Tribute to a Cowboy

NACD's mission is to serve conservation districts by providing national leadership and a unified voice for natural resource conservation.

Tribute to a Cowboy

Photo courtesy of NCBA. NACD President Olin Sims died unexpectedly in from injuries suffered in a ranching accident on December 7, 2007. He was many things to many people, but to conservation districts, he was our President, our leader, our friend and a man who lived what he preached. He was raised on a ranch in McFadden, Wyoming, where he his family put a high priority on caring for the land. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy will remain in our lives and hearts.

Maybe you knew Olin for 20 years, maybe you just met him once, or maybe you never saw him in person but heard his voice on his prized "America's Voice for Conservation" audio clips. He's an easy man to remember; he didn't know a stranger. We have collected your stories, thoughts and memories and shared them with his family and posted them on this web page.

Message from the Sims Family

We can't even begin to express our gratitude to all of you who have contributed in one way or another during this sad time in our lives. It has been amazing and wonderful for Tyler and I at the outpouring of support from people all over this great country.

Olin touched many lives. I'm glad that so many of you did meet him, whether it was for a moment or for a lifetime. You truly did meet an honest and caring man. He carried with him everywhere he went the pride of his family and the love of the land.

We are so thankful and treasure the time we had with him, and deeply saddened of the time we will miss with him.

"A life well-lived is a precious gift
of hope and strength and grace
from someone who has made our world
a brighter, better place.
It's filled with moments sweet and sad,
with smiles and sometimes tears,
with friendships formed
and good times shared
and laughter through the years.
A life well-lived is a legacy
of joy and pride and pleasure,
a loving, lasting memory
our grateful hearts will treasure"

Thank you all so very much.

Tammie and Tyler Sims
McFadden, Wyoming

Dear Krysta and Staff,

I apologize for being so long in writing to you but I have been struggling to find the right words to tell you how much we and my family appreciate you and your staff and all the others associated with the Conservation Districts who came so far to give the support and the kind words about Olin that you did. When Olin asked me to go to Washington D.C. in July with he and Tammie that was one of the greatest "gifts" he ever gave me. I am so glad I did go and was able to meet all of the people he worked with and talked about so much. While on the ranch we were working with the conservations districts then so Olin grew up with that association. I always managed to give him a call wherever he was (sometimes in an air terminal) and if I didn't get him he never failed to call me back. Many times, on his way home from Denver or on his way through Laramie headed back to the ranch, Olin would call to share with me about his meetings and the people he had worked with on various issues. I will continue to keep the NACD web page on my computer so I can stay current with all of you as you continue to work to complete what Olin was unable to finish. A part of me has gone with Olin but I am left knowing how well he was respected by his many colleagues and friends. I am a very proud mother. Thank you again for being there to give your support to myself and my family.

Olin's "Mom"
Mary (Sims) & Don Benson

NACD Staff,

April and I would like to thank you for all of the support you have given us through this terrible time in our life. We are deeply saddened but are so very proud to have had Olin in our lives. He made all of us better people.

Olin came to Dad and I when he decided to become involved with NACD and wanted our approval. We all share a love for the land and knew there was not a better person to have supporting us in agriculture in this great country. We are very proud of the job that he did.

Olin was not only my brother but also my partner in ranching for the past 25 years. Oh what a change. We are very proud of the younger generation of our family because they show the love for ranching and focus to keep this ranch going. We are determined to make Olin proud of our efforts in conservation in the future.

Sincerely,
Scott & April Sims

Memories of Olin

BIG O
If you’re bigger than life
doesn’t that make you too big to die?

Guess not.

If your people would follow you through fire
and raging floods
doesn’t that mean you’re invincible?

Guess not.

If you’re doing what you love
and loving what you do
doesn’t that protect you?

Guess not.

If you’ve lived your whole life
for others, for your family and your land,
for your country and your work,
doesn’t that mean we can’t get along
without you?

Guess not.

If you’re the best man we ever knew,
and there’s no one else comes close
does that mean that none of us
will ever, ever forget you?

You bet!

Johnny Sundstrom
Deadwood, Oregon

My name is Tori Dietz and I’m the Director for the Washakie County Conservation District in Worland, Wyoming. I have been with the District since 1990 and knew and respected Olin. His passing has been a huge shock and devastation to me, as it has been for everyone who knew him. My story probably means more to me and is probably not of interest to others, but I wanted to share my story.

During our state convention few years ago, a bunch of us were in the bar after several day-long meetings and there were singers from the crowd using the karaoke machine. As the evening went on, and after a few drinks, I told Olin that I was also an auctioneer and in high school had memorized the auctioneer song. He went up and requested the song, and to my horror, asked me to sing it with him. Well, I can’t hold a tune, but of course, with a few drinks in me I knew I was an excellent singer and gathered up my courage and began singing the song with him.

Well, it’s been a long time since high school and I started out ok, but as the song went on, I discovered I had forgotten the lyrics and could only remember the part of “twenty-five dollar bill”….so, Olin, doing an excellent job, continued singing and every time it came to “twenty-five dollar bill” he would put the microphone in front of me and the song was so fast that all I could keep up with was saying the word “Bill”. The people at our table were laughing so hard they were crying!

Anyway, after we got back from convention, Olin sent me the words to the song! From that time forward, Olin called me “Bill.” Please don’t feel obligated to put this story in as I’m sure there will be better ones….just wanted to share.

Tori Dietz
Worland, Wyoming

This weekend, Olin Sims, President of the National Association of Conservation Districts, passed away in a tragic accident on his McFadden, Wyoming, ranch. Conservation lost one of its most respected voices, and I lost a friend.

Olin was a true conservationist who was equally committed to practicing conservation and advocating for it. A fourth generation rancher with a deep attachment to the land, he knew their ranch was more than a home or business—it was a heritage. He was a lifelong conservationist, and we all benefited from his stewardship. And, we benefited from his leadership.

For the past 20 years, Olin was formally involved in the conservation partnership through the conservation districts. From the local to the national level, Olin left his mark on policy. His credibility in conservation and agriculture, his keen insights, and his charisma made him one of conservation’s most effective advocates. A typical western rancher, Olin was a man of quiet confidence and when he spoke, you listened; and when you listened, you usually came away agreeing with him.

He was immediately likeable, and his passion for conservation was contagious. When he became President of the National Association of Conservation Districts, with his strong conservation ethic, you knew our nation’s natural resources would be in good hands. With his will and personality, you knew he was destined for great things, and the land would be better for it.

While I mourn his death, I believe there is a plan for all of us; so, while I will miss him, I take comfort in that belief. With his tragic passing, we see the fragility of life and the importance of living with a purpose. Olin lived his life with purpose and integrity. He inspired us, and his memory will continue to inspire me.

He was a good friend, a good conservationist, and a good man. He will not be forgotten.

Arlen Lancaster
Chief, NRCS
Washington, D.C.

Olin was an unbelievable man of which we are all proud to have known. My family’s ranch is in Albany County. I grew up learning from Olin. He guided me when I first began writing articles and news releases on beef. Then when I was Miss Rodeo Wyoming he auctioned off a home-made cake for $800! He was an amazing person. He will be missed.

Kerin Clark
Torrington, Wyoming

One fine spring day Olin headed to Washington, D.C. to testify before Congress as part of his role as President of the National Association of Conservation Districts. As he was checking into the hotel, he asked the man at the front desk if there was free wireless internet. The man sized him up and down (boots, hat and all) and then asked “YOU have a computer?” with a look of disbelief.

Olin made the mistake of telling the NACD staff about the man’s comment later that day. We teased him that he should have done one of two things: asked for an extra 6 luggage carts to bring in his computer from the truck or flip down his huge belt buckle and show the man his custom-made PDA.

In reality, Olin loved his gadgets and teeny-tiny laptop and Q and was quite tech-savvy. We had a lot of laughs about the man who didn’t think that cowboy could operate a computer.

NACD Staff

The Wyoming NRCS is deeply saddened by the loss of Olin Sims, a true conservationist who dedicated himself to improving the health of the land. Olin took his love of the land across the nation as he championed conservation of natural resources on private lands. He constantly emphasized the need for healthy lands for our future generations. NRCS in Wyoming has had the privilege of working with the Sims family over the past several decades as programs and technical assistance served as tools to carry out their commitment to conservation. Our deepest sympathies go to the Sims family. We will miss Olin, not only as a voice for conservation, but as a very special friend.

Wyoming NRCS

To the family of Olin Sims;

We were so surprised and greatly saddened to hear of Olin's passing. We just saw him last week at the Natural Resources Conference in Casper, Wyoming. He auctioneered the auction that Tuesday night, and as always when Olin was involved, it was lively and fun. Then on Thursday, we heard an interview with Olin on the radio that had been taped at the convention. He was always professional, well informed and well spoken. He was an honorable man, with great character. His loss will be felt for years to come throughout the agriculture and conservation communities. You, his family, however, will feel the greatest loss. Thank you for the sacrifices you made to share his time and talents will all of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please know that we care about you. We're praying for you and we support you through this very difficult time.

Morgan & Echo Renner
Meeteetse, Wyoming

Just a month before his death, Olin Sims was on the Gulf coast of Alabama as featured speaker at the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts' annual meeting. This western cowboy quickly won over the audience of deep south farmers and rural landowners with his humor and his genuine enthusiasm for conservation on the land. After his keynote speech he granted me an exclusive interview in which he emphasized his passion for preserving America's farm and ranch land. He promised to have the NACD Washington D.C. office send me some of NACD's latest issue papers. Within 24 hours I'd received the material Olin promised via e-mail. Like all good cowboys, Olin Sims proved to be a straight shooter! My deepest regrets to the Sims family and to all in the NACD family.

Jim Phillips
Contributing Editor
The Progressive Farmer magazine

American Farmland Trust was saddened to learn of the passing of Olin Sims, President of the National Association of Conservation Districts last week.

Olin exemplified great stewardship and care for our country's precious resources. His love of the land and leadership in the many conservation organizations he served will be missed, but leaves all of us a great standard to emulate, and a legacy to honor.

