New Hampshire NRCS employee nationally recognized

DOVER, N.H. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has reason to celebrate early this calendar year.

Resource Conservationist and State Grazing Specialist, Daimon Meeh, was honored on January 11, 2021 by the USDA with an Early Career Rangeland and Pastureland Conservationist Award at the American Forage and Grassland Council Virtual Conference.

Daimon Meeh examines a beef producer’s grazing plots and provides technical assistance in developing paddock layouts and the future use of automated gates at a farm in Conway, N.H. August 6, 2020. Meeh, an employee of five years with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, is the State Grazing Specialist and was recently honored with the 2020 Early Career Rangeland and Pastureland Conservationist Award for his work locally, regionally and nationally. He was citied for his leadership, potential, and help in increasing implementation of modern grazing systems and best management practices for livestock and nutrient management in the Granite State. (Natural Resources Conservation Service photo by Jeremy J. Fowler, Public Affairs Specialist, NRCS, N.H.)

Meeh, who has been in his position for the last five years in New Hampshire, was recognized for his leadership, professional potential and knowledge of his specialty during that time.

“You have been very effective in communicating with producers and fellow professionals in many settings, including direct assistance in the field and presentations to groups of producers,” said Acting Chief of the NRCS Kevin Norton in a congratulatory letter to Meeh.

Regarded as the subject matter expert for grazing in the Granite State, Meeh’s influence and knowledge extends far beyond the borders of this small state. Regionally he is known for his ability to explain grazing systems and elaborate to producers how those systems can positively impact their operations and conservation efforts on their lands. His influence even spills over to the national level as he continues to work on training programs for the Department’s AgLearn platform – an enterprise training and workforce development system for the Department’s more than 100,000 employees. Recently, Meeh has even worked with the University of Wisconsin to develop AgLearn trainings for: The Pasture Condition Score Sheet, Forage Suitability Groups and the basics of plant identification.

Daimon Meeh holds his 2020 Early Career Rangeland and Pastureland Conservationist Award at his home in Canterbury, N.H. January 13, 2021. Meeh, a Grazing Specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the state, received the honor for his work in increasing implementation of modern grazing systems and best management practices for livestock and nutrient management locally and for his work in developing training for these programs at the national level. (Courtesy Photo)

The news came as a surprise to Meeh. “I really thank the farmers and colleagues who have contributed to my professional career and helped get me to a place where I am recognized by this award,” he said. “It is an exciting honor and it invigorates me to continue the important work that I am doing, and I sincerely thank the American Forage and Grassland Council for this as well.”

Despite our small size, the National Grazing Lands Coalition has recognized New Hampshire as a state with strong potential in pasture-based agriculture, and Meeh has been a large part of that.

Grazing management is a passion that he has that carries far beyond the limits of his duties at the NRCS. In addition to his job with the Department, Meeh also serves as an ex-officio member of Granite State Graziers Board of Directors and serves on the executive committee for the Northeast Pasture Consortium.

One of Meeh’s most critical contributions cited by the award was his ability to really connect with producers and explain the intricacies of grazing management in a clear and relatable manner.

“I appreciate your effort in bringing to NRCS a series of multi-day workshops that walk producers through the process of developing a grazing plan for their own farms. I have been told that your presentations are always popular with attendees and that you are mindful of your audiences, doing a great job covering the material and answering questions. Your ability to connect with people by using a compassionate approach is an effective skill and trait that will benefit both you, audiences and the agency as you move forward with your career,” Norton said.

Daimon Meeh (right) meets with Joyce Brady (left), an agricultural producer at the CJEJ Farm to provide technical assistance in developing paddock layouts and the future use of automated gates at the farm in Columbia, N.H. August 27, 2020. Meeh was recently honored with the 2020 Early Career Rangeland and Pastureland Conservationist Award for his ability to connect and explain modern grazing systems and best management practices for livestock and nutrient management and influencing adoption of these practices beyond the Granite State. (Natural Resources Conservation Service photo by Jeremy J. Fowler, Public Affairs Specialist, NRCS, N.H.)

Meeh looks forward to continuing his career with NRCS in New Hampshire and increasing his capability in demonstrating and explaining the benefits of sustainable grazing solutions to producers. With an eye to the future he plans on trying to innovate approaches to increase adoption of these systems both locally and nationally.

“I congratulate you on your award and glad you are part of our NRCS family. Keep up the good work, you have a great foundation to build upon, and we wish you well as you pursue your future NRCS career endeavors!” concluded Norton in his letter.

–Jeremy J. Fowler, Public Affairs Specialist,
Natural Resources Conservation Service, N.H.

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