Mike and Annie Dee of Aliceville, Alabama, are winners of NRCS’ 2008 Excellence in Conservation Award. Owners and operators of the Dee River Ranch, this brother and sister team applies both traditional and state-of-the-art conservation techniques to ensure that their operation is profitable and environmentally sound.
On April 30, 2008, Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Gary Mast presented the 2008 Excellence in Conservation Award to Mike and Annie Dee of Dee River Ranch, Aliceville, Alabama.
“True conservation of our natural resources can be achieved only when groups and individuals put their commitment to conservation into action,” said Mast. “Annie and Mike Dee share their knowledge of conservation with communities and individuals across Alabama regularly and with distinction.”
Mike and Annie are very stewardship conscious. Mike says, “As we think of stewardship, we can’t be limited to look at next year’s crops, be it corn, wheat, or cattle. We have to think about the next 10 years. We have to be improving the soil and the environment all the time because we have to produce more from every acre to maintain our livelihood and success. We have to be improving all the time, not just maintaining.”
Brother and sister Mike and Annie Dee have gone the extra mile to ensure that their farming operation is not only profitable but also environmentally sound. They have incorporated conservation practices into their farming operation that have enhanced the productivity of the farm, reduced soil erosion, improved moisture retention in the soil, and provided wildlife habitat.
The award ceremony was held at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Convention Center during the national observance of Soil and Water Stewardship Week, April 27 to May 4, 2008. Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, Ron Sparks, and NRCS Assistant State Conservationist, Zona Beaty, joined Deputy Under Secretary Mast in recognizing the leadership, accomplishments and cooperative efforts of Dee River Ranch.
The NRCS Excellence in Conservation Award as a national award is the highest award the agency gives to honor those outside the Federal government for their work in conservation. This annual award recognizes the voluntary contributions of non-governmental individuals, groups, and Tribes through their conservation efforts in areas of technical assistance, programs delivery, technology transfer, outreach, or communication.
To learn more about the Dees, their conservation efforts and their partnership with the Natural Resources Management & Development Institute, check out:
Miles of Stewardship: The Dee River Ranch, a special feature on the NRMDI website.
