Brent Van Dyke, born and raised in Springer, N.M., was sworn in as president of the National Association of Conservation Districts, one of America’s largest conservation groups, at the organization’s 71st annual meeting last week in Denver.
The NACD board of directors elected Van Dyke to lead the member organization at NACD’s 2016 annual meeting. Van Dyke served one year as president-elect; he will now serve two years as president.
“Brent knows conservation—he comes from the farm and understands how important sustainable agriculture is to not only the American economy, but to people around the world,” says NACD immediate past president Lee McDaniel. “Brent also understands that our work as the voice of conservation includes engaging with our more non-traditional urban and tribal partners. He sees the need to broaden NACD’s base and intends to continue the policies established in my tenure to that do just that.”
Van Dyke and his wife Kim reside in Hobbs, N.M., where they run a commercial and registered cattle operation. The Van Dykes also raise irrigated alfalfa and coastal Bermuda hay in Lea County, N.M., and cotton in Plains, Texas.
Prior to assuming the presidency, Van Dyke served as vice president of the New Mexico Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts from 2006 to 2009. He also served as chair on the Lea County Soil and Water Conservation District’s board of supervisors.
Van Dyke is a retired teacher and FFA advisor who worked for the U.S. State Department’s USAID for more than 15 years as a contract advisor for agricultural projects in eastern Europe and Eurasia. He was first elected to represent NACD’s southwest region on the executive board in 2011.
“Brent has served this organization for many years,” says NACD CEO Jeremy Peters. “We look forward to working with him to advance voluntary, locally-led conservation nationwide in his newest capacity.”