Senior Conservationists

We salute our Senior Conservationists for building and maintaining a very strong agency. Their legacy continues on the land and in the people they continue to serve.

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How can I qualify?

Any retiree who served in SCS or NRCS and who meets these criteria will be named a Senior Conservationist:

●  Must have served in the SCS or NRCS and be at least 83 years of age.

●  Must complete and submit the Senior Conservationist Questionnaire.

Note: Retiree does not have to be a member of ARCSE to qualify.

Senior Conservationist

For a list of current Senior Conservationists, click here

For a list of deceased Senior Conservationists, click here

2025 Senior Conservationist

Senior Conservationist Kenneth W. Overhults 

Kenneth W. Overhults was born 03/17/41 in Equality, Kentucky. He earned his BS degree in May 1964 at the University of Kentucky. He married Faye Carolyn on February 16, 2013, and they had one son and one daughter. He retired as a Resource Conservationist at the Burlington, KY Field Office in 1994. He received a certificate of merit in 1992. He was deemed a Master Builder of Men by the FarmHouse International Fraternity in 2004. And he was named to the Hall of Fame of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association in 2010. 

His career positions with SCS/NRCS were many: 

  • Jun-Sep 1960, Student Trainee (Agr Engr), Owensboro Area Office, Owensboro, KY 
  • Jun-Sep 1961, Student Trainee (Agr Engr), Mayfield Area Office, Mayfield, KY 
  • Jun-Aug 1962, Student Trainee (Soil Science), Owensboro Area Office, Owensboro, KY 
  • Jun-Aug 1963, Student Trainee (Soil Conservation), Stanton Field Office, Stanton, KY 
  • Jun 64-Sep1966, Soil Conservationist, Campton Sub-Field Office, Campton, KY 
  • Sep 66-Feb1967, Soil Conservationist, Dixon Field Office, Dixon, KY 
  • Feb 67-Nov1975, SC (District Conservationist), Manchester Field Office, Manchester, KY 
  • Nov 75-Mar 1985, SC (District Conservationist), Leitchfield Field Office, Leitchfield, KY 
  • Mar 85-Jun 1986, Resource Conservationist, Owensboro Area Office, Owensboro, KY 
  • Jun 86-Jan 1987, Resource Conservationist, Hartford Field Office, Hartford. KY 
  • Jan 87-May 1987, Resource Conservationist, Leitchfield Field Office, Leitchfield, KY 
  • May 87-May 1988, Resource Conservationist, Hodgenville Feld Office, Hodgenville, KY 
  • May 88-May1991, Resource Conservationist, KY State Office, Lexington, KY 
  • May 91-Apr 1994, Resource Conservationist, Burlington Field Office, Burlington, KY 

Kenneth’s contact information is 460 Spencer Park, Lexington, KY 40515; tel. 859-272-6413; email koverhults@juno.com. 

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Senior Conservationist James E. McQuilkin 

James E. McQuilkin was born 12/25/40 in Henry, Illinois. He earned his BS in Agriculture in June 1964 at the Western Illinois University. He married Bonita Proctor on June 9, 1973, and they had one son, three daughters, and two grandchildren. He retired from the Henry, IL Field Office 12/2005, where he was a soil conservation technician. He did EWP work in the state of Oregon, overseeing streambank restoration projects. 

After retiring, he worked for the Maurer Stutz Engineering company in Henry, IL. His hobbies include woodworking and operating a sawmill. 

James’ contact information is 1093 Illinois Rte. 89, Mongolia, IL 61336; tel. (815) 869 3100; email soiltech1@yahoo.com. 

2024 Senior Conservationist

Senior Conservationist Kenneth E. Benham

Kenneth E. Benham was born 10/04/1941 in Cedar County, Missouri. He earned his B.S. in Soils in 1965 at the University of Missouri, and his M.S. in Agronomy in 1970. He grew up on a dairy/general farm. He started out with SCS as a Soil Scientist trainee in 1963 and 1964. He was a Soil Scientist party member from 06/03/65 to 02/02/75; and a Soil Scientist Party Leader from 02/02/75 to 01/02/99. He earned Certificates of Merit in 1970 and 1989. He also received a Certificate of Appreciation in 2009 for mapping over one million acres. He mapped soils part time for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources from Nov. 2000 to Apr. 2001. He retired on 01/02/99 as a Soil Scientist in Ava, MO. 

