Congratulations to John “Zane” Bernard for winning the Associate Director of the year award at the Virginia Soil and Water Conference! 

As Associate Director, Zane partnered with Director Laura, and her brother Joey to build the seed library which provides free seeds to gardeners in the community. He also helps assist Director Laura Thompson to run a 12-week internship program open to students 14 years of age and up. He has transformed the internship program with his knowledge of conservation and leadership in projects. Zane leads the Farmer Resource Project which will result in a comprehensive directory of private and public entities that provide conservation services, such as VCAP and VACS,  within Central Virginia and the James River Soil and Water Conservation District. This Project will help ensure Virginia farmers understand and can access all of the resources available to them.

Since January, Zane has volunteered over 273 hours towards James River Soil and Water going above and beyond what started as an 80-hour Volunteer Fellowship in Management position with Director Laura Thompson. In addition to government organizations, Zane previously has worked with dozens of non-profit and for-profit entities such as the American Chestnut Foundation, Nature Camp, Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, Hardway Farm, and more. His accomplishments include rockwork on the Appalachian Trail, fighting wildfire in three states, working as a deckhand on a commercial fishing vessel in Bristol Bay, and leading a virtual ornithology class.