NRCS Celebrates Conservation Planning Excellence

By Scout Nelson

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service named Shane Jordan, a Resource Conservationist based in Clark, South Dakota, as the national winner of the 2025 Hugh Hammond Bennett Award for Conservation Excellence. The award recognized his outstanding career in conservation planning, soil health leadership, and long-term service to farmers and ranchers.

Jordan’s commitment to conservation began during his youth on his family’s corn and soybean farm in the Loess Hills of west-central Iowa. He gained early experience caring for sheep, cattle, gardens, and trees while learning the value of land stewardship through outdoor activities and hands-on farm work.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in range management from South Dakota State University, Jordan built a strong conservation background through roles with USDA AmeriCorps, the McKenzie County Grazing Association, and watershed coordination programs. In 1996, Jordan joined NRCS as a Range Conservationist in Faulkton, South Dakota.

Jordan later served as District Conservationist in Redfield for 23 years, including leadership across Spink and Clark counties. When Jordan arrived, participation in conservation programs was limited. Through trust building and strong partnerships with local producers and conservation districts, Jordan expanded enrollment in major USDA programs and helped manage more than 250 Conservation Stewardship Program contracts.

In 2015, Jordan launched the Soil Health Summer Bus Tour after meeting soil health pioneer Gabe Brown. The program connected producers with farmers using core soil health principles and later expanded into winter education sessions featuring national experts.

In 2020, Jordan accepted a role on the Brookings Area Ecology Team, where he provided technical guidance in soil health, conservation planning, saline soils, and urban agriculture.

“For nearly 30 years, Shane has been an invaluable resource to our farm. His knowledge and dedication to conservation are reflected in the land he’s helped improve and the many families who have benefited from working with him. Many of our conservation efforts began with a simple conversation and a shared vision that Shane helped turn into a practical, lasting plan,” said producers Jamie and Brian Johnson.

Jordan also created a monthly soil health newsletter and focused heavily on education and mindset change. 

Producer Jeff Hamilton said, “Shane has a very good understanding of needing to look at conservation from a systems approach versus individual practices. He proved helpful in assisting in my initial steps of applying composts and extracts. I value his viewpoint and believe his heart is truly in conservation. Even at the end of his career, he is still willing to learn, which isn't always common.”

The award honored Jordan’s lifelong dedication to conservation planning that created lasting change on the land.
 
For more information about the NCPP, visit www.ncpp.info.

Photo Credit: usda-nrcs