In 1985, the officers of the Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts (TACD) voted to recognize the TACD Secretaries Organization as an official, functioning part of their association. During 1986, officers were elected, bylaws approved, and area coordinators elected. Long/short range goals were set and general operating procedures were outlined. In an effort to include all district employees, in 1999 the name was changed to the Tennessee Conservation District Employees Association by a majority vote of the TACD Officers and Board of Directors.
In the years that have followed, much has been accomplished. Excellence and professionalism are strived for, lines of communication between district employees, district supervisors and other conservationists have been opened. With a wealth of talent and knowledge, one of Tennessee's most valuable resources is Conservation District Employees. District employees continue to reach out, promoting conservation throughout the state to not only landowners, but also to land users. District employees assist in the implementation of district programs, establish and maintain a high standard of quality, and carry on an education and improvement program while displaying pride and dedication in work and to those who are served.
Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts is pleased to sponsor four tours during the NACD Annual Convention. The tours are part of Tennessee's rich heritage and current scene.
Click on the tabs below to review details of each of the tours.
Click here to visit the registration page for the NACD Annual Convention.
Travellers Rest
Travellers Rest/TN Agricultural Museum/Music Star Homes
DATE: Saturday, January 27, 2018
TIME: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
COST: $77.00
Travellers Rest
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Travellers Rest was constructed by John Overton in 1799. A prominent early settler of Tennessee, John Overton was a close associate of Andrew Jackson, a circuit judge and one of the founders of Memphis, Tennessee.
The property was enlarged over the years to accomodate Overton's expanding family and those of his heirs. At one time, the plantation included 1050 acres.
Nashville is home to many celebrities and music stars, on the way home, the bus tour will pass several of the homes including former home of Web Pierce with the guitar shaped pool, Minnie Pearl, residences of Martina, Ronnie Millsap, Governor’s residence, Glen Leven Farm (http://landtrusttn.org/glen-leven/) and many other famous residents of Nashville.
Tennessee Agricultural Museum
The museum is housed in a renovated horse barn that was built in the 1920s on the Brentwood Hall estate of financier Rogers Caldwell. The museum has a priceless collection of artifacts. Farm equipment, household items, tools, textiles, rural Tennessee prints and photographs depict a time from the early 1800s to the 1930s.
TACD has included in the tour: Live demonstrations of Spinning, Quilting, and Grist Mill and of course, music. The Museum is part of the Barn Quilt Trail and one of the barns house the Metro Nashville Mounted Patrol Walking Horses. Boxed lunch included with tour as we drive through streets to view homes of Country Music stars. (A guide will be on the bus and provide information as you tour one of the most elite and historical parts of Nashville)
Click here for must-see items in the Museum.
Traveller's Rest was featured on Tennessee Crossroads which features Tennessee attractions. View the program below.
Grand Ole Opry
Saturday Night on Broadway in Music City and the “Grand Ole Opry”
Become part of the Nashville scene when you when visit downtown Broadway and attend the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. Known as the Mother Church of Country Music, the Grand Ole Opry has been a Saturday night radio show for over 90 years. Before and After the Opry, visit lower Broad. Nashville's collection of dive bars and other attractions where many country music stars got their start.
Buses will begin leaving Opryland at 5:00 pm to tour Broadway and dine at one of the many restaurants downtown. The Opry show begins at 7:00 pm and ends at 9:00 pm. Buses will return to the hotel throughout the evening; the last bus will be leaving at 11:00 pm.
Jack Daniels
Daniels Distillery Tour & Lunch at Miss Mary Bobo’s
DATE: Wednesday, January 31, 2018
TIME: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
COST: $115.00
Travel through beautiful Middle Tennessee to the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg. There you tour the historic distillery and enjoy lunch at the renown Miss Mary Bobo's.
The Distillery is located in Moore County, a "dry" county, where the product cannot be purchased legally. The product has been produced at this location since shortly after the Civll War with a couple of exceptions during prohibition but like other history of the brand, the exact date is disputed.Not in dispute is the popularity of the Tennessee whiskey. In 2012, 11 million cases of the premier product, "Black Label" Tennessee sipping whiskey, were shipped world-wide.
Miss Mary Bobo's is a boarding house located just off the town square in Lynchburg. Miss Mary assumed ownership of the historic Salmon Hotel in 1908. The original structure was built in the 1820's. Though Miss Mary died in 1983 one month shy of age 102, midday dinners continue to be servered by reservation only. Visitors are promised a unique dining experience in the southern tradition.
See video's about Jack Daniels Distrillery and Miss Mary Bobo's below:
Belle Meade Mansion
Belle Meade Plantation Tour, Lunch and Wine Tasting
DATE: Wednesday, January 31, 2018
LOCATION: Belle Meade Plantation
TIME: 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
COST: $99.00
Step back in time when you visit the Belle Meade Mansion. Built in the Federal Style in 1820 by John Harding, the mansion for an elegant NACD tour, lunch and wine tasting. The plantation began as 250 acres along Richland Creek and the Natchez Trace. It is also known as the "Queen of Southern Plantations."
In 1853, the mansion was enlarged and converted to the Greek Revival style by John Harding's son, John Giles Harding, a planter, horse breeder and Confederate Brigadier General. The Mansion was the Confederate Headquarters during the Battle of Nashville and there was a skirmish on the grounds in 1864.
Though through acquisitions the plantation grew to 5400 acres, it was not used for farming operations but as a various service enterprises such as a blacksmith shop, cotton gin, and a grist and saw mill. Race horses were a major enterprise at Belle Meade and in addition to his own horses, Harding boarded horses for neighbors including Andrew Jackson.
Today, the property includes approxomately 30 acres, 10 outbuildings including the original cabin, and a winery.
See more about the tour in the video below.
Soil Talk. On this page articles on soil health are posted in an easily accessible pdf format. The documents cover current issues on managing our lands for Soil Health including Pasture, Hay and Cropland. Our goal is to allow landowners to understand and adopt a science based approach to maintaining healthy soil beyond erosion control on the surface.
Timely Tips
Timely Tips is a newsletter written and published by Soil Health specialists including: Greg Brann, Jeremiah.Durbin, Mike Hubbs, and Pat Turman. Click on the tabs below to view each document.
Tennessee Association of Conservation DistrictsDistinguished Service Award Recipients |
||
| Year | Recipient | County |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | N/A | |
| 1993 | John Bradley | West Tennessee |
| 1994 | Robby McBride | Washington |
| 1995 | Roland Campbell | Lauderdale |
| 1996 | James Harris | Blount |
| 1997 | J. Merle Crawly | Hamilton |
| 1998 | Bob Bryant | Madison |
| 1999 | N/A | |
| 2000 | Jerry Taylor | Scott |
| 2001 | N/A | |
| 2002 | N/A | |
| 2003 | N/A | |
| 2004 | Bob Aikman | Rhea |
| 2005 | Daymond Broyles | Washington |
| 2006 | Franklin James | Madison |
| 2007 | Joe K. Thomas III | Sullivan |
| 2008 | Ken Givens | |
| 2009 | Austin Anderson | Coffee |
| 2010 | Jim Nance | Davidson |
| 2011 | Joe Jack & Jere Dement | Rutherford |
| 2012 | Glen Long | Roane |
| 2013 | N/A | |
| 2014 | Harold Totty | |