July 25, 2021, Chicago, Illinois-- John Redding of Walton County joined Past Presidents of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) in celebration of NACD’s 75th anniversary in Chicago, Illinois. John is the only Georgian to serve as President of the organization since its founding in 1946.
The 75th Anniversary Celebration was hosted at the Hancock Center, and featured remarks from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, as well as a historical presentation from Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) Historian Joe Otto.
Pictured L to R: Tim Palmer (Iowa), Brent Van Dyke (NM), Earl Garber (LA), Michael Crowder (WA), Lee McDaniel (Maryland), Steve Robinson (OH), John Redding (GA), Gary Mast (OH), Rudy Rice (IL), Gerald Vap (NE), Bill Wilson (OK), Gerald Diggerness (WA)
John Redding’s involvement with NACD and natural resources conservation began through his service with the Walton County Conservation District where he served as Chair for 31 years. John has served NACD in many capacities including representing the State of Georgia as a board member, committee chair, regional chair, executive board member, and treasurer. He served as President of NACD from 2008-2009. As President, he was an advocate for the conservation of the nation’s natural resources through testimony to the US House and Senate Agriculture Committees. John was also selected by US Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack to serve as a panelist at the National Rural Summit and by President George W. Bush to participate in the Collaborative Conservation event in Washington, DC.
John owns a 500-acre farm in southwest Georgia where he implements soil and water conservation practices in the production of cotton, peanuts and timber. He currently serves as a representative of the Walton County Conservation District, Board Member Emeritus for the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), and Treasurer for the National Conservation Foundation. He resides in Monroe and is married to the former Levon Wilkerson, father to Cynthia (Tom Walker) and Carly, and proud grandfather to Lucy.
Mark Masters, president of GACD, congratulated John on this recognition noting, “Mr. Redding is a true ambassador of conservation and we are thankful and proud that he is a member of our GACD family.”
The mission of GACD is to advocate for the conservation of Georgia’s natural resources by providing organization, leadership and a unified strategic direction to the Conservation Districts of the state. For more information on GACD or to explore opportunities on how you can support our efforts, please visit us online at www.gacd.us.