Monroe County Conservation District

06/17/2026

The Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District invite you to participate in our Local Working Group Meeting!

This is your opportunity to help identify the biggest conservation needs in Monroe County. Your input will help guide future conservation efforts, funding priorities, and educational programs for 2027 that benefit our farmers, landowners, forests, water resources, wildlife, and communities.

Local Working Groups bring together agricultural producers, private landowners, natural resource professionals, and community members who are passionate about addressing local conservation challenges and opportunities.

📅 Thursday, July 30, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Monroe County Conservation Education Center

Dinner provided, registration required.

We want to hear from YOU! Join us and help ensure conservation programs and resources are focused on the needs that matter most to Monroe County.

Please share and help spread the word! 🌾🌳💧

06/17/2026

We had such a great time partnering with Monroe County 4-H Clubs & the Monroe County Alabama Forestry Committee for our first ever Kids Forestry Summer Camp! It was a great few days, despite the rain!

06/16/2026

06/16/2026

Clear Water Alabama 2026 is ready for Registration and Sponsorship. You can access the Save The Date, Hotel Reservations, and Registration from our website:
https://alabamasoilandwater.gov/alesc-clearwater/

The Registration link on our website will take you to the Alabama Stormwater Association Clear Water Alabama Registration Page or you can directly go to the ASA page by using the following link:
https://www.alabamastormwater.org/clear-water-alabama

From the ASA link you can either register for the meeting or become a sponsor. Remember that sponsorship comes with either 1 or 2 registrations depending on the sponsorship level.

A DRAFT Seminar Agenda will be posted to our site soon.
THE REGISTRATION EARLY BIRD DEADLINE ENDS AUGUST 15TH.

It should be another great event. Hope to see you there!

06/13/2026

📚 What a wonderful final day at the Agriculture in the Classroom Conference!

We wrapped up an inspiring conference by learning about the Forest Workforce Initiative and hearing from the author of the Little Timber Crew book series, who shared ways to connect students with forestry careers and natural resource education. We also had the opportunity to hear from the author of Wally the Wrangler, highlighting the importance of agriculture and western heritage through engaging children’s literature.

The day included hands-on breakout sessions featuring make-and-take crafts and a hydroponics gardening workshop, providing practical ideas and activities to bring back to our classrooms and communities.

To close out the conference, attendees enjoyed door prizes and received a variety of educational resources to support agricultural literacy throughout the year.

Thank you to all of the presenters, sponsors, and organizers for an engaging and educational experience. We are excited to take these new ideas and resources back to the students we serve! 🌱🚜🌳

06/12/2026

Day 2 Agriculture in the Classroom Farm Tour Spotlight

What an incredible opportunity for students to experience Alabama agriculture firsthand! From nurseries and dairy farms to wildlife conservation and pecan production, these tours help connect classroom learning to real-world agriculture.

🌱 Poague Farm & Nursery
Participants discovered how plants are grown and cared for. Nurseries play an important role in agriculture by producing flowers, shrubs, trees, and landscape plants that beautify homes and communities. Discussion also included plant propagation, greenhouse production, irrigation, soil health, and the importance of growing healthy plants.

🐄 Blue Ribbon Dairy, LLC
Blue Ribbon Dairy is a fourth-generation family dairy farm that produces Grade A milk and processes it right on the farm. Discussion included the breeds of dairy cows, milking process & pasteurization, diet and why nutrition, animal welfare, and sanitation are essential parts of dairy farming. The farm is known for its cream-line milk, which is pasteurized but not homogenized, allowing participants to see a more traditional dairy product. Agri-tourism is a part of the farm’s dynamic as well and includes a flower farm, petting zoo, and playground.

🦌 Lanark Wildlife & Nature Center Lanark provides visitors with a unique look at wildlife conservation and natural resource management. The center helps teach how forests, wildlife, and agriculture often work together to support healthy ecosystems. Visitors also learn about native Alabama wildlife, habitat management, forestry practices, and the role conservation plays in protecting our natural resources.

🌰 Priester’s Pecans Retail Store & Shelling Factory
Founded in 1935, Priester’s Pecans has grown from a small roadside business into one of Alabama’s best-known agricultural enterprises. Visitors can see how pecans are shelled, processed, packaged, and marketed to customers around the world. The facility includes viewing areas where visitors can observe food production and learn how a raw agricultural product becomes a value-added food product. The tour also highlights the importance of Alabama’s pecan industry and agribusiness entrepreneurship.

Agriculture is much more than farming. These experiences showcase the many careers and industries connected to agriculture.

06/11/2026

What an incredible time we had on our first day of Ag in the Classroom!

Some of the featured topics included:
🐝 Zizi’s Bees – Discovering the importance of pollinators and the vital role bees play in our food system.
🚜 Farmer on the Shelf – Exploring creative ways to bring agriculture into the classroom year-round through storytelling, challenges, and agriculture-themed lessons that spark student curiosity.
🍅 Farm to School Program & Alexander’s Adventures – We met Alexander, the adventurous ambassador of Alabama’s Farm to School Program, and learned about Flat Alexander, who travels across the state introducing students to farms, local foods, and agriculture. Through interactive activities, participants explored how Alexander helps connect children to where their food comes from while encouraging healthy eating and agricultural awareness.
🎮 My American Farm – Educators experienced free online games and digital resources that teach agriculture concepts through engaging, interactive learning experiences.
🍎 Snacking Through Agriculture – Making connections between everyday snacks and the farmers, crops, and agricultural processes that make them possible.
🌱 Gardeners Know All the Dirt – Digging into soil science, plant growth, and gardening activities that help students understand where food comes from.
🥛 The Dairy Alliance – Exploring dairy nutrition, dairy farming, and the journey of milk from farm to table while engaging in activities that can easily be adapted for students.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s farm tours!

06/10/2026

🎣🌿 Final Day of the 2026 ACDEA Workshop – Hooked on Conservation!

We wrapped up an excellent week of learning, collaboration, and professional development with updates from several of our conservation and agricultural partners.

The morning began with agency updates from Ashley Henderson, Executive Director of the SWCC; Vickie Watkins, Executive Director of the AACD; and Kendrick Flowers with USDA-NRCS. Their presentations provided valuable information on current programs, initiatives, and opportunities impacting conservation districts across Alabama.

We also heard from Kent Stanford with Alabama Extension, who provided training focused on AFO/CAFO regulations and management practices. The day concluded with a presentation from Tami Culver, who shared updates and information from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.

Thank you to all of the speakers, organizers, and attendees who made this year’s workshop a success. We are leaving Lake Guntersville with new ideas, strengthened partnerships, and valuable knowledge that will help us continue serving Alabama’s natural resources and communities.💙