For Immediate Release
Date: March 13, 2008

Contact:
Paige Buck, State Public Affairs Specialist, (217) 353.6606
 

Jacksonville Declared “Best Conservation Service Center for 2007”

Champaign, IL— The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Field Office of the Year Award for 2007 was awarded to the Jacksonville Field Office in Morgan County. Each year, Illinois NRCS State Conservationist Bill Gradle names the Field Office team he feels has surpassed agency and customer expectations and met the challenges of conservation head on. With the conservation technical assistance from the members of this team, Morgan County private landowners who strive to work in production agriculture can be successful and yet handle their land and resources in an environmentally safe and sustainable manner.

As Team Leader, District Conservationist Jill Keeton confirms her team is built on a strong partnership and that it is the reason they accomplish so much and have met and even surpassed goals. “The staff here works well together. We all enjoy what we do,” says Keeton.

The team includes a mix of both NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff who work together to assist local landowners with a seamless delivery approach. NRCS District Conservationist Jill Keeton, NRCS Soil Conservationists Joe Cebuhar and Beau Thomas, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician Dan Gust, SWCD Resource Conservationist Brad Walker, and SWCD Administrative Assistant Donna Roads. Beau is new to the team, replacing Mark Hitz who just took on the NRCS District Conservationist position in Cass County.

The staff is a high performing team that works hard and smart and can adapt as needed. “Just recently, our Resource Conservationist Brad Walker announced he was taking a new position with a private company. Honestly, instead of being excited for him, we were all disappointed because we realized the knowledge and skills that he brought to the team would be missed,” explains Keeton. “We’ll pull together and make it happen, but everyone here is so crucial to the equation, that one missing link will be felt.”

State Conservationist Gradle confirms his appreciation and confidence in the team. “The SWCD and NRCS staff in the Jacksonville Field Office both work together as a productive and attentive team. They do not draw a line in the sand. They demonstrate their strong partnership day in and day out. And when a team works well together, the work gets done.”

Congratulations to these conservationists and their commitment to soil and water resources, to agriculture, and to each other. To learn more about ag conservation and programs in Illinois, visit www.il.nrcs.usda.gov

Photo caption: The Jacksonville Service Center Team — NRCS Soil Conservationist Beau Thomas, SWCD Administrative Assistant Donna Roads, NRCS Soil Conservationist Joe Cebuhar, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician Dan Gust, SWCD Resource Conservationist Brad Walker, and NRCS District Conservationist Jill Keeton. Not pictured is Mark Hitz who just took on the NRCS District Conservationist position in Cass County.

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