Our prayers and thoughts are with his family, community and colleagues. We hope that time will heal and return happy memories and a smile to your hearts.

Ralph Grossi
President
American Farmland Trust

We at the Bureau of Land Management extend to you our heartfelt sympathy on the death of NACD President Olin Sims. President Sims served tirelessly as a committed advocate for conservation in the community, on Capitol Hill and through creative partnerships with Federal agencies.

As NACD President, President of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, as a cowboy, rancher and family man, he set a standard of excellence we feel privileged to follow. He always spoke passionately about the conservation challenges we face; and humbly shared the victories in working to improve this nation’s natural resources. He led by example, and while we will miss his presence, we will work with conservation districts to continue the legacy of stewardship he stood for.

Henri Bisson
Deputy Director, Bureau of Land Management
Washington, D.C.

When Alaska hosted the Western Region Meeting several years back, Olin Sims, Gary Mast, Tim Reich and I toured around with former NACD Board Member Larry Traw of Chugiak, AK. Larry drove us all around in his big, fancy F-250 four-wheel drive pick up. The guys all commented on how nice an outfit the truck was. Olin added that he'd just gotten a new F-150 and how he enjoyed his new truck. Larry replied, "yes, those are good vehicles too. Lots of women drive them up here in Alaska."

Olin quickly quipped "I'll be giving mine to my wife as soon as I get home." The cab erupted with laughter.

Olin was great at making people laugh, smile and feel good.

Laura McNichol
Former NACD Staff

We are so sorry to hear about Olin, it is so hard to accept and comprehend that he has passed away. He will be missed by all and be remembered as a great leader!

Here are some thoughts of Olin that I would like to share:

I was truly impressed with how he related to all of us on such a personable way. That is an ability which is too rare these days. His commitment and passion in working for conservation was truly an inspiration. I enjoyed working with him on the Legislative Committee on how he valued everyone's input and will always remember his sincerity and ability to communicate so effectively. He was a true leader in every sense.

Carol Berg
2005-2006 MASWCD President
Minnesota

Krysta:

I have been thinking of you and the staff all week. I wish I had the right words to say that would lift your heavy hearts, but I can only offer you my sincere sympathies and prayers. I am glad I had a chance to meet Olin this summer and talk about his beautiful Wyoming and cattle. I told him that my husband said how much he enjoyed our visit to Wyoming in Sept of 06 and as a cattle boy himself, he appreciated a state where cattle outnumbered people by something like 5 to 1 (?). Olin laughed and said that was just one of the reasons he loved Wyoming.

God bless, Krysta . . . to you and everyone at NACD.

DeeDee Sigler
Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Indianapolis, Indiana

I had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Olin for the first time this past February in Los Angeles at the 2007 NACD National Meetings, both prior and then following his becoming President. As chair of Urban Conservation for the Nevada Association of Conservation Districts, I was impressed with the insight and awareness Olin had for conservation issues in this area and I was delighted with anticipation of the role he was to play at this important time in forwarding the cause of conservation on the part of all of the districts. He was witty, charming, bright, knowledgeable, tactful and comfortable in his boots!

How pleased I was when Olin attended the Nevada Association of Conservation Districts' annual meeting six weeks ago. From the moment he arrived, he fit right in, listening to what others had to say and offer, responding in honest, understandable language. It was immediately clear that he understood and respected Western conservation needs and strengths. I sat with him at a Basque dinner and his warmth and spontaneity made all of us at the table feel as though we were old friends—we laughed, shared stories, compared notes and laughed some more. Olin had such a good time he stayed an extra day. He acted as auctioneer at the Awards Dinner, and as only he could, was able to parley the price of a bottle of beer (not a case, not a six-pack, but a bottle) up to $80.00! But most importantly, he truly made a meaningful connection between the National and State Associations.

During our conversations, I asked him if he had ever been to Lake Tahoe. He admitted he hadn't but said he had always wanted to, so we talked about his coming early to the National Meeting in February being held this year in Reno and staying with my family. It would be an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the lake and the high Sierras, and also experience some of the extensive, collaborative work being done by the Nevada Tahoe Conservation District and its partners. We were looking forward to that visit for I felt it was a friendship "waiting to happen."

I know that I speak on behalf of all of us: we are all deeply saddened by Olin's sudden and untimely death and our heartfelt condolences go to the Sims family and to all those who knew and loved him. He has left us a standard for which to reach and he shall be missed.

Barbara Perlman-Whyman
Vice-Chair of the Nevada Tahoe Conservation District
Urban Chair, Nevada Association of Conservation Districts

Family and friends of Olin Sims,

I only met Olin once, when he visited North Carolina last summer for our "70th Anniversary of the Birth of Conservation Districts". He was our Keynote speaker at an event honoring Conservation pioneer, Hugh Hammond Bennett. Even though the weather was hot, he went out to the Bennett home place with Mary Combs, NC State Conservationist with NRCS, Manly Wilder, Director of NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation and other dignitaries. On the ride back to the main event center I shared a little about my small cattle operation and was his instant buddy, as are cattlemen everywhere. What I liked most about Olin was the fact that although he has rubbed shoulders with the high and mighty, he was not above getting a little cow manure on his boots and really appreciated someone else who did. I have a word I reserve for a select few who really understand the relationship of humankind and the environment. It is Hebrew word: am ha aritz. The best translation is "a man of the land." It was used in the recent past as a pejorative to mean something like "Redneck" but the ancient meaning is more in keeping with my understanding.

This is my favorite and guiding scripture, I think it applied to Olin.

2 Chronicles 26:10 (New American Standard Bible)
10 He (King Uzziah) built towers in the wilderness and hewed many cisterns, for he had much livestock, both in the lowland and in the plain. He also had plowmen and vinedressers in the hill country and the fertile fields, for he loved the soil.

A seminary degree, four children and 53 years of living have not given me words adequate for your loss. Having lost both my parents to cancer last year all I can say is I feel your loss and pain.

Peace be with you.

Bill Dunlap
Area VII Coordinator
NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources
Division of Soil & Water Conservation

Olin Sims was “one of us” who could talk to “all of them”.

From “all of us” in the Oklahoma Conservation family, our hearts and prayers go out to the Sims family.

Dan Lowrance
Chairman
Oklahoma Conservation Commission

Though my knowledge of Olin was only through interacting with him at the various events and auctions in Laramie, I had no doubt he was a fine man filled with great beliefs and tremendous drive for his community and this land. If he saw you wanted an item he was auctioneering for a queen's coronation, an Ag appreciation dinner or any other event he'd call you by name, tease you if you stopped bidding but generally made the whole experience a pleasure even if you spent far more than you had ever intended. No words can express the sorrow being felt by all of us. We will miss him.

Jo Ann and Burton Davis
Laramie, Wyoming

On behalf of the conservation district employees across the nation, our hearts and prayers go out to Olin Sims family and friends. We celebrate the fact he was a true conservation leader. Olin you will be missed.

Cindy Moon
NCDEA President

Olin Sims: Wyoming loses a conservation leader

Olin Sims will be missed from the sale ring at the local county fair market sale where he served as auctioneer to the hearing rooms of Congress where he spoke on behalf of American agriculture.

Sims was killed in an accident on his family’s ranch on Dec. 7. A complete obituary, including scheduled services, can be found within this edition. A natural born leader, Olin led by example, with credibility on the issues he supported and as a friend and inspiration to many across the Cowboy State.

At the time of his death, Olin was serving a two-year term as president of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). He’d previously served as President of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD). Spending a great deal of time in the nation’s capitol with NACD in recent months, his opinion was often sought after regarding the Conservation Title of the Farm Bill being drafted.

“Olin's leadership, dynamics and passion brought conservation and conservation districts to new heights not only in Wyoming but in the nation,” says WACD Executive Director Bobbie Frank. “The pain and heartache that we all feel at the loss of this one-of-a-kind leader, who was not yet done with his work, is indescribable.”

“I don’t know if I was an extension of his family, but he was an extension of my family,” says Ralph Brokaw who considered Olin a friend and a mentor. “It was because of him I got involved in the Conservation Districts. I feel even luckier because I got to live six miles away from him so I got to be his friend. At times we were like brothers and at times we were like neighbors and spent a lot of time laughing together. After my dad passed away, I guess I didn’t realize how much I leaned on Olin for fatherly advice. I’d be making a decision and call him up to see what he had to say about the idea and whether it was a good business decision.” Brokaw says he’s been very thankful for the few days he got to spend with Olin at the early December Natural Resource Conference in Casper.

In 2006 Olin was inducted into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame as one of the youngest ever inductees. In 2005, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association chose the Sims’ ranch as the winner of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program. The ranch went on to win the regional award at the national level. Olin and family have also received numerous other awards for stewardship, quality cattle and innovativeness.

LaGrange rancher Dennis Thaler and Olin were great friends. “It has been an enormous honor for me to have Olin as a friend over the last 19 years,” says Thaler. “He has done so many things for me. I had the privilege of serving on the WACD board with Olin and he became one of those dynamic leaders that made things happen. He could talk in front of five or 5,000 with ease. He could convince most with his common sense approach and his leadership ability that showed he cared. Olin has done so much for his community, state and the nation and I’m going to miss him terribly.”

“We truly lost one of the leaders in Wyoming agriculture,” said Wyoming Stock Growers Association Executive Vice President Jim Magagna. “One of the things I most admired in Olin is that he was very forward-thinking. I noticed that in his ranch in the way the family has planned the ranching and integrated three generations. They’re clearly building for a future. He brought that same philosophy to bear on the work he did on behalf of the agricultural community. He was very firm in his beliefs and in what he advocated, yet he was always able to do it with a respect and a willingness to understand other viewpoints.”

Olin’s beliefs surrounding agriculture and natural resources were well founded and well-stated. “I am a firm believer that our economy is driven by raw material extraction, timber, wildlife and ag production,” said Olin to the Roundup during an August 2006 interview when he was inducted into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. “These key components actually create new wealth that is then circulated throughout our economy and helps drive tourism, recreation, etc. That is why I believe it is vitally important that we recognize the role agriculture plays in the health of our economy, as well as our nation’s security.”