Ken says that his health is relatively good, especially when he is sitting in a tractor seat. He says “I have traveled in 50 states and eight foreign countries. I was part of a group that rafted through the Grand Canyon and on the Salmon River in Idaho. I was also part of a group that hiked through the Grampian Mountains in Scotland, and I climbed Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the British Isles at 4,409 feet.” 

Kenneth’s contact information is 5023 W. 20th St., Joplin, MO 64804. 417-626-8695, kbenn@att.net. 

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Senior Conservationist Loren William Berndt

Loren William Berndt was born 9/30/1937 in Bridgman, Michigan.

Loren’s contact information is 3868 Linke Rd., Bridgman, MI 49106, rustyauger2@aol.com; 269-326-0924.

Loren graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Soil Science in 1959. He married Erika on 10/27/2018 after losing his first wife Gertrude in 2016 after 43 years of marriage. He has three stepdaughters, six step-grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Before going to work for the SCS, he worked on the family farm.

He retired on 12/31/1993 as the Assistant State Soil Scientist in East Lansing, MI. His duty assignments included:

  •    1961 – 1964 Soil Scientist, Marquette, MI
  •    1964 – 1967 Project Leader for Delta County and West Unit of Hiawatha National Forest Soil Survey, Escanaba, MI
  •    1967 – 1978 Area 1 (Upper Peninsula of MI) Soil Scientist, Marquette, MI
  •    1978 – 1984 Project Leader, Baraga County Area Soil Survey, L’Anse, MI
  •    1984 – 1985 Project Leader, Houghton County Soil Survey, Handcock, MI
  •    1985 – 1993 Assistant State Soil Scientists, East Lansing, MI

He received the Melvin Jones Award from the Lions Club. His hobbies include birding, traveling, and gardening and is currently a volunteer driver for the Senior Center. He was a Partner and manager for the Berndt Brothers Vineyards from 1990 – 2017 and Lake Charter Township Supervisor from 1996 – 2002.

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Senior Conservationist Thomas Daniel McCain

Thomas Daniel McCain was born 11/11/1940 in Delphi, Indiana. He is a graduate of Purdue University with a BS degree in agronomy (June, 1962). He was a soil conservationist with SCS in Monticello, Portland, and Lafayette. He then served as district conservationist in Williamsport (1964–1968) and Fort Wayne (1968–1987). He worked in the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) from 1987 to 1994. He retired on 4/22/94 as an agronomist. He worked with Dave Schertz on the Crop Residue Management Team. He worked as a consultant in Crop Residue Management with the agricultural industry from 1992 to 1998.

His interests after retiring include history and non-profit organizations. He was president of the Wabash & Erie Canal Association for 22 years after retiring in 1994 He is a member of the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission.

He became an Earth Team Volunteer in Indiana on the day that he retired in 1994. Shortly thereafter the SCS was renamed the NRCS. He says that “My seven years at the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) were the most exciting and productive time of my career. I traveled to 38 states and three countries, speaking or coordinating meetings or gathering information. I was responsible for the collection of count level crop reside acreage data from 3,092 counties in the US, and disseminating these data to the agricultural industry, government entities, and the farm media from 1987 through 1994.”

Dan’s contact information is 3198 North 700 West, Delphi, IN 46923; 765-412-4308; dan.mccain@gmail.com.

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Senior Conservationist Thornton J.F. Hole

Senior conservationist Thornton Hole was born Aug. 2,1931, in Wapakoneta, Auglaize County, Ohio. He received a BS degree in Agronomy (Soil Science) from Ohio State University in June 1954. He married Joanne Sitler, Aug 21,1955, in Columbiana, OH. They were married nearly 65 years when she passed away in 2020. They had two sons, John, and Kevin; and three daughters, Rebecca, Karen, and Pamela. They have eight grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

