NRG Dewey Prairie Garden Honored with Conservation Award
The NRG Dewey Prairie Garden was formally recognized with the Conservation Award by the Jonathan Hardin Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), part of the Texas Society DAR, during an awards ceremony held Friday evening, March 13.
Melanie Cooper of the NRG Dewey Prairie Garden was recently honored with a conservation award for her leadership in sustainable land restoration and community impact.
Texas Farm Credit supported the garden’s nomination and joined partners in celebrating this well-deserved recognition of its impact across Leon, Limestone, and Freestone Counties. The recognition highlights the collaborative efforts behind the garden and its growing impact on conservation and community engagement.
The NRG Dewey Prairie Garden began as a land reclamation project and has grown into a vital source of fresh, healthy produce for regional food pantries in communities where food insecurity rates remain higher than the national average. Each year, the garden provides thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables to families in need while also serving as a living classroom for students and residents to learn about agriculture, conservation, and stewardship of natural resources.
A Partnership Rooted in Conservation
Texas Farm Credit’s connection to the garden began through its ongoing partnership with Texan by Nature (TxN), a statewide nonprofit founded by former First Lady Laura Bush to advance conservation that benefits people, prosperity, and natural resources.
In 2023, Texas Farm Credit joined TxN’s Conservation Catalyst membership with an initial $20,000 contribution. Since then, the cooperative has continued its annual $20,000 investment through its Passion Forward initiative, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainable agriculture, land conservation, and collaborative impact across Texas.
As Texas Farm Credit prepared for its merger with Heritage Land Bank in 2024, the organization sought meaningful volunteer opportunities that would unite employees from both legacy associations. Through TxN, the NRG Dewey Prairie Garden was identified as an ideal partner.
Since that time, Texas Farm Credit employees have volunteered at the garden on a monthly basis, contributing paid volunteer hours to planting, harvesting, and maintaining the site. These hands-on efforts support the garden’s operations while strengthening employees’ connection to conservation and service in the rural communities they serve.
“Conservation is not just a concept for us, it’s personal,” said Texas Farm Credit Chief Executive Officer Mark Miller. “Supporting projects like the NRG Dewey Prairie Garden reflects our belief that strong rural communities depend on healthy land, collaborative partnerships, and long-term stewardship.”
Advancing a Shared Mission
The Conservation Award recognizes projects that demonstrate excellence in environmental stewardship and meaningful community impact. The NRG Dewey Prairie Garden exemplifies that model, pairing land reclamation with food security, education, and regional collaboration.
Through its partnership with Texan by Nature, Texas Farm Credit remains committed to advancing conservation initiatives that support farmers, ranchers, and rural families across the state.
To learn more about Texan by Nature and its conservation initiatives, visit www.TexanByNature.org.
About Texas Farm Credit
Texas Farm Credit is a leading agricultural lending cooperative serving rural communities across 101 Texas counties. As part of the nationwide Farm Credit System, established in 1916, Texas Farm Credit provides competitive financing and insurance solutions to farmers, ranchers, rural residents, and agribusinesses.