“We know that Olin's passion was shared with all of those who knew him and we hope that we can make him proud by continuing to work for agriculture and conservation with the same level of dedication and commitment,” says Bobbie Frank. “Our hearts go out to Tammie, Tyler and his whole family.”

Jennifer Womack
Managing Editor
Wyoming Livestock Roundup

The Farm Service Agency offers heartfelt sympathy to family and friends of Olin Sims. The president of the National Association of Conservation Districts died in an accident on his ranch in McFadden, Wyoming. We mourn with all who were shocked by the untimely passing of this friend of the environment. He was a long-time landowner and champion of conservation, becoming involved with NACD at the local level in 1987 and an area director in 1996. Before gaining national office, he served for five years on the NACD Board and six years as president of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts. NACD and the agricultural community will miss his leadership and commitment to his mission.

Teresa C. Lasseter
Administrator
Farm Service Agency

To Tammie, Tyler, and family,

I express our deepest sympathy and love for you and your family. While we have lost a friend,leader and champion for conservation, Olin's part in your family was the most important to him.

Olin is one of the truly great and noble ones to have have lived on earth. His heartfelt care and concern for all, conservation, and everything good and right will stand as a testament of his time here. It was my honor to have known and worked with olin and to know you his family. Your selfless committment to him serving for the betterment of our country and natural resouces is forever imprinted in the minds of conservation folks across the country and on the landscape.

As we go forward into the future know that you are supported by thousands of friends who will at a moments notice be there and who are and will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

While we greatly miss his presence we can take comfort and hope that he has just gone ahead down the trail to help prepare the way for us and look forward to the day to be reunited.

May you and your family be forever watched over and blessed always.

Sincerely,

Ed and Diane Burton
California NRCS State Conservationist

Dear Family and Friends of Olin Sims,

I was horrified to hear the passing of this exceptional man and leader. I feel compelled to write this note even though I didn't know Olin like you folks, in fact I only hung out with him a few times in Mystic, Conn. and in Washington, D.C. My daughter, Lindsay interned with NACD in D.C. and mentioned several times that Olin was a lot like her father; passionate, funny, loyal, hard working, down to earth, smart like a fox, and REAL. When he walked in a room of policymakers with his hat on, there was some mystical power that overcame the room because of his presence. Some say John Wayne-like.

My first experience with Olin was a hearty laugh and a pat on the back when at a National GLCI meeting, I asked Chief Lancaster to tell the President, NO, to any cuts to conservation and why you couldn't say NO. We also kidded each other on the differences between being called a rancher or a farmer, and the size of the belt buckles worn. I felt fortunate to be mentioned in his speech at the Northeast NACD meeting for asking questions, even though they may not be popular ones and if you ask too many, they make you a leader. He was that kind of leader.

Being a 5th generation farmer myself, and seeing Olin's pride in his family and the land, makes this loss especially hard for me to grasp. I know he loved that ranch and couldn't wait to tell people about it and how important it is to keep it. He was a force that represented the fellow farmers and ranchers very well and it has been a hard pill to swallow to see him called back to the Lord so soon before his work got done.

I have changed because of Olin. For me and my family, we will carry his legacy and that of his families' passion for conservation onward to the next level. No sir Olin, you did not leave this place in vain.

Please accept my sincerest condolences for your loss and I hope the lord comforts you in some way.

Troy Bishopp (The Grass Whisperer)
Bishopp Family Farm
Madison Co. SWCD & NY GLCI Chairman
Deansboro, New York

Olin Sims,

Over the years I have had many opportunities to work with Olin, all of them left me with feelings of hope for the future of ranching.

Whether it was visiting with the Sims family at a Rock River basketball game while I was a Albany County Deputy, attending a Holistic Resource Management training, working on a Coordinated Resource Management brochure for Wyoming, meeting with the Miracle Mile CRM Committee, serving on a USDA Conservation Title Committee for the Farm Bill, working to develop an NACD Strategic Plan, or just passing through the Arlington-McFadden country, I always knew the Sims' would make you welcome and add much.

Certain people provide the anchor for our ranch society—Olin was a strong one for many of us. It takes a special person to see the "big picture" while keeping a keen eye on the lifestyle desired for his family.

We are better for knowing Olin, and weaker from his passing.

Please pass my thoughts to the family.

Scott Cotton
Friend of Olin Sims
Former Albany Co Deputy, Former UW Extension Range Associate, Former CSU Range Agent, Extension Educator -Unit Leader, Dawes County Office, University of Nebraska, Lincoln Extension

To the Family and Friends of Olin Sims,

We want to express our heart felt sympathy and pray that you find comfort and peace in the many wonderful memories that you have. Olin and his family were friends of our parents (Chris and Cindy Sarles) and grandparents (Jim and Marion Dobson) whose ranch was just down the creek. We remember taking hayrides in winter behind their team of horses on the hay sled. We also remember a Fireman’s Ball that was held in their barn and what a great time was had by all the adults.

Please know that we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Olin was a wonderful person and leader and served as an example to many. He left boots that will be hard to fill.

Love,

Heather (Sarles) Westman & Erin (Sarles) Bowers
Denver, Colorado

I first had the opportunity to work with the Sims family in the early 1980’s when Olin’s dad Don served on my county committee when I was the County Executive Director for ASCS (now FSA) in Rawlins, Wyoming and I was always impressed with the pride the family took in the land and the constant strive to improve the resources. I got to know the family over the years and spent time working with them and their conservation efforts. Olin loved the land and the work that the conservation districts did and that showed in the countless hours of volunteer time devoted to the conservation cause. Wyoming has lost a true conservation leader and a great representative for the Cowboy State. My thoughts and prayers go to the family.

LeRoy Jons
Ord, Nebraska

One seed can start a garden.
One smile can lift a spirit.
One candle can light a room.
One conversation can start a friendship.
One step can begin a journey.
One heart can love many.
One person can make all the difference.
Author: Unknown

Olin “planted” many gardens across the country & Guam as he spoke at various meetings.
His “smile” and talk lifted many spirits when Olin spoke of their success and the future of conservation.
Olin did “light” a room when he walked in.
His “conversation” with each person started a friendship.
Each of his ‘steps” took the journey of conservation and stewardship to those who understood the importance and educated those who did not.
Olin’s “heart” reached out to all he met.
Olin’s work and conservation district’s work will continue to make a “difference.”

Susan M. Schultz
NACD Stewardship & Education
Indiana

As my wife and I were thinking about Olin this is what came to mind:
We feel honored to have known Olin and priviledged to have worked with a man of such honor and integrity.

Larry & Sandra Cochran
Past NACD director
Washington

We are devastated by Olin's passing, but cannot begin to imagine how difficult this is for those who were part of his daily life. He was our colleague, friend and client. The loss has weighed heavily upon us since we received the horrible news. After leaving his service, however, we felt inspired to work harder, do more, be better—to be more like Olin.

We vow to continue his fight for Wyoming, especially its agricultural sector. We were so blessed to be part of his life, but do not believe the hole he left can ever be filled. We will endeavor to honor all that he taught us and to make him proud of all our future efforts.

Harriet M. Hageman and Kara Brighton
Hageman & Brighton, P.C.
Cheyenne, WY

Tribute to a Wyoming Cowboy

When I was interviewing for a position at NACD, Krysta told me that one of the NACD officers was from Wyoming and that he’d be so proud to have me on staff. I thought it was a neat coincidence but didn’t give it a whole lot of thought.

Olin and Lisa Little did I know that the Wyoming bond would be so strong and that you would bring your big black hat and Wranglers and standard black boots and UW gear and big grin and speckled goatee and just set up camp in a place the size of Texas in this Wyoming girl’s heart.

“Big O,” I called you, or “Wyoming.” Until you messed up your shoulder, and then it became “Broken O.” Your name for me was usually the same—“Lisa Marie” you’d say in your booming auctioneer voice with a Western tilt.

One of the best things about you was your “Wyoming straight talk.” I knew that you wouldn’t beat around the bush, you weren’t here to schmooze and if something wasn’t right, you weren’t afraid to say it. And say it several times if I didn’t listen the first time!

Remember when I wanted to get a “Wyoming picture” holding the huge snake at the White House Conference? You said “Sure,” not thinking I was serious. Later I found out you were shaking in your boots (literally) but were too proud to admit it so we went through with the photo op. Your smile looks a little strained, don't you think?

I never knew a cowboy could be so excited about technology. I used to crack up watching you send more text messages than a college girl. Little did I know you were often doing work and communicating with other people who were pulling you 100 different ways.

Man-oh-man did you love a mic. I loved to listen to you auctioneer. You were in your element at NAFB Trade Talk this year. Remember how long it took you to convince me to actually begin the “America’s Voice” clips? I kept hoping you would forget but you were so persistent. When we finally started recording, the pressure didn’t let up. You wanted to make it better. You wanted to move it around. You always had a vision.

Power points. One page summaries. Talking points. You always wanted to be on your game. At times I accused you of being a little high maintenance. Now, after getting a little glimpse into the other areas of life you were pouring your energy into in addition to being our President, I understand a little more and would jump at the chance to write a presentation for you.

You gave me such a hard time when I would take the red pen to your articles when you knowingly wrote twice as much as space allowed. You teased me about turning in front of a fire truck in D.C. You loved to tell the story about me picking up the day laborer. I don’t remember a single time we were together when we didn’t have a good belly laugh. Olin sitting on a yellow truck

You believed in doing things right. You were professional. You led by example. You held yourself to a higher standard that you asked us to attain. You were so proud of your family and of our beautiful state. You were trustworthy. Hardworking. Efficient. Loyal. Organized. Honest. Committed. More than a boss, more than a leader, you were a friend. Although it hurts to lose you, I’m so glad you were a part of my life. I’ll always remember you, Wyoming.

Lisa Lerwick
NACD Director of Communications

p.s. Remember the picture you didn’t want me to take on the little yellow dozer? The whole world’s seen it. Sorry buddy, couldn’t help myself.

