Alachua Soil & Water Conservation District announces supervisors and new projects

Press release from the Alachua Soil & Water Conservation District

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – The Alachua Soil & Water Conservation District (ASWCD) announces the reappointment of Patricia Lee, elected in 2022, to serve a second four-year term, and she will remain as chair of ASWCD. John Nix was appointed to serve his first full term after completing the term of a District supervisor who resigned due to the increased workload at his consulting firm. Another board member resigned due to increased workload in his UF position. We are happy for, but will miss, former member Jancie Vinson, who won a seat on the School Board and thus cannot serve a second term on ASWCD.

This board is also very proud to have the wisdom and dedication of its longest-serving member, Archie Matthews, with over 50 years of award-winning service. Mrs. Monica Jones serves as our USDA District liaison and keeps us updated as necessary. We look forward to filling the two open seats and invite letters or calls of interest from candidates eligible to fill the District 1 and 4 seats. Please note that ASWCD District numbers correspond to those of the five Alachua County Commission Districts.

Beginning very soon, ASWCD will launch its Business Plan Development for Small Farmers project. We are excited about this new addition to our ASWCD strategies. We anticipate the need for assistance with this new undertaking and invite volunteers to help us help our local farmers grow and prosper with the least amount of detriment to our beautiful environment, especially our precious water resources. We also seek financial assistance to purchase the class supplies, as well as to support projects we have planned for our middle and high school youth.

ACSWCD meets the last Monday of each month (except May); the public is encouraged to attend.

Meetings are held at the Alachua County FSA/NRCS Office located at 5709 NW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32653. Feel free to reach out to Patricia at tfanserves@gmail.com or John Nix at nix4055@gmail.com.

To serve as a supervisor (board member) of a Florida Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), you must meet statutory qualifications, complete required training, and comply with district and state rules.

Qualification Requirements are as follows:

• Residency: You must be a resident of the district you are serving on.
• Age: At least 18 years old.
• Citizenship: U.S. citizen.
• No disqualifying convictions: Must not be disqualified under Florida law (e.g., certain criminal convictions).
• Conflict of interest: Must avoid conflicts of interest in district business; disclose any potential conflicts.
• Term: Typically, a two-year or four-year term, with re-election possible.

Established by the Florida Legislature, Alachua Soil & Water Conservation District, a governmental subdivision of the State of Florida, was established October 9, 1950, under Florida Statutes 582 by residents for the purpose of promoting and encouraging the wise use, management, and general conservation of the County’s soil, water, and related natural resources. Its activities and role in local conservation have evolved since its inception. It works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and is committed to preserving and enhancing the quality of life in Alachua County through conservation of its natural resources.