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SOIL CONSERVATION SOCIETY OF AMERICA
1959
Purpose: To honor Dr. Hugh Hammond Bennett, Falls Church, VA,
"Father of Soil Conservation."
Organization: Society founded by Dr. Bennett in
1943 as non-profit association; dedicated to advance science and art of good
land use. Later renamed Soil and Water Conservation Society, which "serves
as an advocate for conservation professionals and for science-based
conservation practice, programs, and policy." By 2000, worldwide membership
numbered 5,000, with 75 chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Site, Date: Fourteenth Annual Meeting of Society
held at Rapid City, South Dakota, Aug. 26, 1959, where Medal was presented
to each registrant.
Comment: Dr. Bennett joined old U.S. Bureau of
Soils, Washington, DC, in 1903; worked diligently for more than 25 years
against unnecessary "soil washing." Later, he became head of Soil
Conservation Service, serving until 1951. Through his efforts, Congress made
first appropriation of $160,000 in 1929 to investigate erosion and by 1960
Federal program reached into every county with 2,700 soil conservation
districts functioning under leadership of state governments. Agency renamed
on Oct. 20, 1994, to Natural Resources Conservation Service to emphasize
broader mission of conservation in all areas including water, air, plants,
and animals, not just soil.
Medal: Conceived by Council of Soil Conservation
Society of America; designed by H. Wayne Pritchard, executive secretary of
Society; struck by Meyer and Wenthe, Chicago, IL.
Total issue limited to 2,200 pieces in two strikings of
1,200 and 1,000. First lot distributed free to registrants at 14th Annual
Meeting of Society as above indicated; second lot struck later and "made
available for $1 to members and friends of Society who wanted a copy." In
September 1960, Society advised that no additional medals would be struck
and that dies would be destroyed.
 
Obv. Male head l., below Hugh Hammond Bennett--within
inner circle; outside around Commemorating Soil and Water Conservation;
below 1929--1959
Rev. Official insignia of Society (handful of
soil up to sun and rain)--in center circle; outside, around Soil
Conservation Society of America with star below.
HK-574 Gilt, lacquered finish. 34mm.
HK-574a White Metal.
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