Thank you for sharing the comments about Olin Sims. I never had the privilege of meeting him, but he has already influenced my life; in this day of so much bad news (sometimes we shudder, watching TV, at man's inhumanity to man), it's good to know such a person lived. Many of us would never have heard these details his life and how much of a difference he made to so many in how he lived it—perhaps that is one silver lining to the awful tragedy of his death, that many more now know about him and feel the pain of his loss.

Gail Heathman
Haywood SWCD
Waynesville, NC

I just read about Olin's death. What a loss he was a great individual with a true passion for the land. We had more than one conversation waiting on airplanes. My condolences to his family, his fellow directors of NACD and to your staff. He will be missed in the agricultural community.

Sincerely,

Joy Philippi
Immediate Past President, National Pork Producers Council
Bruning, NE

It is with difficulty I write this. As I reflect on the time we knew each other I came up with this...

Olin shared his life freely. He was most proud of his family. If you were friends with Sims, you knew all about life back at the ranch. Tyler and I have never met but I sure know a lot about him. Olin told of their amazing elk hunting trips- belly crawling along behind the stack yard to get that 6x6 monster, remodeling the bunk house the last couple of years so Tyler had a place to hang out, Tyler's dream to guide hunters for a living, high school basketball and then on to college and once in awhile a girl. And he told of Don (dad) and his crazy hip surgery and Thanksgiving in Utah. And then there is Scott and April and the sawmill and Shanon utilizing his leadership skills (similar to Uncle Olin's) for the success of the Weed CRM. And whenever Tammie got a that awesome photo, he sent it on to us to see. We knew about the cattle, the hay crop, irrigation, the weather and of course the neighbor, Ralph. As his life's journey expanded through NACD, he told about travels across the nation, people he met, conservation work and the staffers giving him a hard time at NACD headquarters. But his heart was always back in Wyoming, in the wide open spaces while his mind was always generating the next speech, laughing at a new joke he could use on the crowd or a quote that a few words said so much.

He led by example. If it was an AFO/CAFO issue he presented the ranches own project. If it was a water quality issue he led a nationally recognized CRM - The Miracle Mile. If it needed done, he was there - from moving the WACD office to helping clean up after Hurricane Katrina, he had no limits. He was a born leader.

They give me grief about issuing challenges to Wyoming Conservation District Employees on occasion but I think it is now I should issue a challenge to every conservation district supervisor, employee, executive director and producer across the nation to step to the plate and continue the conservation legacy Sims was so involved in. Honor his leadership and passion by taking the extra time to share the importance of Agriculture, the Farm Bill, the conservation movement and the cowboy lifestyle with local, state and federal agencies, the legislators, the general public and your families. Olin believed he could make a difference in the nation by starting from the ground up, locally led and working through the channels to the top. He proved you can.

May time and happy memories help heal the hole in all your hearts. God Bless.

"In the End... We will conserve only what we love
We will love only what we understand
We will understand only what we are taught"
-Barb Dioum

Lisa Shaw
Wyoming Conservation District Employee Assn. President
Niobrara Conservation District Manager
Lusk, WY

Are you busy?

Olin called me frequently to check in on the latest in DC and the conversations usually began the same way, “Are you busy?” Now, as an employee, how do you answer this question when your boss is thousands of miles away? One day I finally answered YES! And we joked about it. He understood that I couldn’t say no – of course I am busy, hard at work for NACD. For a while he phrased the question differently. But on Tuesday morning, my cell phone rang, “Are you busy?” No I said. Olin was at the Wyoming meeting and wanted the latest on the Farm Bill, expected amendments, and an update on the water issues. It was the last time we spoke.

But that’s the way he was, didn’t want to bother me, but wanted to make sure that he could report that latest, most up to date information to whomever he spoke with. He studied and reviewed everything I sent and admitted to being a geek when it came to numbers, facts and details. Only Olin would ask me the difference between budget authority and budget outlays while reviewing the Farm Bill baseline – details that few who make their living in Washington, DC understand. He enjoyed the details and wanted to make sure he understood and would explain in his own words everything we did at NACD. After traveling to Wyoming, it seems clear to me that he was the same with everything he did. Always wanting to know more, and always willing to help out.

Keira Franz
Director, Legislative Affairs
NACD

It's hard to find words at times like this. It's even harder to imagine the world without Olin. Dynamic, capable leaders are few and far between. Olin was our voice in Washington DC and throughout the world.

Olin will be missed by all of us who knew him whether for only a short time or for many years. Hopefully the spirit of his mission for conservation agriculture will live on in all of us.

Jacque Trumbull
Converse County Conservation District
Douglas WY

Maine is perhaps the state furthest away from Olin's Wyoming, but he made us feel like close neighbors in working for conservation across the country. Whether sitting in a coastal restaurant with us on a snowy evening, or joined in a conference call, he took a sincere interest in our state, our members, and our issues. He came to champion "Urban Conservation", and made it seem like a natural cause for a guy with boots and a western hat. We are deeply saddened by his passing, but stronger for having had him in our midst. God rest our friend.

Tony Carroll
President

Steve Hobart
NACD Director

Bill Bell
Executive Director
Maine Association of Conservation Districts

To the family of Olin Sims;

I want to express my deepest sympathy to you. I feel honored to have known Olin and privileged to have served under his leadership. These word best describe Olin for me.

Excellence
There is no higher honor than human service.
To work for the common good is the greatest deed.

Thank you for sharing him.

Ed Hoxsie
Executive Director
Dutchess Co. Soil & Water Conservation District

It seems like I have always known Olie Sims. (I know most people call him Olin now, but he was Olie when I met him, and he will always be Olie to me.) It was through 4-H that I really came to know him. I was privileged and blessed to grow up in the Garrett Community, 50 miles north of Rock River, with several other kids who lived on neighboring ranches and were close to my age. Once old enough, we all joined the Rock Creek Valley 4-H Club, of which Olie was also a member. When Olie was around, you could count on a lot of teasing and a lot of fun. His teasing was never mean, but always done in a good spirit. He teased everyone about everything, and anything, all the time! All of us teased him back just as much and he always took it splendidly. I have wonderful memories of 4-H meetings and the dancing we did afterwards; County Fairs; State Fairs; 4-H Field Trips; school assemblies; and other school functions we attended in Rock River. Olie is a huge part of all of those memories. We were a very close knit group, but Olie was always out in front, leading the way, teasing and cracking jokes the entire time.

About the time I was in 15 (which would make Olie about 16); Olie did a very magnificent thing. We were all at the 4-H carnival in Laramie. Our booth was not receiving a lot of attendance. Olie (wearing his silver cowboy hat, and long, pale green down coat with the big silver, furry collar—popular in the mid 1970’s) grabbed a rickety old brown folding chair and stood on it and started to do his auctioneer thing to attract attention to our booth! His message was, “If you aren’t participating in the activities at this booth, you are really missing out!” It worked superbly! And he kept it up the rest of the night. It became his job from then on at our booth at 4-H carnival! At a time when most of us would not have attracted attention to ourselves for love or money, here was confident, poised Olie working for the benefit of all of us! And he was having a lot of fun doing it, too! I remember being sure he was going to fall to the floor in a heap because the chair was so unsteady (and this was about the time Olie had begun to achieve his full size and height); being in awe of his confidence and sureness in himself; recognizing his desire to help our club do well; and being impressed with his auctioneer talents. We all witnessed greatness that day in our buddy, our friend. Every time I have seen him after that, I am always reminded of what he did that day. It will forever remain in my memories.

Sometime after that, Olie, Tammy and Robby Newkirk took me to my first horror film in Laramie. The name of it was “Silent Scream.” It goes down in history as being my last horror movie too! It was so scary that I couldn’t sleep for two weeks afterwards! However, Olie (with help from Robby) was still joking and teasing after the movie! Even that much blood and horror didn’t dampen his teasing!

I will not forget him, or the positive impact he has had in my life. Due to his service in organizations like the Stock Growers Association and the work he has done in Conservation, my family has, and will continue to benefit. My admiration of what he accomplished in his life is great, but it does not stop with Olie. It extends to his family. Like all heroes, Olie has had his “support team”. I know he would not have been able to achieve all that he did without their love, backing, encouragement, and dedication in “holding down the fort”. If his family were not the kind of people who made “home” a place of renewal and refreshment, Olie would have not been able to be so dedicated, or provide the leadership to the extent he did. My prayers and thoughts are with his family. I know that the Lord will sustain them, comfort them, and help them. Grief is messy, but with the Lord’s help, it is possible to get through it with grace and dignity and to become better for it. This I know.

Celia Otte Corson
Fourth generation rancher
Bell-Otte Ranch, Garrett, Wyoming

Olin will always be remembered as a true friend of everyone who met him. He was a very honorable man and a champion to the cause of conservation. Olin understood the needs of the west and was able to covey those needs to others across the nation. When Olin visited Nevada for our state meeting in Winnemucca, he was "complaining" about the girly smelling soap in the hotel room. Joe was looking forward to the national meeting in Reno so he could some how get all the soap in Olins room switched to LAVA. We will surely miss him at the national meeting.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Olins family.

Joe and Nancy Sicking
Paradise Valley, NV

Olin on his visit to Guam We were extremely saddened to hear the shocking news of the passing of NACD President Olin Sims. Our very first thought was that we had lost a very dear friend. For those of us who knew him for many years, and those of us who only knew him for a short time, we share a deep loss with the passing of this great man.

We knew Olin as a man who not only talked about what he believed in, but a man who lived what he believed.

We were very fortunate to have Olin and his wife, Tammie, visit our island in October to attend the Pacific Basin Association of Conservation Districts (PBACD) Business Meeting and the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Sub Regional Conference. Olin was kind enough to accept our invitation and travel all the way across the Pacific Ocean, to serve as our guest speaker at both events. He recognized our interest in pursing greater participation with the NACD family and patiently listened to our issues and concerns. He simply asked us: What can I do to help?

