Sponsorship, Awards & Scholarships

 Join Participants from across Texas each June at the Texas Tech University Campus in Junction, TX for the nation's longest running natural resources workshop for youth.  Experts from across the state are recruited to teach the participants in fields ranging from watershed management, to prescribed burning, to soil health, and many areas in between. Additionally, youth are trained in the areas of public speaking and may be selected to participate in the George Holekamp Public Speaking Competition and win the George Holekamp Belt buckle.  Contact the Kerr County SWCD for sponsorship! 

Great information coming soon!

Each year, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts (ATSWCD) recognize and honor those who dedicate themselves and their talents to the conservation and wise use of our renewable natural resources through the Texas Conservation Awards Program. The Conservation Awards Program honors winners at the Local, Area, and State levels. 

In May the Area Conservation Awards Banquet in held Wall, TX, and the State Awards Banquet is held in September.

Contest Rules:

· Poster contest is open to all Kerr County residents age 12 and under that meet Texas University Interscholastic League eligibility requirements.

· Please include artist’s name, age and school (or other contact info such as 4H Club, etc.) on back of poster.

· Poster entries shall be on standard poster board, cut to half size (22” x 14”). Artwork on poster entries should be produced with materials which do not readily smear, crack, or chip. If necessary, a fixative or lamination may be used. The poster entry artwork should be flat. The theme “Soil. Where it all Begins" must be included.

All posters submitted for the contest will feature the NACD/NACD Auxiliary Conservation Poster contest theme for 2026. The 2026 theme is "Soil. Where it all Beging" Please visit the stewardship week website at: http://www.nacdnet.org/general-resources/stewardship-and-education-materials for information on the 2026 theme. 

All poster entries must be received by the Kerr County Soil and Water Conservation District by February 10, 2026. Posters will be judged by the Kerr County SWCD Board Members to find Local Winners. The local winners must allow the Kerr County SWCD to photograph them with their entry. Local Winners will be featured on the district’s webpage and newsletter. They will also be submitted for an Area Competition. Area Winners will be recognized at the Texas Conservation Awards Program in Wall, TX and will be submitted for a State Competition. State Winners will be recognized at the Annual State Meeting of District Directors. 

Local Winners Will Receive:

1st Place: $50 cash 2nd Place: $25 cash

Return Entries to:

Kerr County Soil and Water Conservation District

2104 Memorial Boulevard, Suite #103

Kerrville, Texas 78028

-or- Call Missie Dreiss to pick up your school’s entries!

(830) 739-7476 or missie@kerrcountyswcd.com www.kerrcountyswcd.com