Soil Health Coalition Leaders Earn Recognition

By Scout Nelson

The Nebraska Chapter of the Soil & Water Conservation Society (SWCS) honored five individuals during its state chapter meeting in Wahoo, Nebraska, and was recognized at the 80th SWCS International Conference in Costa Mesa, California. SWCS is a nonprofit scientific and educational association dedicated to advancing the science and art of wise land use and natural resource stewardship.

Outstanding Service Award. Craig Derickson of Lincoln received the chapter’s Outstanding Service Award for long-term contributions to SWCS and conservation in Nebraska. A member since 1981, he has served as an officer and on several committees and is a former Berg Fellow and SWCS Fellow.

His more than 40-year career with NRCS and the University of Nebraska included field, supervisory, regional, and national roles focused on delivering technical and financial assistance for conservation practices. In 2023, he helped establish the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition and continues to assist the Nebraska Soil & Water Conservation Foundation with fundraising strategies to expand student scholarships.

Honor Award. The chapter’s Honor Award recognized two non-members whose work advances SWCS goals. Plant breeder and scientist Thomas Hoegemeyer has led research, teaching, and outreach in crop production and soil health adoption, co-founding and now serving as president of the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition.

David Meyer, a retired plant scientist, was honored for leadership in regenerative agriculture, global development projects, and service as president of The Grain Place. He is a founding board member of the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition, helping design producer-led learning, regional cooperation, and funding pathways that strengthen soil resilience.

Merit Award. Kay Walter and Tim Rinne were honored for the Hawley Hamlet Neighborhood Garden in Lincoln, a nationally recognized urban agriculture and community-building effort with native plantings, edible landscapes, education programs, and public tours.

International recognition. For the fourth straight year, the Nebraska Chapter received an Outstanding Chapter Award from SWCS International. The chapter produces two newsletters annually, hosts a statewide meeting and legislative/informational breakfast, digitizes its historical archives, and supports the UNL Soil & Water Resources Club plus two scholarship foundations.

An annual golf tournament funds student award. The 2024 meeting in Scottsbluff featured tours and talks from university, NRD, and NRCS partners highlighting conservation in western Nebraska.

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