Olin encouraged the members of the PBACD, which include representatives from Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and American Samoa not to lose sight of the importance of conserving our natural resources. He updated us on the activities of the National Association and the important role that we have in the Pacific to expand the conservation mission to our shores.

At the conclusion of the PBACD Business Meeting, Olin graciously volunteered his impressive auctioneering skills. With a single slice of chocolate cake, a truffle, two cans of wahoo from American Samoa, and a bag of Kona Coffee, he helped raise $150.00 toward the renovation of the NACD Washington Office. It is amazing the amount of money that he could generate from such few items. The moments of laughter, togetherness and happiness that he shared with us was priceless.

The following day at the Western SARE Conference, he provided opening remarks to conference participants from throughout the region, Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. We have to say, we were very proud to listen to our very own NACD President talk about the important role of the conservation districts and our partnership with the agricultural and research community. He delivered his extemporaneous remarks without skipping a beat.

Olin recognized the issues and challenges that are facing our small island with the impending U.S. military build-up that will transfer 8,000 Marines, their families and the additional support infrastructure from Okinawa, Japan to Guam. He toured almost all 214 square miles of our island during his visit including Andersen Air Force Base and the U.S. Naval Station, and familiarized himself with as much information as he could. He saw firsthand the challenging issues that are facing our two small districts and the immensity that this impending growth would have on our island and our natural resources.

Olin also recognized that other conservation districts in the U.S. mainland were facing similar issues with military expansion into farming and conservation lands and included this issue as part of the NACD agenda. We knew that he could articulate our concerns.

At first sight when he arrived on Guam, we saw a tall cowboy with a ready smile and a confident ease in which he carried himself. Once we got to know him, we realized very quickly that he was intelligent, articulate, humble, passionate and a staunch advocate for conservation. He had a tremendous presence that filled a room, but he seemed more at home outdoors in vast open space. Like warm tropical sun touching his skin, Olin soaked up as much information as he could about our history and our people. When we watched him gaze over our blue ocean, our green mountains, our farms and our villages we were even more impressed at the respect and appreciation that he showed for our island.

If you knew Olin Sims, you knew right away that he was proud of his Wyoming roots. After all, it was his love for his home state of Wyoming and his family ranch in McFadden that initiated his journey to be an advocate for conservation nationwide and, inevitably, the President of NACD. From the farmlands of our great country, to the halls of U.S. Congress, to the shores of the Pacific - the impact of this man’s presence and vision has been far reaching.

As we mourn his loss, we celebrate his life. We will honor him by continuing our work to strengthen the important role of conservation within our island and within the Pacific region.

We have all been blessed to know this great man! God bless Olin Sims. God bless the Sims Family.

Benny P. San Nicolas
Chairman, Southern SWCD

Roland J. Quitugua
Chairman, Northern SWCD
Guam Soil & Water Conservation Districts

My deepest sympathies go out to the NACD family. I am so very sorry to learn of Olin's passing. He was certainly committed to conservation, and he added so much to our conservation partnership. I had the highest respect for his opinions.

He was a fantastic leader! You are in my thoughts.

Sharon Ruggi
President
National Association of RC&D Councils

Several of us in Indiana had a chance to visit with Olin last summer for a short evening. It took about 20 seconds to realize he was a true conservationist and friend of soil and water conservation. His leadership will be sorely missed, but the impact he made will be long remembered and will continue to be painted on the landscape of America.

Bob Eddleman
Chair
Indiana State Soil Conservation Board

The Coevolution Institute was deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of NACD President Olin Sims. We are thinking of you and send our heartfelt sympathy.

We know how hard it will be to replace Mr. Sims, but he will be remembered for his dedication and passion for his ranch in Wyoming, his love for his family, and the tremendous influence at NACD.

Please convey our deepest condolences to Mr. Sims’ family, friends, and colleagues.

Laurie Davies Adams
Executive Director
Coevolution Institute

Since I knew Olin Sims for close to 20 years, longer than most of my colleagues with the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD), I was asked if I would prepare this tribute letter representing all our VASWCD staff, members, and officers. We all realize we have lost a tremendously talented leader whose future had no limit. I struggled with what might be an appropriate tribute as many will talk of his accomplishments, dedication, and leadership. When NACD suggested “A Tribute to a Cowboy” for Olin, I recalled a favorite cowboy poem that made me think of Olin every time I heard it. Olin always reminded me of what many people think of with the word “cowboy;” tall, slim, western dress, handsome, always a big smile, and wearing a big cowboy Stetson. I hope others will think this poem catches a bit of Olin’s personality, spirit, and love of the land.

“When a Cowboy Talks to God”
by Doug McCutcheon

Did you ever wonder what a cowboy does when Sunday rolls around?
Well there’s some of them who get all gussied up and spend all day Sunday in town.
Then there’s others, and folks it makes me wonder if they are truly possessed of good sense,
After spending six days at the ranch working with cows, they spend all day Sunday at roping events.
Then there are some that every third or fourth Sunday they might manage to make it to church.
They don’t know when judgment day is coming and they don’t want to be caught in the lurch.

I’ve known a lot of cowboys and most all of them are kind of special, but there is one I remember the best.
He was a hard working cowboy, sort of kept to himself, a little different than most of the rest.
Now on Sunday morning when the boys were all gone, he’d get busy with personal chores,
Like mending his gear, making his bed, washing his socks and his drawers.
Then later that day when his chores were all done and mealtime was out of the way,
He’d throw his saddle on his favorite horse and ride off for the rest of the day.

Up in the mountains out west of the big valley, there is this ridge that he’d always head for,
And up on this ridge in the midst of God’s beauty, this cowboy would talk to the Lord.
Oh Lord, I’m only a cowboy and there’s no doubt that I’ve been around,
And for the rest of my life, I will more than likely be working for forty a month and found.
But, Lord, if you see fit to grant me these few wishes, I’d be most beholden to you,
So, well, I’ll just rattle them off and please God, see what you can do.

I spent a lot of time out in Cottonwood Basin and there is something I want you to hear.
There is this big, old spring that we always depend on, it looks like it may run out of water this year.
And while I’m asking for personal favors, there is something I know for certain,
There is this nice nester family out in Single Tree Hollow, they’ve had a bad year and they’re hurtin.
And Lord, I know I ain’t deservin, but there is something I want you to know.
In the last six months, I just done near quit cussin and ain’t had a chew in two months or so.

And Lord, there is one more favor and I sort of hate to bring it up here,
But there is this pretty young schoolmarm I sorta been watchin, I’ve known her for most of a year.
And I don’t know, but I think she kinda likes me, and if you’d give me a hand,
There’s no doubt that I win her over and then I’d go out and buy her a gold wedding band.
Lord, I’m only a cowboy and you know I ain’t free of sin,
But I’m tryin to live my life as You’d want it. Thank you Jesus. Amen.

Now, I’ve known a lot of cowboys. Most of them were kind of wild,
And there are some that ain’t never been shod.
But ladies and gentlemen, there ain’t nothing more humble,
Then a cowboy when he’s talking to God.

I’ll close this tribute with a thought expressed by Aldo Leopold in A Sand County Almanac. It expresses what I think Olin believed and practiced throughout his life. Leopold said, "A system of conservation based solely on economic self-interest is hopelessly lopsided. It tends to ignore, and thus eventually to eliminate many elements in the land community that lack commercial value, but that are essential to its healthy functioning. It assumes, falsely I think, that the economic parts of the biotic clock will function without the uneconomic parts. It tends to relegate to government many functions eventually too large, or too complex, or too widely dispersed to be performed by government. An ethical obligation on the part of the private owner is the only visible remedy for these situations."

A wise person once said "we don't inherit the earth from our parents; we borrow it from our children." Our nation’s 3000+ soil and water conservation districts play a vital role in sustaining our ability to live, and Olin was in the forefront, leading. He will be sorely missed. We will carry on. He will be encouraging us from above, while he’s talking to God.

For the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD), President Ricky Rash, officers, members, and staff,

John W. Peterson
Director, Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
VASWCD NACD Board Representative

I knew Olin Sims as a friend and partner every year since the Hyde Merritt Memorial Steer Roping began in Laramie, Wyo....I loved to share the mike with him or any time he had.
As a former State Senator in SD I saw Olin as a leader and certainly someone who I would look to as a "someday" Governor. I am heartsick at his death...both personally and professionally, but also for the people of the state of Wyoming. We have all lost a truly brilliant man and our lives are the richer for having known him.

Jim Thompson
Creative Broadcast Services, Inc
Spearfish, South Dakota
605-722-2511

Small space, big life……

A mailbox stands sturdy if not straight against the constant winds, snows and searing sun of Wyoming. Day after day it is opened to receive and send correspondence to…Wherever. Every now and then a pickup or car passes by on the way to…..Somewhere. This is a plain and simple marker of plain and simple McFadden, Wyoming….or is it?

This mailbox is very special. It connects rural and urban America in especially meaningful and needed ways. It is the mailbox of the recently deceased, and greatly missed Olin Sims.

While Reconnecting America is the title of this column, the focus of my own work and refers to reconnecting urban and rural Americans so they understand and appreciate one another better, Olin Sims’ short but meaningful life really sets the standard for what it means to reconnect America.

One only had to take note of where the numerous people were coming from who attended his funeral in tiny, snow covered, and wind whipped Rock River, Wyoming. The high school auditorium, needed to accommodate the hundreds who came, was filled with people from as far away as Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, D. C. and every corner of Wyoming.

As the chairs filled, and friends rose to speak I was struck by the many different people from various urban and rural lifestyles with whom Olin had clearly connected.

The small and rural space of McFadden, Wyoming had helped form the character of an American with whom people throughout this nation could communicate.

His work with Conservation Districts made his leadership and insights available to Americans nationwide and beyond. His capacity to think and speak in such a way that it resonated in both the hearts and minds of urban and rural people had clearly helped to reconnect this divided nation.

One could go on about the man himself, but I won’t. It is far more important to go on about what we as Americans can learn from Olin’s meaningful life.

We can learn that rural and urban Americans have much to respect about one another, and much we can learn from each other.

