Dr. Tina Gray Teague says she was just trying to help some consultant friends obtain CEU credits for conservation and water quality courses when she organized the Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference more than 20 years ago.

Teague, professor of entomology and plant science at Arkansas State University, seemed amazed at how the Soil and Water Conference has grown over the years. A total of 374 participants registered for the 20^th anniversary conference, which was held at the First National Bank Arena on the ASU campus.

For her efforts she was honored with the conference’s “Conservationist of the Year” award, which was presented at the awards luncheon during the conference. Forrest Laws, retired director of content for Delta Farm Press and Farm Press Publications, received the conference’s first “Friend of Conservation” Award.

“I really didn’t know that much about soil and water — I’m an entomologist,” said Teague. “But we put together a conference, and it took off from there. I have always been interested in conservation and cotton sustainability. I have learned so much from attending these meetings over the years.”

This year’s conference featured presentations on rural development, soil structure, precision agriculture, irrigation, water availability, the 2018 farm bill, the Resource Conservation Partnership Program, cover crops and water and soil conservation efforts on Arkansas farms.

Here are some photos from this year’s event: