Convention Agenda DRAFT PAGE DO NOT USE 

9:30 to 12:00 p.m  
EO Board of Directors Meeting – Enterprise Board Room

12:00 to 2:00 p.m. 
Endowment Committee Meeting – Oak 

1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
KACD Board of Directors Meeting – Enterprise Board Room

1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
State Conservation Commissioners Meeting –Walnut

2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Convention Registration - Grand Eagle Ballroom Foyer

2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Conservation Education and Youth Committee Meeting – Osage

4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Supervisor Engagement & Empowerment for New and Experienced Supervisors - Birch 

4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Kansas Envirothon Meeting – Enterprise Board Room

6:30 -7:30 p.m.
Vespers Service – Trail Rooms

7:30 to 10:00 p.m.
Cornhole Tournament - Redbud C

6:30 – 8:00 a.m. 
Breakfast – Riverview Ballroom

7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
Check-in open - desk outside Riverview Ballroom

8:00 to 9:45 a.m.
KACD Opening Ceremony – Grand Eagle Ballroom

• Presentation of Colors - Derby HS Color Guard
• Presidents Report - Bill Simshauser, KACD President
• Capitol Hill Update - Senator Jerry Moran 
• NRCS Update - David Doctorian, NRCS State Conservationist
• The Importance of Partnerships - Kenneth Walker, NRCS Assistant Chief 

9:00 to 3:00 p.m. 
Auxiliary Country Store Ballroom Foyer

9:45 to 10:00 a.m. 
Coffee Break - Ballroom Foyer

10:05 to 11:00 a.m.
KACD Committee Meetings

• Grassland Committee – Redbud B
  Presiding - Daryl Donohue, Chair
• Natural Resources Committee – Cypress B
  Presiding - Baron Shively, Chair
• District Operations Committee – Redbud A
  Presiding - Wayne Lukert, Chair
• Wildlife, Recreation and Forestry – Redbud C
  Presiding - Sam Sanders, Chair
• Finance and Development – Oak
  Presiding - Allen Roth, Chair
• Urban and Rural Development – Osage
  Presiding - Mark Lehman, Chair

10:05 to 12:00 p.m.

• Youth and Education Committee speech contest – Cypress A
  Presiding - Dwayne Roux, Chair
• New District Employee Orientation - Birch

11:10 to 12:10 p.m.
Breakout Sessions 

• K-State's New Livestock Watering Handbook - Redbud B
  Ron Graber, KSU Watershed Specialist

Why should I be concerned about livestock water quality? Why should I be concerned about livestock water quality? In the last few years, many livestock producers have seen the effects of prolonged drought on quality water supplies for their livestock. In response to these conditions, the K-State Research & Extension (KSRE) publication "Waterers and Watering Systems: A handbook for livestock producers and landowners has been updated and is now available. This handbook has been a popular resource, and its use is expected to grow. Join Ron as he highlights the changes and additions to the new handbook.

• A New Approach to Reducing Water Use in the High Plains Aquifer - Redbud C 
  Matt Unruh, Assistant Director, KWO 
  Wes McCray, Tech Projects Coordinator, KWO         
  David Jones, Assistant Director, KDA-DOC         
  Katie Durham, Manager, GMD 1  

Join us for a panel discussion from the perspective of the KDA/DOC, Kansas Water Office, and Groundwater Management District #1. Each partner will describe current cost-share and technical assistance programs ranging from local to federal projects. The panel will be available to answer questions.

• Implementing a Successful Local Workgroup Meeting in Your Management Unit/ County – Redbud C
  Chessa Ossefoort, Programs Manager, NACD
  Matt Sprick, Agreement Specialist, KACD

The Local Work Group (LWG) process involves gathering diverse stakeholders to identify resource concerns and prioritize conservation efforts within a community. By aligning local needs with federal and state programs, LWGs enhance the effectiveness of conservation initiatives. This session will cover best practices for encouraging participation, fostering conversation, and learning how KACD will continue to support conservation districts in hosting these important meetings.

12:15 to 1:45 p.m.
SCC Luncheon – Grand Eagle Ballroom

• Presiding: Rod Vorhees, SCC Chairman
• Keynote Speaker: Governor Laura Kelly (Invited)
• KACD State Speech Contest Winner Presentation

2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
NRCS Employee meeting – Redbud C

2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
KACD Area Meetings

• Area 1 – Cedar
• Area 2 – Maple
• Area 3 – Oak
• Area 4 – Redbud A
• Area 5 – Redbud B

3:15 to 5:15 p.m.

• KACD Business Meeting – Redbud B
• Employee Organization meeting – Cypress Ballroom A

6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Reception - Grand Eagle Ballroom Foyer

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Awards Banquet (Awards and Silent Auction) - Grand Eagle Ballroom

7:00 to 8:30 a.m.
Buffet breakfast - Riverview Ballroom

KACD Auxiliary Meeting - Enterprise Board Room

7:30 - 9:00 a.m. 
Check-in open - desk outside Riverview Ballroom

8:30 to 12:00 p.m. 
Conservation Symposium - Grand Eagle Ballroom

Range Health
This Symposium on Improving Range Health and Reducing Woody Encroachment in Kansas is a pivotal event designed to address the critical challenges land managers, ranchers, and conservationists face in maintaining and enhancing the health of rangelands across the state. As woody encroachment threatens the ecological balance of these vital landscapes, this symposium aims to provide actionable strategies, share cutting-edge research, and foster collaboration among stakeholders to promote sustainable land management practices.
Defending and Restoring Our Rangelands for the Future, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.

• David Kraft, Executive Director, Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition (Moderator)
• Mike Beam, Secretary of Agriculture, Kansas Dept. of Agriculture
• Dr. Dirac Tidwell, Associate Professor, University of Nebraska
• Cade Rensink, District Extension Director, KSU

10:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break – Ballroom Foyer

10:30 to 12:00 p.m.
Conservation Symposium (continued) – Grand Eagle Ballroom

Finding Effective Communication Strategies, Locally and Regionally

• Dean Krehbiel - State Resource Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (Moderator)
• Luke Westerman, Supervisory District Conservationist, NRCS
• Adrian and Abbey Vogel, Greenwood County Ranchers
• Laura Goodman, Professor, Oklahoma State University
• Lindsay Shorter, Grassland Conservation Marketing Manager, PLJV
• Ryan Roberts, Social Science Specialist, PLJV