We can learn that it is not the size of the town or wide place in the road from which you come that creates your individual influence and credibility. It is the size of your ‘American spirit’ that does that. It is from your individual ‘American spirit” that you can draw courage to face any challenge and create solutions for local and national problems.

We can learn that the voice of rural America can be heard and listened to if you are willing to ‘walk and talk’ as Olin liked to do when trying to explain natural resource issues to those unfamiliar with them.

It is imperative in these rapidly changing times that rural Americans recognize that many of the solutions they seek to the problems and attacks on natural resource utilization and rural culture are to be found within themselves. As individuals it is they, better than most, who can integrate balance and firsthand credible insights into public debate, public opinion and finally public decision making.

Small spaces and large lives are the result of being willing to ‘walk and talk’ with your fellow American. It is about respecting the reality that, quite understandably, there are many things rural and urban folks just don’t know about each other’s lives.

It is imperative that we demonstrate to the world, and more importantly to the young Americans coming along, that one individual’s voice added to others is what creates the effective voices of rural and urban Americans. It is what creates quality communication and solves problems.

We can learn that an individual truly can be an example, a visionary, a vehicle for productive change and positive communication for our nation.

We can…..learn to reconnect America one individual at a time.

Thank you Olin.

Kathleen Jachowski is a free lance writer and public speaker on natural resource and cultural issues. Her e-mail is: solution@vcn.com

Our best memory of Olin is his attendance at the Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting in January 2007.

In his trademark hat and boots, Olin fit right in with our membership mix of farmers and ranchers. His knowledge of the Farm Bill and other conservation concerns was apparent in his presentations.

Riding up and down in the hotel elevators and on the drive to and from the airport, his casual conversations about horses and ranching were real and friendly.

But our best memory is his auctioneering skills. During our annual live auction, Olin was asked to auction a prize bull. Not only did he sell the bull, he sold it to a MACD member who had no cows and not one foot of fence on his property!

Adios, Olin. Your boots will be hard to fill.

The Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts

I met Mr. Sims for the first time last year, and he greatly impressed me by his good natured, unassuming, forthright, caring and committed nature. Mr. Sims held NACD and its partners to a standard that matched his working ethic. He led with humour and inspiration, and a nudging list of questions.

He will live long in the style of leadership he established and stories he leaves. His was a presence that will be remembered and missed by anyone who met him.

On behalf of the Vermont Association of Conservation Districts, we salute the life of Olin Sims, while offering our deepest sympathy and prayers to Olin’s family and friends.

Michelle Gudorf
President VACD

On behalf of the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, we want to pay tribute to a true friend of not only conservation, but to a friend of all mankind. While many of us here in Ohio did not have the personal opportunity to meet Olin, through the vivid stories that have been shared with us by those closely associated with Olin, the leadership and diligent efforts he offered on behalf of NACD, and the magnitude of the tributes offered to date truly express the incredible impact Olin’s life had on so many individuals. His memory will live on as each of us continues to support and advance the conservation principles he held so dear.

Sincerely,

Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Our sympathy goes out to all the members of the Olin Sims family.

We had the pleasure of listening to his speech as well as talking with him at the N. E. Regional Conference in Connecticut last summer. He was a true Conservationist working to ensure the preservation of our land and water for future generations. We are saddened by his passing. He will be missed.

Barbara Rosko
President, NJACD

Tammy, Tyler and the Sims Family

Writing this is one of the hardest things I have ever done. Olin and I were very close friends and had been since he became the alternative board member from Wyoming. The big tall cowboy, in his hat and jeans, was a true conservationist.

Over a short period of time Olin became a major figure on the floor of board meeting, in the halls and at special events. As one of the great auctioneers in the U. S., his gifts to the legislative committee cannot be valued.

As one of the outstanding presidents of NACD we will always wonder what he would have achieved in the organization as well as in Wyoming. Our memories of Olin Sims are forever, not only for his family, NACD, and his friends.

Olin Sims will truly be missed for a long, long time, by his family, business associates, friends, and his conservation family.

Tammy and Tyler, be proud of this great American.

I am!

Jim Lacy
NACD Executive Board
Campton, Kentucky

I only had the opportunity to meet Olin two times and was greatly impressed with his dedication and vision for Conservation districts in all areas of conservation.

Irwin Symens
President of S.D.A.C.D.

I often think of Olin even several months after his passing. I sit here and wonder just what I miss the most about him. While I know Olin will be watching over the NACD Annual Meeting, I will miss his presence keeping everyone focused on our purpose and mission all the time keeping us entertained. It is hard to accept that he will not be there to greet each and every one of us with that great handshake and hug.

Just being in Olin’s presence gave a person a feeling of security and confidence. Olin didn’t make you think you were important to the organization, he made you know your were important!

Olin was the best mentor! Olin “made a difference” in many people’s lives. If I didn’t feel it before, I left Olin’s funeral with indescribable admiration knowing what a difference he has made in this world after hearing his great friend, Ralph, and his son, Tyler, speak. Ralph and Tyler made Olin very proud that day! Tyler said, “The three things Dad taught him are: 1) never complain, 2) always finish the job, and 3) leave the land better than you found it”.

I met Olin in the summer of 2002 at the “emergency” Western Coalition meeting that Colorado hosted in Denver. From the moment I met him, I felt I had always known him and I knew he had a vision for what needed to be done. While Olin was well on the way of “getting it done”, it sure feels like he was taken before he was “done”. But after thinking about it a little more, this must be a part of God’s plan. He sent Olin to bring this organization together and develop leaders that could continue to carry out his vision. NACD is now at it’s “A Game”. He has mentored many individuals and prepared them for leadership roles to carry out the work that still needs done. It is up to each one of us to step up and continue the organization’s “A Game”.

I will certainly miss Olin always being aware of others issues and concerns. He could always tell when I was thinking about an issue and at some point he would say “you have that look in your eye, what’s going on?”

Olin has cried several auctions for the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, always entertaining everyone while raising money for great causes such as the Conservation Leadership Program. I recall the last auction Olin cried in Glenwood Springs after sitting on I-70 over six hours because the road was closed. Olin kept a great attitude and reassured me by phone on an hourly basis that he would be there in time for the auction. So we began the social hour which turned into hours and even had the band begin playing and everyone began dancing. The moment Olin walked in, he took the mic and started crying the auction as if it was all planned this way (two hours later).

Randy Loutzenhiser had donated a very large dog feeder made with logs for the auction. This item really got Olin on a roll and anyone there that evening will recall the “log dog feeder”. He had great fun selling this “log dog feeder”. I am not sure how many times he referred to the “log dog feeder” while he was selling it but today we all laugh when anyone mentions the “log dog feeder” remembering just how entertaining Olin made a simple “log dog feeder”.

We all greatly miss Olin. But I want to thank Olin’s family for sharing this great man’s talents and attitude with the whole nation. Olin “made a difference” and made a better person out of me just by knowing and working with him those five great years.

Callie Hendrickson
Colorado

I met Olin at the Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts annual convention in Jackson Ms in January 2007. He was a real great guy. He got along with everyone and all enjoyed meeting him. I was saddened to hear of his accident. He will be greatly missed by one and all.

Bill Taylor
Chairman
Lowndes County, MS SWCD

I first met Olin Sims at a Water Policy Committee meeting in Medford, Oregon. You remember that moment because Olin made a powerful first impression. Tall and handsome with an easy smile and relaxed confidence. Nobody looked better in a cowboy hat and boots than Olin. He was the real deal—a Wyoming cowboy.

He had a love for the land that came from his family and time spent working the ranch. This passion for natural resource conservation was a natural progression and he embraced it. I remember my second impression at the committee meeting. He was offering testimony on the Endangered Species Act. He had done extensive homework and knew the issue inside and out. He offered practical solutions so landowners could help solve the problems without punitive regulations. He was a cowboy and a scholar.

Olin recognized that NACD was primed to provide national leadership on conservation programs and funding. Issues not only were important to rural folks but also to a growing number of citizens. His work on the legislative committee as he progressed up the chairs of national leadership was impressive. He organized and prioritized our lobbying efforts to make NACD the “go to” organization in conservation. We became more effective and relevant on Capitol Hill because of Olin’s work. He was a cowboy at home in Washington, DC.

Olin was a natural leader that worked very hard to prepare himself for the job. He could command a podium in front of a large audience as easy as he could carry on simple conversation with politicians or corporate sponsors. He had a practical knowledge of the issues and a studied response for solutions. He’ll never be replaced in our organization but he left NACD strong and prepared to go on without him. Olin Sims will leave an impression on me for the rest of my life.

Orval Gigstad
Nebraska Association of Resource Districts

Most in Connecticut knew Olin primarily from a distance through NACD email and business news, as the friendly voice on the other end of conference calls, and connections made at the 2007 Northeast Region Meeting in Mystic, CT, August 2007. Yet, when word came across of his death, Connecticut colleagues and those from the northeast region shared similar feelings of shock and disbelief. Among the threads of conversations with northeast colleagues came descriptions which included words like “larger than life,” “genuine and honest,” integrity, and committed conservationist. As many who wrote tributes acknowledged, it was also hard to miss what a true leader he was; Olin was in fact THE person who originally convinced a couple of us unsuspecting folks from Connecticut, at the 2006 New England Leaders meeting in Portsmouth, NH, that Connecticut should not pass up the opportunity to host the 2007 Region Meeting ~ a year and a half later there we were in Mystic! And in the end we are glad we took the opportunity to host, and honored that Olin took the time to be there with us.

On behalf of the Council on Soil and Water Conservation and Connecticut’s Conservation District board members and staff, please know Connecticut’s heart is with Olin’s family, friends and his NACD family.

Larry Davis, Chairman
CT Association of Conservation Districts

Denise Savageau
CACD Secretary and NACD Board Member

Jeff Folger
Chairman, CT Council on Soil and Water Conservation

Suellen Kozey McCuin
Executive Director, CT Council on Soil and Water Conservation

Sims Family,

In July of 2007 the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts had the opportunity to welcome and host the NACD Executive Committee at our vice-president’s home in Marion County outside of Indianapolis. The outdoor meal and setting provided a relaxed atmosphere for Association officers, staff and partnership members to meet with those of the NACD Executive Committee.

