2012 LACD Scholarship

Each year the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts (LACD) awards one scholarship to a Louisiana graduating high school senior who is planning to enter an institution of higher learning within the State of Louisiana as a full-time under-graduate student in the field of agriculture, natural resources or environmental sciences. The amount of the cash award will be set annually and awarded on a one time basis.

The purpose of the LACD scholarship is to provide financial support to broaden the educational opportunities for deserving students in Louisiana.

All graduating high school seniors in Caldwell, Jackson or Winn Parish who are planning to enter an institution of higher learning within the State of Louisiana as a full-time under-graduate student in the field of agriculture, natural resources or environmental sciences are eligible. Scholarship applicants should submit their application directly to the Dugdemona SWCD by April 18, 2012.

The Dugdemona SWCD will select one candidate from all applications received, then send its candidate to the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts (LACD) to compete with 43 other Conservation Districts in the state for the 2012 Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts Scholarship.

Scholarship applications are available at our office or you can send us an email at dugdswcd@bellsouth.net Applications and additional information is also available on our websites “Teachers” page. Please visit our website at http://dugdemonaswcd.shutterfly.com/.

2012 LACD SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY

High school seniors that have been accepted by a two or four year accredited Louisiana college or university in the field of agriculture, natural resources, or environmental sciences.

APPLICATION DATE

Each Dugdemona SWCD applicant must submit their entry form to the LACD District Scholarship Selection Committee before the 18th of April.

The Dugdemona SWCD will submit its candidate's application to the State Scholarship Selection Committee before the 20th of April.



PROCESS FOR AWARDING OF THE SCHOLARSHIP

A check from LACD will be sent to the student after the LACD Secretary-Treasurer has received proof of the student completing their first quarter or semester of college and proof of registration for the next quarter or semester. Award checks will be made payable to the student. It is the district’s responsibility to assist the student in notifying the Secretary-Treasurer that they have met the requirements so as to be awarded the scholarship check.

If the 2012 LACD Scholarship winner is from the Dugdemona SWCD a representative from the local district board will attend the school’s awards or graduation ceremony to present a certificate of achievement to the scholarship recipient.

Becoming a Member of the Board

Becoming a Member of the Dugdemona Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors

The Dugdemona Soil & Water Conservation District encompasses all of Winn and Jackson Parishes and a portion of Caldwell Parish. Concerned and eligible landowners have an opportunity to help manage and conserve the natural resources in this area by serving on the Dugdemona Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board. If the issues and programs stated in this document interest you, please call Vikkie Lafollette at 628-4438.

I. Mission: To provide leadership, education, and technical assistance through conservation planning and programs to assist all land-users in solving the needs to conserve, sustain and improve the soil, water, and other natural resources in the

Vision: To be recognized as the community leader by establishing partnerships and coordination plans of action to achieve soil and water conservation.

II. Goals and Objectives:
· Establish soil and water conservation policy for the SWCD.
· Assess resource needs.
· Develop strategies to address these needs.
· Provide quality conservation education to Parish educators and school children.
· Provide land users with technical assistance.
· Develop programs to address local natural resource problems.
· Serve as a focal point for addressing local natural resource issues and coordinating various programs to help solve identified concerns.

III. Legal Authority:
Title 3, Section 1201-1219 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes defines a Soil & Water Conservation District as a governmental subdivision of the State of Louisiana, and a public body corporate and politic.

IV. Current Major Issues:
· Landowners needing technical assistance
· Surface Water Quality
· Coastal wetland loss
· Cropland erosion
· Invasive/Non-native plant species
· Urban storm water runoff
· Insufficient operating funds

V. Major Programs and Activities:
· Federal Farm Bill conservation programs
· CWA Section 319 agricultural cost-share program
· Conservation equipment rentals
· Tree seedling sales
· Approval of conservation plans
· Review of Parish planning proposals
· Conservation educational programs for Agricultural producer, school, and civic groups
· Publish SWCD newsletter
· Revise and publish annual business plan and annual report.
VI. Funding Sources:
· State government
· Local governments (Police Jury, Drainage Board)
· Local business and organization donations
· Competitive grants
· Federal grants, cooperative interagency agreements
· Tree sales and equipment rentals
· Educational workshops and seminars

VII. Expectations of SWCD Supervisors:
· Take advantage of SWCD supervisor training opportunities
· Attend board and conservation related meetings
· Participate in district programs and activities
· Serve on a LACD (Louisiana Assoc. of Conservation Districts) committee
· Be involved and responsible for SWCD program direction
· Promote soil and water conservation in the community
· Help manage SWCD staff
· Represent the SWCD in public
· Help secure financial resources

VIII. Benefits of being a SWCD Supervisor:
· Representing locals resource concerns
· Providing a voice and a service for the citizens within your SWCD
· Satisfaction of providing your time to improve the environment and sustaining local resources
· Being actively involved with assistance and educational programs
· Provide leadership in community resource conservation

For additional information call the SWCD office at 318-628-4438, or contact a current SWCD board member.