News Release No. 478

SOIL AND WATER DISTRICTS COMMISSION TO MEET
NOV. 28 AT ANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE

Volume 33-478

Contact: Lindsay Tempinson

(For immediate release)

573-751-4932

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, NOV. 21, 2005 -- District supervisors, employees and other conservation partners from Missouri's 114 soil and water conservation districts will meet at the 57th annual Soil and Water Conservation Districts Training Conference Nov. 28-30 at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach. The focus of this year's training conference is on strengthening district outreach programs and increasing public awareness of the districts and their resources.

In conjunction with the Soil and Water Districts Training Conference, the Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission will hold a joint meeting with the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts at 8 a.m., Monday, Nov. 28, in the Parasol Room I/II at Tan-Tar-A Resort. The Soil and Water Districts Commission meeting will follow at 10 a.m. The commission will approve a list of available cost-share practices for 2006 and hear reports on district assistance, the Cost-Share Program and other business.

During the training conference several awards will be presented recognizing individuals for their accomplishments in soil and water conservation. These awards include the Missouri Grassland Farmer of the Year, Missouri Cooperator of the Year, the Teacher of the Year, and several awards recognizing district employees. The state winners of the National Association of Conservation Districts' poster contest, Grassland Evaluation Contest, and the Missouri Envirothon will also be recognized.

There will also be a District Employee Benefit Committee meeting Sunday, Nov. 27, at 4 p.m. in room 76/77 at Tan-Tar-A Resort. The committee will be discussing district health insurance rates for calendar year 2006.

People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4932. Hearing-impaired individuals may contact the program through Relay Missouri at 800-735-2966.

For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Soil and Water Conservation Program at 573-751-4932 or the department toll free at 800-361-4827.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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