RALEIGH — Three stalwart individuals and organizations who dedicate their time and passion to farm conservation were recently inducted into the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) Hall of Fame.

The Brown Creek Soil & Water Conservation District (Anson County, N.C.), retired NRCS chief Terry Cosby and cover crop and regenerative farming expert Robert Myers were recognized for their work advancing conservation agriculture, inspiring generations of farmers and technical assistance providers to embrace locally-led, voluntary farmland conservation and regeneration.

The honors came during the 19th annual Conservation in Action Tour in Raleigh, N.C.

“Our Hall of Fame Inductees are individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to conservation agriculture and to CTIC,” Heiniger said during the induction ceremony. “And while it’s rewarding to recognize their outstanding achievements, what I love most is that through this process, we all get to see what greatness looks like. 

“And then, humbly, we get to hold our work up to the mirror of their accomplishments and get our own report cards.”

Brown Creek SWCD

This is official SWCD of Anson County, N.C., and is the birthplace of modern conservation agriculture. Hugh Hammond Bennett, an Anson County native, rose from a farm and antebellum plantation between Wadesboro and White Store to become chief of the United States Soil Conservation Service and a world authority on land use. 

Through his dedicated professional efforts, Brown Creek became the first Soil Conservation District in America in 1937 when North Carolina Secretary of State Thad Eure made history by signing the certificate of organization establishing the Brown Creek Soil and Water Conservation District.

Terry Crosby

Terry Cosby is the retired Chief of the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, where he led a premier federal conservation agency known for its 3,000 field-office network that helps farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners nationwide plan and carry out voluntary conservation activities on their operations.

During Terry’s more than 40-year career with NRCS, he held numerous leadership and staff positions. He began his career as an NRCS intern in Iowa in 1979 and rose through the agency’s ranks to become its 17th chief on May 24, 2021.

Terry served as NRCS’s Acting Chief for several months before becoming Chief. Prior to being named Acting Chief, Terry served as NRCS State Conservationist in Ohio for 16 years. His other leadership positions include Deputy State Conservationist in Idaho, Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations in Missouri, and Area Resource Conservationist in Iowa.

Rob Myers

Dr. Robert Myers is Director of the University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture and an Extension Professor in the Plant Science and Technology Division. Since 2010, he has also served as Regional Director of Extension Programs for the USDA North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) program. 

SARE is a partner with CTIC on the National Cover Crop Survey Report.

In his leadership role with the Center for Regenerative Agriculture, he administers a $25-million USDA grant called the Missouri CRCL Project and also the $10-million National Cover Crop Variety Development Project. He also oversees several other grants with the Center supporting research, education, and extension programs.