Thornton began his SCS career as a student trainee in 1952 (GS2) and 1954 (GS4) in Columbus, OH. Upon graduation, June 1954, he was assigned as a Soil Scientist in Tiffin OH (GS 5,7,9). He and Charles Innis found a collection of Peccary bones which were given to Bowling Green University, OH for identification. In 1963, Thornton was reassigned to the Erie County Soil Survey Party, Sandusky, OH(GS9). In 1966 Thornton was reassigned to the Washington County Soil Survey Party at Marrietta, OH (GS9). He left Ohio and went to New Jersey in 1969, where he was assigned to the Atlantic County Soil Survey Party in Mays Landing, NJ (GS11). He worked in Mays Landing until 1974, when he was assigned to the Ocean County Soil Survey Party in Toms River, NJ (GS11). In 1978, he returned to the Mays Landing office as the District Conservationist for the Cape-Atlantic Soil Conservation District. In 1988, Thornton then became the Soil Scientist (GS11) for Southern Jersey based in Hammonton, NJ. He worked there until he retired in 1994.

Thornton served in the US Army Reserves for 28 years. While in the Reserves he completed all the required Military training and was on active duty from 1955 to 1957. He was stationed in Battery B, 176 AA Missile Battalion Edgemont, PA (Philadelphia Air defense). He reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

After retirement, Thornton and his wife had the opportunity to travel the world, visiting Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, Alaska, Canada, and South America. Currently he is enjoying researching his Genealogy and maintaining his flower garden.

Thornton’s contact information: 215 Boston Avenue, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215; Tel. 609-965-2502; cell 609-705-5507, joacky@aol.com.

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Senior Conservationist Carey Franklin Evans

Senior conservationist Carey Franklin Evans was born February 25, 1941 in Edenton, North Carolina. He married Loretta B. Evans, 02/25/1962. They had one son, one daughter, five grandchildren, and 2 Great Grandchildren.

Carey began his SCS career as a surveying aid from 1961 to 1964 in Chowan County, NC. He worked as a civil engineering technician in Pender County from 1964 to 1968; in Pitt County from 1968 to 1973; and in Wake County from 1973 to 2003. He retired on 12/31/2003 in Raleigh, NC.

Carey received the NRCS Employee of the Year Award by the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation in 1997. The Wake County SWCD presented him their Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award for 2003. The NC Irrigation Society presented Carey their Irrigation Award for 2004. He also received the North Carolina Department of Transportation Roadside Environmental Award for 2005 to 2006. He was also an Eco Turf Environmental Inspector from 2006 to 2008. He has also been active with the NC Baptist Men Disaster Relief Organization, which has entailed travelling to provide his services.

Carey received several NRCS Work Performance Awards during his career.

Carey’s contact information: 1124 Alcott Ct., Raleigh, NC 27609; Tel. 919-801-8738; fevans2@nc.rr.com.

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Senior Conservationist John R. “Dick” Bogard

John R. “Dick” Bogard was born 09-16-1940 in Norman, OK. He graduated Oklahoma State University with a BS in Agronomy/Soils in 1962. He married Cloyce Avon Bogard on 03-21-1964. Sons: Vinson D. Bogard McKinney, TX; Alan V. Bogard, Portland, OR. Grandchildren: Sklar, Pierce, and Hannah. Sixty-year wedding anniversary 03-21-2024.

US Air Force Reserve Active Duty 1962–1965, 355th Tac Fighter Squadron Administrative Officer and squadron Officer Commander George AFB and McConnell AFB. 1967–1984 Civil Engineering Officer, Tinker AB. Retired as Major 1984.

Seven Air Force medals, including the AF Commendation Medal as Base Agronomist, Tinker AFB 1983; AF Longevity Service Ribbon with Four Oak Leaf Clusters.

SCS and NRCS career: 1965–1967 Soil Conservationist, Perry, OK; 1968–1971 District Conservationist, Blackwell, OK; 1971–1992 District Conservationist, Pawhuska, OK; 1992–1995 RC&D Coordinator, Tallgrass RC&D, Pawhuska, OK. Retired NRCS 01-03-1995 as RC&D Coordinator, Pawhuska, OK. Two Outstanding ratings with NRCS.

Kiwanian Layperson of the Year in 2007. And Kiwanian of the Year 2014–2015 in Durant, OK.

Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation Executive Directory in Pawhuska, OK 1996. Child Welfare Specialist in Pawhuska 1998–2003 and in Durant, OK 2004–2006 and 2008–2018. Curator of the Three Valley Museum in Durant, OK 2007.

