Local soil conservationist Eddie Foster was named the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservationist of the Year at an all-employee meeting Oct. 15 in Chandler. Foster works in the Safford office of the NRCS and has been with the service for nearly five years.

Foster told the Courier the award was extremely humbling, and it was the actions of the producers in the Gila Valley that enabled him to receive the honor.

“There’s probably a lot more qualified (conservationists) in the state that are more deserving,” he said, “and to me, it’s really a testament to our producers and their willingness to continue to evolve and continue to be better. There’s a lot of good producers in this Valley; they’re probably on the cutting edge as any in the country.”

Eddie Foster enjoys the outdoors, where he most feels at home. Foster was recently named the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservationist of the Year. Contributed photo

Some of the conservation efforts Foster has been involved with this year include the installation of seven-pivot watering systems that irrigate 375 acres, the installation of 600 acres of underground drip irrigation, testing filter strips to trap sediment in the Gila River and conservation planning on more than 6,000 acres.

A pivot system consists of several segments of pipe with sprinklers placed throughout and mounted on wheels. It moves in a circular pattern around a pivot point in the center of the circle to irrigate a crop.

A drip system delivers water and nutrients directly to where the plant needs it. This application saves both water and fuel due to not having to manually apply the nutrients. The process helps the producer economically while also helping the environment.

The filter strip project is funded by a grant from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and has a side benefit of trapping fertilizers or pesticides that may run off a field from making it to the river.

Foster told the Courier the Gila Valley has been his favorite place to work and that he has learned much from the local farmers.

“Even with the position I’m in, I will go out and learn more in a meeting with them than they will ever learn from me,” he said. “It’s pretty cool.”

When he’s not helping area farmers conserve the environment and their pocketbooks, Foster enjoys raising bucking cattle for Professional Bull Riding events, hunting and fishing. His greatest challenge may soon be upon him, however, because he and his wife are expecting their first child.