For those in attendance who did not know Olin, knowing him to be from Wyoming, all one had to do was look for the tall gentleman in blue jeans, cowboy boots, a western belt buckle and that great western hat. Of course, by the time one spotted Olin, He’d spotted you and was making his way toward you. His open easy way just naturally put one at ease and led to good conversation. When talking with Olin, it was apparent his was a man of the land, with a deep and abiding respect for his Wyoming ranch and the natural resources of this nation.

With Olin’s passing, our prayers are with you and all his family. For those of us remaining on life’s journey, we’ve all been enriched by having met and known Olin.

God Bless You,

The Officers, Board and Staff
Indiana Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts

Memories of Olin Sims,

There are so many facets of this man to address. But basically it boils down to he cared. He cared about people-his family, his fellow conservationists, and all of the people he associated with in a professional or social way. He also cared for the resources of his home ranch and state, the resources of this country, and devoted his energies to learning and working towards the conservation and wise use of these valuable resources. As an employee of the association he led, I had a unique opportunity to work with this man. He always displayed a friendly, constructive, and caring approach in working with the employees, other conservation leaders and partners in conservation. I will miss this man. I know many will miss him, especially his family. I can truly say he made a mark on this earth that is lasting.

Rich Duesterhaus
NACD Senior Advisor, Northeast Region Representative

In a person’s lifetime, there are rare individuals that will leave their mark and we will know that we have met someone very special. These charismatic individuals will profoundly affect and influence our lives and will be a spiritual guide for a lifetime….

Olin Sims was one of those rare special individuals.

My first opportunity to see him in action was when he gave a presentation regarding his Region and his thoughts on the future direction of NACD. While listening to him I realized that his intelligence and visionary outlook were extremely valuable and his youthful energy and vitality were just what we needed.

Through his efforts the Western Coalition was formed and he was its first President. I presented him with the various issues and formidable problems pertaining to Hawai’i, other island countries and Western States that feel the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Olin, although from an inland state, immediately grasped the phenomenal challenges presented and assisted in the formation of the Pac-Rim Association of Conservation Districts and island states, territories and commonwealth of the Pacific Basin in 2005.

After planning for two years, in October, 2007, he helped coordinate a meeting in Guam to formally recognize members of the Pacific-Rim and invite new members: Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia and American Samoa.

It is difficult to put into words the “aloha” my wife and I have for Olin and Tammy. We became “Ohana” (like family) over the years as we attended conferences and worked on various issues over the years. Working together to prepare and meet in Guam showed me his organizational skills and warm appreciation he had for the island people of the Pacific.

One of our treasured memories is our exchange of pictures. We gave him a picture of old-time cattle shipping in Hawai’i; and we treasure the picture Olin gave us of a roundup on his ranch in Wyoming.

Too often we put off opportunities to visit thinking “there will be another time”. We were planning to stop by Olin's Ranch last summer as we drove 'cross country' but, unfortunately, we ran out of time and—as for being with Olin—there will never be (in this life) “another time.”

Olin, you will always be in our hearts as one of those rare special individuals.

Tammy and Tyler, and all the Sims ohana, our deapest sympathies are with you also.

With aloha,

Skip Cowell and Rita
Chairman Pacific Region
President Pac Rim ACD

I had the opportunity to visit with Olin a couple times. He had the ability to brighten up situations. He had talent and his incredible memory of names and issues was a tool in leadership that he used quite effectively. Olin was one of a kind. Olin along with our Minnesota delegation met with Congressman Peterson to discuss the Farm Bill in DC. Olin had a made a great impression on me as to what a leader should be.

Ken Pederson
President MASWCD

As a nurse and a farmer, I work to prevent Ag related injuries, diseases and deaths. I am always so saddened to hear of the loss because so often the person is an exemplary leader. This poem is a tribute to Olin and the other farmers and ranchers who die doing the work they love. I will continue to dedicate my work to these wonderful women and men, and pray for their family and friends.

Mary Fleming
SWCD Board
Delaware, Ohio

Leading On

I wish I knew why
when you had so much to offer,
you are taken away so young.
You did not deserve to die.

Your life was an inspiration to so many,
we are left to wonder
how much more would you have done?
How many more lives could you have touched?

Why is it so hard to prevent the tragedies
among those who lead so well?
Farmers, ranchers, and their families,
all work hard and live with such integrity.

These are the ones who make things happen.
They live by principles, like others before self,
and taking care of our world.
They make our lives better.

I am better because I knew you.
I am challenged to be the best I can
because you lived a life of dedication
in learning all you could.

We are better because we knew you.
With calm demeanor and listening ear
you worked with everyone.
You showed respect and caring not often matched.

How will we live on?
By striving to serve others,
By conserving our God given resources,
By remembering those who lead us, though they are gone.

May God bless your family and friends,
And, touch them with mercy.
May they find comfort in each other,
and strength in those wonderful memories.

And as we lead on
Let us always remember the example you set
With kindness and wisdom,
Servant leadership at it’s best.

I also have known Olin for several years as a friend, an associate, a rancher, and most of all a conservationist. He was a very special man. He distinguished himself many times when he “went to bat” for western issues as well as conservation issues important to all of us. He was always willing to assist us in Colorado when we needed a little boost. He helped us get out of some financial doldrums by volunteering to be our auctioneer for our state and national annual meetings for our live auction several times. His personality was so outgoing that he could get the very most and best out of us. He “grabbed the bull by the horns” and “led the charge” when we needed that little incentive or encouragement to accomplish the task at hand.

He was always a great leader and we miss him very much. His leadership in the Rocky Mountain Region as well as at the National level will be greatly missed.

I would like to thank all of his family for sharing Olin with us and giving him the support needed to accomplish so much for conservation.

He will be greatly missed.

Respectfully,

Bob Warner
Colorado Association of Conservation Districts

He always said his goal was to render me speechless. I am sure some have wondered why I haven’t contributed to the memorial page on NACD’s website yet. I have been totally and completely unable to put my thoughts on paper. Like all of us in the Conservation District family, Olin’s death has been a tremendous shock and one of the more painful experiences I have had. I have not ever lost a close friend.

I have thought, and honestly fretted, about whether to try and put down what I feel, over the last few weeks. I told Ralph I just couldn’t do it. He understood (as he always does).

However, I realized that Olin would probably be a bit disappointed in me if I were to go on without one comment or word. So despite the fact that I know tears will fall again, I am going to buck up and put in one last word.
If I could talk to our big cowboy just one last time this is what I would say.

Hey big guy, just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for all you did for me, my family and the conservation district family over the past 18 years. I remember when I first met you. It was 1989 and you were new on the scene with about a year of conservation district service under your belt. I had just started with Laramie County Conservation District. Amazing, hey cowboy, how quickly time passes when you’re having fun! I remember I was so young and didn’t have a clue and you were just getting revved up. Already passionate and dedicated to the organization. I remember you standing up at the WACD business meeting in 1990 in Evanston challenging the leadership to be innovative in finding financial balance and security. You made some people mad but it wasn’t hard to see you also were headed for a leadership position even then.

Boy, you did not just issue challenges you took them to heart. I remember when I was first hired for this outfit. You were the one that came up with a bunch of innovative ideas to help us become a progressive and financially stable outfit. The auction, the WNRF and its fund raisers, just to name a few. That aspect of the organization was so important to you. I am sure you are proud of the WACD Board for making the decision to create the endowment in your honor. Your legacy will live on forever through that endowment.

All of the issues and challenges we faced, man we were on a roll for a while there weren’t we! Remember the Clean Water Action Plan? Remember Wyoming taking that resolution to oppose the CWAP to national convention? It happened to be your first convention as a Wyoming voting delegate. Holy cow that was a lot of work; but boy it was fun wasn’t it? That was when a lot of our friends in conservation districts across the country got a glimpse of your passion, talent and dedication. I remember the comment made by one, “well you might not agree with their position but you’ve got to admire their passion!”

I want to thank you for all you taught me, big guy. They sound simple, but some of lasting lessons that have stayed with me were your “code of west” philosophies. Riding for the brand man! Got to ride for the brand. Sometimes you just needed to “front foot” someone and bring ‘em down. Man how I laughed when you’d say that.

Thanks for being there when things got tough. The issues got so hard and overwhelming. Remember when I got a call on the lawsuit we were involved in and I was so upset that I stopped at your place on my way back from a meeting? I was so mad I was crying. You had never seen me cry and you didn’t know what to do so you blurted out, “Want to see my pipeline project?” Then I fell into a fit of laughter.

Remember the AFO/CAFO world tour of workshops? Poor Jonnie Ungerer had to listen to you and I argue for about 1000 miles about what was or wasn’t an animal feeding operation! Or when we went to Washington, D.C. and it was your first trip back for legislative conference and the airline steward asked if you were “a real cowboy”? Remember getting asked in D.C. as you walked down the street if you would let someone take your picture? I poked a lot of fun at you when that happened, but I was so proud. Proud of the heritage, custom and culture you represented from the Cowboy state. Proud that you wore that black hat no matter where we were. I was so proud to be associated with a true “real cowboy” that represented our districts so well.

I have so many fun and yes, I know sometime not so fun, memories. Anytime there is that many issues and that much work to be done, there’s bound to be tension. We had our fair share didn’t we? But Olin, you and I both know, we had each other’s back…. always.

I want to thank you for challenging me to expand and grow. I am a better person for it.

I want to thank you, big guy, for all you did. I want to thank your family for all they sacrificed. They sacrificed immensely for you to be able to give your time, talents and passion to our conservation district family. My friendship with your family will continue. I will continue to stop by your place.

Hey big guy, I am grateful. Grateful that I had the past 18 years to learn from you, be your friend, and be a part of the success and accomplishments you achieved.

The next year sure is going to be hard. Hard to get through all of meetings and auctions for the first time, without you. You will be there. You will be there one hundred times over. Not a person in our conservation district family will make it through without thinking of you. Your spirit will be with us all I know.

