SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The  Nevada County Resource Conservation District offers scholarships to local students pursuing studies within the wide variety of agricultural and conservation-led fields with possible careers including but not limited to: heavy equipment operation, agricultural engineering, forestry, chemistry, biology, research, rangeland management, welding, Ag economics, firefighting, 
Ag teaching, and Ag communications among many other career concentrations.

NCRCD offers scholarships to passionate students with the intention of becoming future agriculturalists and conservationists, and perhaps even bringing that acquired knowledge and experiences back to our community to inform and lead.

Our world and society depend on the future of agriculture, and through these scholarships, we hope to inspire and enable students to develop into working lands managers, advocates, and leaders. 

RANCH SCHOOL SUPPORT    
The Nevada County Resource Conservation District is happy to announce a gift to the Ranch School of a portable sawmill with trailer, blades. Students of the Nevada Joint Union High School District (NJUHSD) now have the opportunity to learn in the unique environment of “The Ranch”, an 86-acre working ranch recently donated to the Nevada Joint Union High School District with the purpose of giving students the opportunity to have “hands-on” training in all aspects of agriculture.

The mission of the NCRCD is to promote responsible resource management within its jurisdiction through leadership, education, technical assistance, financial assistance, and project facilitation. The Nevada County Resource Conservation District purchased and donated the sawmill to the Nevada Joint Union High School district in support of it’s educational objectives.

The sawmill purchased is a Model LT15 Wide with a 17HP Diesel Engine with power feed, a wide trailer, a box of 15 blades, and field assembly. It is the Board’s desire that the sawmill is used to benefit the NJUHSD’s agricultural based programs and outdoor learning labs and the district will continue to be available to support this unique program.

RANGE CAMP
Every year, the Nevada County Resource Conservation District offers for up to four junior and senior high school students full paid scholarships for Range Camp in Half Moon Bay California.  

It is a wonderful week of education for students to learn about riparian habitats, rangeland ecology, wildlife managemen, soils, forestry, plant identification, recreation, private and public lands, watershed hydrology, GPS/GIS technilogy applications, a tour of a working ranch, and given a team project planning competition. 

FARM DAY
As most of you know, Farm Day for our 2nd and third grade children isn’t just about animals, fruits, & vegetables. It’s about how important water is to all facets of agriculture. How trees become lumber and paper products, spinning fibers from animal wool makes clothes, and how bats help farmers with their crops. It’s a wonderful place for little eyes, hands, and minds! 

NCRCD partners and volunteers from all over Nevada County gather for one day to hold a fun packed Farm Day at the Fairgrounds for all of Nevada County 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms. Children have the opportunity to particate in all aspects of agriculture. NCAITC partners include the Nevada County Resource Conservation District, the Nevada County Farm Bureau, the Placer Nevada Cattlewomen,  the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Nevada County Agricultural Commissioner, the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, the Sierra Foothills Research and Extension Center, and Sierra Harvest. There are also many local ag-volunteers from out community that have generously donated thier valuable time, and we are grateful.

SPEAKOFF PROGRAM
The Nevada County Resource Conser-vation District (NCRCD) extends an invitation to local high school students to participate in our annual Conservation Education Speak-Off Contest.  This is an opportunity for students to learn more about resource conservation, agriculture, and the environment while competing among their peers and sharpening their public speaking skills.  The topic is different each year and chosen by the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD).  First, Second, and Third Place winners are chosen and cash prizes are awarded.  The First Place winner competes in the CARCD Central Sierra Regional contest for a chance to win additional cash prizes and go on to compete in the California State Championship and then on to Nationals!