Gilchrist Soil & Water Conservation District

04/06/2026

Applications are due, Sunday, April 19, 2026

2026 Senior Scholarship Application Now Available

03/26/2026

The Gilchrist Soil & Water Conservation District is now accepting applications for the 2026 Senior Scholarship! A minimum of one $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior in Gilchrist County.

Eligibility Requirements:
✔️ Graduating senior in Gilchrist County (public, private, or homeschool)
✔️ Must pursue a degree in agriculture or a natural resource-related field
✔️ Minimum of 75 community service hours

Application Details:
Applicants must complete the online application and submit a resume highlighting academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, leadership, and future goals. Applications due by Sunday, April 19, 2026.

2026 Senior Scholarship Application Now Available

12/02/2025

Over the last 90 years at NRCS, some things have changed, some have stayed the same. In the 1930s, strip cropping, contour plowing, terracing, cover crops, and crop rotation were our top conservation practices. Now, they’re prescribed grazing, upland wildlife habitat management, cover crops, brush management and conservation crop rotation.

11/26/2025

A little history on conservation districts.

The first soil conservation district was organized in the Brown Creek watershed in Anson County, North Carolina, on August 4, 1937. Today, there are over 3,000 conservation districts in all 50 states that not only address soil conservation, but also water, forests and wildlife.
Find out how: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/our-agency/news/hugh-hammonds-birthplace-was-part-of-the-first-soil-conservation-district-in-nation

07/21/2025

Here we grow again! We’re looking for passionate, hard-working people to join our team. If you’re ready to grow your career, check out the details and apply today! 👇

Gilchrist County

05/06/2025

Calling all juniors and seniors.

Calling all Gilchrist Juniors and Seniors to apply for the Student Ag Ambassador program. This program is designed to build valuable skills and relationships in the AG industry that will help students prepare for their future careers in agriculture. See link to apply if interested.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDHXSN69BHkhULlUdzPOKmgPiU6v6CB8nXDnV5AEsgaVFtWw/viewform?usp=header

05/05/2025

Washington, D.C., May 2, 2025

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the latest slate of presidential appointments for key Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD) State Director roles.

“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again,” said Secretary Rollins.

FSA State Directors help implement President Trump’s America First agenda and execute the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) policies in planning, organizing, and administering FSA programs through state offices across the country. RD State Directors help affirm the mission of the Trump Administration by focusing on finding ways to empower rural America and unleash economic prosperity.

Marcinda Kester Appointed as State Executive Director, Florida Farm Service Agency

Marcinda Kester serves as the Florida State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency. Marcinda most recently served as the County Executive Director for Polk, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties in Florida. Prior to her role in Florida, she served as the Farm Programs Disaster Specialist and Farm Programs Chief for the Kentucky Farm Service Agency.

MaryAnn Pistilli Appointed as State Director, Florida and U.S. Virgin Islands Rural Development

MaryAnn Pistilli serves as State Director for Rural Development in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her political background includes serving as the Florida State Director for the 2024 Trump presidential campaign and as Deputy State Director for the 2020 campaign.

04/30/2025

The Flori 2025 Florida Farm Bill — a historic victory for Florida!

04/27/2025

The journey of Soil Stewardship Week began long before the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) took over the initiative. In the early years following the Dust Bowl, soil conservation efforts were largely promoted by publications like Farm and Ranch Magazine and the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). These early partnerships helped bring attention to the need for soil conservation, leading to a growing recognition of the importance of protecting our land and natural resources.

04/06/2025

One week to get those scholarships in. Must be a Gilchrist County Sr and majoring in an ag-related field. Tech schools benefiting ag are also considered.

Scholarship opportunity for a Gilchrist County Sr.

https://www.gilchristsoilandwater.org/2025-04-14-gswcd-senior-scholarship

04/04/2025

If you’re curious about what’s happening with agriculture in North Central Florida, this is a great leaning opportunity.