Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD) Service
- August 2019: Charles Rice becomes Past President
- 2016 – 2019: Charles Rice served as President
- 2016 – 2019: Luis Dieguez served as Secretary
- 2018 – 2023: Wes Tomlinson appointed Bylaws & Operating Rules Committee
- 2015 – 2020: Jeff Bossart appointed Legislative Committee
- 2014 – 2019: Jeff Bossart appointed LRSP Committee
- 2017 – 2022: Jeff Bossart appointed Awards Committee
MASCD Years of Service Awards
- 2021: William “Wes” Tomlinson, 5 years
- 2020: Wayne Hancock, 10 years
- 2020: Jack Welch, 20 years
- 2018: Jeff Bossart, 20 years
- 2017: Charles Rice, 20 years
- 2016: Jack Welch, 15 years
- 2015: Wayne Hancock, 5 years
- 1986: W. Mitchell Diggs, 45 years – Received Governor’s Citation as first Maryland Supervisor to serve 45 years; Mr. Diggs continued to serve until 1993, for a total of 52 years of service.
MASCD Awards
- 2020: Timothy Wells, Special Achievement Award – Employee
- 2018: Charles SCD Board of Supervisors, Special Achievement Award
- 2014: Dee Dee Saunders, Outstanding Employee
- 2013: Charles Rice, MDA Secretary’s Citation, Significant Contributions to Soil Conservation on a Local, Regional, and State Level
- 2011: William “Wes” Tomlinson, Outstanding Associate Supervisor
- 2010: Charles Rice, Outstanding Leadership Award
- 2009: Wayne Hancock, Outstanding Associate Supervisor
- 2008: Hugh Gardiner – Cooperative Agricultural Equipment Rental Program, Outstanding Contribution Award
- 2006: Charles SCD, Outstanding Newsletter
- 2005: Sen. Thomas “Mac” Middleton, Outstanding Contribution Award
- 2004: Alan “Pete” Cruikshank, President’s Award
- 2000: Alan “Pete” Cruikshank, Outstanding Employee
- 1999: Gilbert O. Bowling, Outstanding Leadership Award
- 1985: Alan “Pete” Cruikshank, Outstanding Employee
- 1984: Agnes Higdon, Outstanding Employee
- 1982: Walter L. Bender, Special Achievement Award
- 1977: W. Mitchell Diggs, Outstanding Leadership Award
- 1974: Charles SCD, Goodyear/NACD Grand Conservation Award
Other Awards
- 2021: MAFC Outstanding District Award – First Place
- 2021: NRCS Volunteer Award
- 2020: Maryland Outstanding District – MidAtlantic Farm Credit
- 2019: MAFC Outstanding District Award – Third Place
- June 7, 2017: Charles SCD, Conservationist of the Year Award from the Southern Maryland Audubon Society
- 2017: Charles SCD, Certificate of Appreciation from NRCS Earth Team Volunteers Today for Tomorrow
Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts Special Achievement Award
The Charles Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors (District Board) received the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts Special Achievement award at its annual Awards Banquet and Educational Endowment Auction, held July 30, 2018, during its annual conference in Cambridge. The District Board was nominated for the award for their foresight and fortitude in their pursuit and creation of the Charles County Agricultural and Environmental Service Center.
In 2016 the District Board of Supervisors initiated the creation of the Charles County Agricultural and Environmental Service Center. They had the foresight to acquire a 141-acre farm with a commercial building having the office space potential for conservation partnership agencies. The office building and farm now have endless opportunities for outdoor education, Envirothon training, conservation BMP demonstrations, and conferences by and for all conservation partners.
In 2017 the facility hosted Envirothon trainings, University of Maryland Extension programs, Maryland Department of Agriculture meetings, Charles County Government trainings and retreats, as well as partnership meetings involving the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Charles County Inspectors, and southern Maryland agriculture technicians. Under Board direction, the District has continued a relationship with the American Chestnut Foundation who maintains a backcross breeding orchard on the property; has had its birds counted by the Southern Maryland Audubon Society; and has been awarded design and implementation grants by the Chesapeake Bay Trust to design and install agricultural and urban best management practices for erosion control, restoration, native pollinator habitat development and demonstration purposes for Charles County and the region.
For several years the board members have had the vision of a “one-stop” agricultural service center in Charles County. As of February 2017, the Agricultural and Environmental Service Center is now a reality and is operational thanks to the District Board’s vision.
The Board was previously recognized for these efforts at Charles County’s 30th Annual Cooperator Dinner, held May 30, 2018, at the Charles County Agricultural and Environmental Service Center in Waldorf. During the event, the Board received citations from the Charles County Commissioners, the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Maryland General Assembly, and the United States Congress.
The Charles Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors and its staff are excited about the urban and agricultural conservation opportunities the Charles County Agricultural and Environmental Service Center presents for the future.