect productive land, support Tennessee agriculture and forestry, and strengthen the long-term future of working lands across the state.

The first PLAN application period opens Sept. 1 and closes Jan. 8, 2027.

Applications must be submitted jointly by all parcel owners and a qualified easement holder.

Learn more about eligibility, program requirements and how to apply: https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/heritage/preserving-land-for-agriculture-now--plan-.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawUDyMlwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUZXakhVZXh0U29tSDFGeU5zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe7A52gWfCsmymMVMJHVgo4FyEs1UErhPX-5RQvTAqJVwXiadGqAmluLtt7P8_aem_4JNU8wdTz_kGrR6nqmcpLw

08/26/2026

Dolly Parton didn't just come from the mountains of East Tennessee. She carried them in her heart.

Dolly spoke and sang about the land that raised her with a deep sense of love and belonging. The Smokies were part of her story, their mountains, forests and natural beauty inspiring her music and shaping the way she shared Tennessee with the world.

That love showed in how she gave back. She lent her voice to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, encouraged others to care for the land, and when wildfire devastated the mountains and communities she loved, she was there for her neighbors. She described the Smokies as “sacred ground” and believed deeply in taking care of what we’ve been given.

At TDEC, we know the places we protect are more than land on a map. They shape our stories, our communities and who we become. Few people showed that connection between people and place quite like Dolly.

Thank you, Dolly, for loving this land and for helping the world love it, too. 🦋

📸: Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park - Flag Pond, TN

08/26/2026

We are so excited that we are going to be hosting Regional Envirothon Competition in Stewart County this year at Pine Ridge Farm! It is always one of favorite events to help with!

As you prepare for a new school year, consider giving your students an opportunity to take learning beyond the classroom. 🌎🌿

Envirothon connects high school students with real-world conservation challenges through hands-on learning and friendly competition. It’s a chance to spark curiosity, build confidence, and introduce students to careers in natural resources while helping them develop skills they’ll carry with them long after graduation.

Interested in starting your own Envirothon team? Your first step is to contact your state/provinces representative. They can provide the information you need to start a team in your area!

https://bit.ly/4bvcr1w

08/07/2026

During National Water Quality Month, we’re celebrating the connection between healthy soils and clean water.

Conservation practices like cover crops, reduced tillage, irrigation water management, and nutrient management can help increase water infiltration, reduce runoff, and keep valuable soil on the land and out of nearby streams. When producers invest in soil health, they’re also investing in cleaner water and more resilient working lands.

Learn more about how NRCS can work with producers to improve water quality while supporting productive farms and ranches by visiting a USDA Service Center in your area.

08/07/2026

Each state is different and has different needs. You cannot apply a blanket fix across the nation. This is a key example of why it is so important that conservation is LOCALLY led! 🙂💚

08/06/2026

08/03/2026

MONTGOMERY AND SURROUNDING AREAS...

Have livestock and love innovative tips/tricks?
Looking for ways to save money and improve animal health?
Interested in funding assistance for conservation smart practices?

RESERVE YOUR SPOT SOON!! This is a limited attendance workshop! (appropriate footwear suggested) :)

Lunch provided - 8 am - 12noon
https://forms.gle/dd1xBWn3d66QsBQL6

Montgomery County, Tennessee
UT TSU Montgomery County Extension
Tennessee Department of Agriculture

07/29/2026

Happy 80 years to the National Association of Conservation Districts! 80 yrs of making sure that boots get on the ground to preserve this beautiful land that we love!

Happy 80th Anniversary, NACD!

It was on this day in 1946 that 19 conservation district leaders met in Chicago and formed the National Association of Soil Conservation District Governing Officials. The name was shortened to NACD in 1962.

What E.C. McArthur, the association's first president, said in 1946 about the purpose of districts and NACD still rings true in our work today.