Rebecca McKinney, academic program director for Sustainable Agriculture in the Culinary Institute of the Carolinas at Greenville Technical College (GTC), received the Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District Urban Conservationist of the Year award, presented by the district’s board of commissioners.
McKinney was selected unanimously by the board for her commitment to conservation, new farmers, and sustainable agriculture as evidenced by her work to establish the Palmetto Farmers Market, the Cultivate conference, the SC Organization for Organic Living, and the Sustainable Agriculture program at GTC as well as her efforts as sustainability specialist for Bon Secours St. Francis Health System.
Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District commissioners and staff may submit nominations for this annual award, which was established in 1985 as a way to recognize contributions outside the farming community. Those honored have excelled in environmental protection or have made significant contributions to the advancement of conservation in an urban setting.