Bill Yarborough is used to getting applause. After all, he frequently speaks to audiences and has also won numerous awards for his work in conservation. But the award he received two weeks ago in Greensboro, “Outstanding Conservation District Supervisor,” was different.

It came from an organization largely made up of employees from the 96 soil and water conservation districts across North Carolina — the N.C. District Employees Association. Yarborough serves on the Board of Supervisors for the Haywood District, but his leadership obviously extends beyond these mountains to inspire district employees in every part of the state.

Soil and water conservation districts are each led by a five-member board of supervisors. While it’s not uncommon for employees to know some of the supervisors who ...