Roy Mills - A Texas Volunteer Treasure

A longtime rancher, retired agricultural instructor at Nacogdoches High School, and cooperator with the Nacogdoches Soil and Water Conservation District, Roy Mills contributes to NRCS and conservation programs based on his background.

His contribution was recently recognized by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), being named its 2007 Earth Team Volunteer of the Year.

“His contributions to NRCS and other organizations make him an exemplary leader in the community, and a great help to NRCS,” said Troy Mumphrey, NRCS limited resource specialist in Tyler, who nominated Mills for the award.

Mills signed on as an Earth Team Volunteer for NRCS in 2004. Since July 2004, he has also served as chairperson for Region 3 of the Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers Community Based Organization (CBO) which covers eight counties. He works to improve participation in the use of services and programs for limited resource producers and/or minority and female landowners. Mills travels across east Texas to attend field days to gain knowledge about agricultural techniques to share with other landowners in Region 3 of the Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers CBO during their monthly meetings. He also attended the National GLCI meeting in St. Louis in December 2006 with three other members of the CBO bringing back information to educate and share with other landowners.

Mills volunteers numerous hours to attend NRCS limited resource producer meetings, assist with meetings for landowners with information on Hurricane Rita disaster relief efforts, support the Conservation for the Future Workshop for students in grades 7 through 12, secure monetary sponsorship, and provide transportation for students to attend workshops that educate the students about careers in agriculture. He also assists Nacogdoches Extension Service with its local beef and pesticide training.

Mills also works with Prairie View A&M University’s 1890 program Extension agent in Nacogdoches with 4-H activities. Recently, Mills provided transportation for 4-H members to a summer camp. In September 2007, Mills was selected to meet with USDA’S Office of Civil Rights representatives from Washington, D.C., in Center, Texas.

As a member of Johnson Chapel Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, he helps with church programs and is chairman of the Cemetery Committee.

“Mr. Mills serves his community in many capacities. He helps producers understand and apply conservation practices through the many programs available to them. He leads the youth in his community to strive for careers in agriculture,” Mumphrey said. “Mr. Mills gives back to his community with his heart and is certainly worthy of the 2007 Earth Team Award.”




Roy Mills, middle, received his Texas 2007 Earth Team Volunteer of the Year Award from Troy Mumphrey, left, NRCS limited resource specialist, Tyler, Texas; and Al Schmidt, right, NRCS natural resource manager, Nacogdoches, Texas.