Bobbie Frank
Executive Director
Wyoming

I am spoiled rotten. God has blessed me in so many ways, a loving wife, two beautiful children, a ranch in Wyoming and Olin Sims as my best friend. We left for state convention on Sunday. Spent four days in Casper, doing what we do, had a great auction Tuesday night. I "set the room" for him and put together the sale order. Not many got to do that for him. Wednesday we came home late and Tammie had made supper for us. I remember he and my son Shade talking about meetings and stuff, questions that four year olds ask. Thursday we had a fire department meeting. Had a cold one after the meeting talking about everything we would talk about. Friday my life changed forever.

I read with interest John Redding's message on this site. John, I too, like so many, ask why? The tough part about having faith is that often you don't get an answer to that question. The loss of Olin is actually a test for Ralph, a test for each of us that knew him. How will it change us? How does it make us stronger? How will we adjust, use what we learned from knowing Olin, and make today a better day than yesterday? I got to spend time with him every one of the last six days he was here. Why me? I continue to pray for all of us with the same big empty hole, and am thankful for the blessings I received for being who I was in his life. We were pals, we were friends.

I reflect over our relationship the last year, six months, 30 days and marvel at the pieces that were put in place for what happened. Too many to list here, but answers to questions that could have been asked. Olin, why are you going into such detail on the fusion of poly pipe while we are freezing in this snowstorm? It was the last time we got to work together. Olin, why are you telling me to just relax and breath twice before speaking into that microphone before opening ceremonies at convention? It was the last time he would coach me. All the little pieces that fit so nicely now, that make sense somehow in preparing me and us for his absence. Preparing me, preparing you , in moving on, continuing his work, his visions. He would be so disappointed in me if I quit. If I didn't continue the purpose, didn't try to better tomorrow, didn't get involved and try to make a difference. Olin, I have a new dedication, like Kara, to make today better, to try a little harder, be a little softer, to care a little more, from what you have taught me, of whom you have helped me to become.

When Tammie asked me to do the eulogy at his services, I was scared and selfish. No way, I couldn't, I won't make it, I can't. I actually declined for a couple days.

Did any of you ever hear Olin say "I can't"? I thought about our friendship, how we would challenge each other, push each other, but ultimately respect each others limits. He wouldn't mind if I sat this one out I thought. Tammie said some words to me one day that made me do a one eighty on that decision in a hurry. Saturday at his services I delivered that eulogy. I spoke to those 1,400 people in that gymnasium and got to share with them my friend. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. The most honorable thing I have ever gotten to do in my life. I am spoiled. I am blessed.

Ralph Brokaw
Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, President
Medicine Bow Conservation District, Board Member
Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Department
Neighbor
Friend

What did Olin Sims mean to me: Not only was Olin a personal friend but we shared so many common interests. Olin and I traveled by pickup this last summer to Pagosa Springs, CO to meet with the San Juan CD to help them celebrate their 60th Anniversary. The San Juan CD was also celebrating the one billionth acre to be signed into a Conservation District.

On this journey we had a lot of time to converse and talk about the goals we saw for NACD. I was amazed at the knowledge that Olin possessed about so many subjects and what he envisioned to accomplish during his Presidency. His one regret was that he would not be able to serve NACD in the leadership capacity for a longer period of time. He wanted to see all of Colorado that he could during our short period of time. We stopped at Center CD to introduce ourselves, took photos of the staff with us, he was truly an ambassador for NACD.

I remember when Olin first came on the National scene and was amazed at what the Wyoming delegates brought to the table. It was through his leadership that the Western Coalition came into being, we previously had talked about forming an association to bring Western issues to the attention of NACD, but it was Olin that solidified WC's being. I realize that Olin couldn't have done this by himself, but he seemed to know what we the West needed and proceeded to help us be successful. Olin's interest was not only to have the West best interest represented but all of the Districts in the NACD equally represented.

I'll always remember Olin when I talk about cattle, grazing and pasture health, auctions, drought conditions, welding, even something as simple as eating ice cream. I could write a book on what Olin Sims meant to me but most of all he was a good friend. This has been one of the hardest letters of my life to write, I'll miss his leadership and friendship.

Bob Cordova
NACD Second Vice President
Colorado Springs, CO

I have been waiting for weeks to wake and find the terrible nightmare over and the phone to ring and get the customary greeting “John Redding, Olin Sims, got any rain yet?” You see, he knew we have been in the worst drought in history and even though he knew that we had made a good crop on our farm because of irrigation, there were many, including livestock farmers, that are still in desperate need of water, and he cared. That was his nature, like all people that love the land he cared not only about himself and his ranch, but all those who make it their daily routine to work the land.

Georgia was host to the NACD Congressional Staff tour and I felt it my responsibility to be sure that the tour was educational and entertaining. There was no one that tried to learn more than Olin. We went to a peanut farm to show the staff conservation practices, Olin wanted to learn about growing peanuts. Then there was a stop at stack house, where poultry liter is stored until soil test indicate it is needed on the land, Olin wanted to learn about poultry production. The staff was taken on a river tour to view the measures taken to clean the water, a tobacco farm and cattle operation to see BMP, a forestry demonstration of silvaculture in longleaf pine Olin was always asking questions he thought would benefit staff, even if he knew the answer himself. He wanted to learn and he wanted others to understand the importance of what we do.

As I reflect back on all the plans that Olin had made for NACD and the bright promise of a future under his leadership, I could not help but think of the word in the Kris Kristerofferson song “Why me Lord, what have I ever done.” But I substitute a little and my version was “Why him Lord, what had he ever done”. You see I am no different from most others I am sure in thinking he was such a great leader, a good person, and a genuine friend. Why not some of the bad people that committed crimes and hurt their fellowman rather than this much loved friend to so many? Then I have to remind myself that it is not up to me to question this thing, rather it is now our responsibility to continue the work that he started and make it better because of him.

John Redding
NACD Treasurer
Monroe, GA

As I look back on the past year, it is with a heavy heart that I write this. What was an exciting time for our organization is now a very sad time due to the loss of our President. Olin was a true friend to conservation. He gave it his all 100 percent of the time.

He was also a personal friend to many of us in the conservation family including me. Many of my almost weekly phone calls with him went like this.....“Hey little buddy how much rain did you get this week?”

My typical answer seemed to be 1 or 2 inches. He seemed to always be needing rain and I seemed to have enough, plus a little extra.

This would always bring home the point how different our country's conservation needs are.

I will truly miss him. I also know he would want us to continue making every acre count!

Steve Robinson
Acting NACD President
Marysville, OH

He was a staff person’s dream, especially one that loves policy and politics.

Olin was so many things to so many people and if you take a few moments to read a Tribute to a Cowboy on the NACD website, you will see how many people called him leader, friend, mentor, role model, steward of the land, great conservationist, etc.

He was all those things and a great boss. I always call our President my big boss since, in reality, I do answer to all 3,000 districts. However, the NACD President is the one that I actually talk or email daily with and I get my marching orders from.

I have been so fortunate to work wonderful talented leaders and Olin was no exception. We bonded quickly on my first major trip as CEO of NACD. I went to Wyoming to learn about western issues….Wyoming style.

Not only was my trip informative, it was fun. Olin and I talked politics and policy for days. We did not always agree but he was eager to learn more about Capitol Hill and I was excited to talk about what I knew. He did not express any interest in running for NACD national office to me but I remember telling him he should think about it. He only laughed and said he would leave that honor to others.

But, as we all know, Olin was not one to leave hard work or responsibility to others and when he saw a need he stepped up. He knew he would be following strong leaders at NACD like Gary Mast and Bill Wilson and realized he would have to work hard to fill their shoes. So in Olin fashion, he studied hard, asked a million questions, challenged himself to be the best and provided the leadership to keep NACD focused and on target during a tough and demanding times.

When Olin was thrust forward through the NACD officer ranks for reasons out of his control, he became President Elect and Chair of the Legislative Committee in only his second year as an officer. The first full discussion we had re the farm bill process he asked me what was the one thing I wanted most from the farm bill….I answered quickly— “a seat at the table and to work for a group that knows how to use it.”

He shot back with a quick laugh. “That is two things!” he said. But, he continued and told me “if you will get us that seat at the table, I promise we will know how to use it.”

Legislative credibility and visibility were important to Olin. He recognized that conservation districts deserved a place at the decision table and he worked to make sure conservation districts were involved and knew how to make the most of the influence we earned.

He made countless trips to Washington, invested his time and efforts in knowing Congressional staff and Members of Congress, he did his homework and learned the details on process and policies. He challenged the Legislative Committee and others to dig deeper and provide the guidance he and the officers needed to make good decisions. He did what was needed when it was needed.

I truly miss Olin. It is as if I have lost a member of my family. When I said that to my dear husband who did lose a child this year, he only said “You did. Olin was part of your work family. You love work and you love the people you work with and for.” As usual he is right.

Krysta Harden
NACD CEO

At the end of my term as NACD President, when Olin assumed that responsibility I told him he was going to be a great president. I said he was younger than me and his memory was certainly better than mine.

While both those statements were true, what really made me know that Olin Sims would be a great president were those things I knew about Olin. Having worked by his side for many years I knew Olin to be a true conservationist. Olin knew the land and the importance of taking good care of it. Most of all Olin understood the importance of public policy addressing the needs of local people. Olin had that philosophy that I so often see in the West, “that anything is possible.” If people work together for the common good then good policy will be the result. Olin knew that “working together works.”

I am saddened by the fact that Olin didn’t get to complete his term as President, because NACD, Conservation Districts, Federal and State Agencies, and land owners and users would have all been the better for it. He carried with him a pride in the land where the Sims Ranch stands and a sincere pride in his family.

The saddest thing to me is that Olin didn’t get the opportunity to complete his “term” as husband and father to Tammy and Tyler. I can only begin to imagine the pain of your loss. Tammy and Tyler please know you have our moral support, and of course anything else we can do to help you get through this tragedy.

Sincerely,
Bill Wilson
NACD Past President
Kinta Oklahoma