John Merino, Grant Soil and Water Conservation District Chair presents a check to team member Justin Billings. (Photo courtesy Grant SWCD)The Grant Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), in partnership with the Southwest Quay SWCD and other NM SWCDs, recently awarded sponsorships to three Grant County 4-H members. Randi White, Kolby Taylor and Justin Billings attended the week-long State 4-H Conference held in July in Las Cruces. Their team took first place in the Land Judging Contest. The SWCDs try to award the sponsorships annually to encourage students to seek careers in Range Science areas and to promote awareness of soil and water conservation districts’ mission to protect, restore, enhance, and promote the wise-use of natural resources. The awards are made in the categories of Homesite, Forestry, Agronomy, Land, Range and Wildlife. Prior to receiving the sponsorship monies, the students are required to make a presentation to their local SWCD about the competition.
Land Judging Contest First Place team members, Randi White, Kolby Taylor and Justin Billings with their winning banner. (Photo courtesy Jessica Swapp)The 4-H Land Judging Contest serves as a tool to teach youth and adults about the field of soil science and the use and management of soils and to familiarize them with management practices for the care and management of soil and water.
Grant SWCD board members include: Ty Bays, John Merino, Alex Thal, Dusty Hunt, David McCauley, Niel McDonald, and Johnny Reed.