Baptist Deacon 1968 to present. Certified Disaster Relief Chaplain, Durant, OK.

Kidney cancer survivor, presently in good health. Wife Avon is also a cancer survivor.

Dick’s contact information: 2002 W. Locust St., Durant, OK 74701; cell (580) 745-4300, home (580) 931-8995; email dbogard7777@att.net.

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Senior Conservationist Michael H. Bogard

Michael H. Bogard was born 02-26-1941 in San Sabo, TX. He graduated Texas A&M University with a BS degree in 1967. He is married to Mary Beth Bogard, and they have a son and a grandson. Before working with the SCS, he worked on farms and in a feed store. He retired September 2003 as a District Conservationist in Groesbeck, TX.

  • GS-5, Soil Conservationist, Vernon, Texas, June 1967 – July 1968.
  • GS-7, Soil Conservationist, Memphis, Texas, July 1968 – March 1970.
  • GS-9, Soil Conservationist, Lamesa, Texas, March 1970 – July 1974.
  • GS-9, District Conservationist, Groesbeck, Texas, July 1974 – January 1975.
  • GS-11, District Conservationist, Groesbeck, Texas, January 1975 – 1998.
  • GS-12, District Conservationist, Groesbeck, Texas, 1998 – 2003

He worked part time for a consulting service from 203 to 2005. He plays golf and is in very good health.

Michael’s contact information: 108 Sunny Lane, Gatesville, TX 76528; cell (580) 745-4300, home (254) 248-7795; email mbogard41@gmail.com.

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Senior Conservationist Nevin Lyle Ulery

Nevin Lyle Ulery was born September 3rd, 1941 at Alverton, PA. He graduated from Connellville Joint Senior High School in 1959 and earned his B.S. degree in Agronomy at Penn State U. (PSU) in June, 1963. He and his wife Judy grew up on adjoining dairy farms in Fayette County, PA and have been married for 60 years. They have two married daughters, Beth of Elizabeth, PA and Amy of Oak Harbor, WA. They also have four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Nevin began his SCS career as a student trainee in York County (1960), Washington County (1961), and Butler County in 1962. Upon graduation from PSU, he worked as a soil conservationist in Bucks, York, and Chester Counties. He served as the Work Unit Conservationist in Northumberland and Erie Counties before becoming RC&D Coordinator for the Penn’s Corner RC&D Area. During this time the RC&D Area expanded from five to nine counties in southwestern PA. He also served on the Rural Abandoned Mine Program inventory team in 15 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. He retired in January, 2003.

During his SCS career Nevin received several outstanding performance ratings. He was awarded the ARCSE President’s Outstanding Community Service Award om 2011. The PA Project Grass Program gave him a Life-Time Achievement Award. The Westmoreland County Conservation District gave him a Service Award for Contributions to Conservation and the Quality of Life in Westmoreland County. He was also given an award for Volunteerism from the Western PA Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Nevin served in the PA National Guard for six years and was activated by the Governor of PA to help stop rioting in Pittsburgh, PA following the death of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
He has been active in the United Methodist Church since his childhood. At present he serves on the board of trustees of Central Highland Community United Methodist Church at Elizabeth, PA. He also serves as coordinator of the “Hands of the Carpenter” volunteer program, which builds ramps for the elderly and handicapped in the surrounding community. The volunteers also do minor repair work for folks in this urban/rural community. In his “spare time” he enjoys working in his flower and vegetable gardens.

He has served in various positions with the Keystone Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. He also has been active with several Rails to Trails groups in southwest PA. He participated in mission work for several years at Heart and Hand House in Phillipi, WV. He also spent two weeks doing home repairs on the Navaho Reservation at Shiprock,
NM. In 2007 he spent two weeks in Ankaase, Ghana in West Africa where he worked with a team from PA to do maintenance and repair work at a local rural hospital.

Judy and Nevin enjoy traveling around the USA and have visited over 30 national parks and all 50 states. They have also travelled to Israel twice and to Egypt and Jordan. In 2022 they visited Costa Rica and have gone on five cruises.

Although he has been dealing with chronic kidney failure for several years, he is in good overall health. Nevin and Judy currently reside at 415 Stoneybrook Drive, Elizabeth, PA 15037; 412-384-3574; njulery@gmail.com.