Smith honored for conservation work
By From staff reports
Published in News on February 19, 2012 1:50 AM
Chris Smith was recently recognized at the Johnston Soil and Water Conservation Banquet for his service to the landowners of Johnston County. Smith worked with agricultural producers to design and install conservation practices to prevent soil erosion and protect water quality on Johnston County farms.
During the 1985 Farm Bill, Chris wrote hundreds of conservation plans for farmers and helped to save tons of soil from being washed away by erosion.
In addition, he leads the county in designing and implementing animal waste management plans. Some of his other conservation projects include terraces, grassed waterways, sub-surface drain tile, agricultural ponds, contour farming, diversions and strip cropping. Chris also worked on various state and federal cost-share programs that provided much needed financial assistance to farmers.
Chris worked for the USDA-NRCS Smithfield field office for 20 years before a promotion that led him to work as civil engineering technician in the USDA-NRCS Area office in Goldsboro for the past 11 years. He retired in December 2011.