Danny Howard – Interview

I recently interviewed Danny Howard, a Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation Commissioner. Many times, people see this position on a voting ballot and have no idea what this is or what a commission does. I hope you find this interview interesting!

I know you recently retired, but what was your job before you retired? 

Dedicated 40 years of service as an Extension Agent in Agriculture & Natural Resources with Auburn University, University of Georgia & Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.

You also were recently reelected for Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation Commission. How long have you been doing that and what do you do?

I have been serving the Greenville County Soil and Conservation District as an elected commissioner for 16 years. Below is what we do as a conservation district:

"Across the United States, there are 3,000 conservation districts working to protect and sustain the soil, the water, the forests, the wildlife, the air and any other related natural resources.

The Greenville County Soil & Water Conservation District receives funding from County Council and the S.C. State Department of Natural Resources to conduct programs.

Five unpaid commissioners, three elected in the general election and two appointed by the state, meet monthly to guide the staff in following action plans for promoting conservation in various places and through educational opportunities. These meetings are open to the public.

With the ultimate goal of saving the soil and water for future generations of South Carolinians, the local conservation district relies on volunteers to install best management practices on the land and to become educated about the importance of taking care of these natural resources.

A conservation district is a local subdivision of state government coordinating assistance from its own county and the federal government, through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, to assist farmers, city dwellers, school teachers, students, concerned citizens and other agricultural agencies as land and water are protected and managed."

What conservation issues do you think people should be aware of?

Plastics in our environment, water quality & supply, loss of agriculture land to development, soil erosion, air quality as Greenville county grows, loss of our agricultural heritage in knowing where our food comes from and how it is produced.

What else do you do now that you are retired? Are you a member of other organizations? If so, what?

·      Elected soil and water commissioner for Greenville Co. 2019–2022 (4-year term)

·      Sustainable ag. advisory committee for Clemson University

·      Sustainable ag. advisory committee for the Culinary Institute of the Carolinas

·      State Farm Bureau honey bee advisory council

·      Greenville Co. Farm Bureau board of directors

·      S.C. Ag. Council-representing Clemson Uni. Extension Admin.

·      Woodmont High school Young Farmers 

·      Synergy Garden- Fountain Inn to provide vegetables to the food banks.

·      Upstate Master Naturalist Assoc.- exec. advisor & historian

·      Jocassee Wild Nature education program board member

Thank you so much, Commissioner! I think it is important for people to realize what an important job you do and thank you for your service!