Awards Corner

Honorary State FFA Degree Recipients

NRCS Soil Scientists Bob Eppinette of Walterboro, SC, and Ron Morton of Florence, SC, received Honorary State Future Farmers of America (FFA) Degrees. Eppinette and Morton were recognized for their outstanding support of and technical assistance to the regional and state FFA Soils Judging Competitions held annually and participated in by hundreds of FFA members. The Honorary State FFA Degree is the highest award presented to supporters of the FFA and agricultural education at the state level. Congratulations to these outstanding employees!

South Carolina District Conservationist Wins National Civil Rights Award

Deborah E. Mann, NRCS district conservationist in Georgetown, South Carolina, was presented with the 2001 NRCS National Civil Rights Individual Award for outstanding outreach efforts. Mann served on a focus initiative committee to highlight the Sandy Island community (a minority community) to bring improvements to an underserved island. NRCS provided planning, engineering, and technical assistance to develop natural resource plans to reduce the shoreline erosion and stabilize the eroding roadways. In addition, NRCS will also provide $40,000 in construction funds to install the conservation practices needed to protect and conserve the soil and surface water resources. Mann received the award in Washington, D.C., on June 4th, 2001.

NRCSer Receives 2005 Federal Women's Program Manager Award

Ayana Brown received the NRCS 2005 Outstanding Federal Women's Program Manager Award. This is a national award given to Federal Women's Program Managers (FWPM) once a year who exemplify excellence in promoting information and issues related to women. Nominees considered for the award are ranked according to a list of criteria, which include: Impact on NRCS; Self Development; Involvement in Women's Issues; Support and Impact on Other Women; and Role Model Qualities. Brown serves as the Regional FWPM Co-Chair for the East, as well as the National Awards Committee Chair. She is also active in the community, participating in events related to women's issues, such as the Red Dress Campaign (spreading awareness about heart disease in women) and the Walk for Life, (to spread awareness about breast cancer). Congratulations Ayana!

NRCS Engineer Presented with SWCS Award

NRCS Greenville Field Engineer Eddie Martin was presented with the SC Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) Conservation Technical Award. Martin accepted the award during a surprise presentation at the NRCS State Office at an Engineer’s Planning Meeting. SC SWCS Vice President Amy O. Maxwell made the presentation. The award is given to outstanding SWCS members or non-members for exemplary conservation assistance to landusers over a sustained period of time (3-5 years). Martin was recognized for his innovative assistance and dedicated work ethic.

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