Season 7 | Community of the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program (SFLR) | Episode 13
#112 | Conservation is about relationships
May 22, 2019 | Ann English
Ann English is the State Conservationist of South Carolina with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Ann began her career as an agronomist and soil conservationist. With 30 plus years of experience working in conservation and with SCS/NRCS, Ms. English and NRCS are proud supporters of the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention program. On today’s show, Ann discusses her career and family, her passion for conservation and people, her team, and how the NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to the SFLR community and many other others.
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] A message from Leadership Nature.
[2:25] A quick intro about Ann’s background.
[4:00] How did Ann first get started in agronomy?
[8:10] Ann shares how she first got introduced to SFLR.
[14:00] What other services does the NRCS provide to landowners?
[21:55] Ann shares a story of how the NRCS was able to help a landowner who recently inherited some heirs property.
[22:55] What sometimes stops landowners from seeking assistance?
[27:35] Younger generations don’t have the same connection to the land as we do, because they didn’t grow up near the land. They do not have the same fond memories as we do.
[29:25] The land should never be a burden to you.
[30:00] What is Ann most proud of about the SFLR program?
[32:15] Ann shares her top three pieces of advice for landowners!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Website for the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities: Usendowment.org
More information on the SFLR Program: Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program (SFLR)
More information on USDA NRCS: Nrcs.usda.gov
Jennie Stephens at the Center for Heirs Property Preservation
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