May 15, 2022

Join individuals and groups from throughout Hillsborough County as they get set to showcase their Action Awareness Projects for the annual Hillsborough 100 Conservation Challenge, presented by the Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District (HSWCD).

The kickoff luncheon for the 2022 challenge was held April 27 at The Regent in Riverview, drawing a large crowd across a wide range of for-profit and nonprofit interests in both the public and private sectors, driving home the HSWCD mission that "conservation is everybody's business."

A big draw for Hillsborough 100 is the 28-page newspaper tabloid that comes out annually, featuring not only the work ahead, but also the accomplishments of the past, with lots of information about conservation programs, projects and activities; fairs and festivals; youth contests and events; community gardening and u-picks; conservation and environmental days of celebration; profiles of HSWCD supervisors; history of the soil and water conservation district movement nationwide; and more.

The tabloid, published April 24 by the Tampa Bay Times, with content provided by HSWCD, includes notice of the challenge's more than 150 cooperating and/or advertising partners. In addition to conservation news, tips, projects and upcoming events, the publication explores the work of conservation-minded partners, including the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Service; Hillsborough Fare Bureau; Florida Farm Bureau; American Farm Bureau Federation; Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS); Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA); Hillsborough County's Agricultural Industry Development Program; Hillsborough's Environmental Protection Commission (EPC); Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD); National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD); and Association of Florida Conservation Districts (AFCD).

Following a break in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hillsborough 100 returns for a fifth year of active participation with spots open year-round for any interested individual, family, organization or school, joining in concert with other agricultural, business, civic and community groups, governmental organizations and youth groups, such as scouts, 4-H and FFA.

For information and to sign up for the Hillsborough 100 Conservation Challenge, contact Betty Jo Tompkins at 813-477-8332. Email: bjt6890@yahoo.com.