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Posted on Aug 20, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Timothy (Tim) Beard is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) state conservationist for North Carolina.
For more than 37 years, Timothy (Tim) Beard has worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Some of his past positions in the agency include being director of the Management Service Division and branch chief for Environmental Improvement Programs at the national headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The longtime USDA veteran now serves as state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in North Carolina. He’s held this role for the past 11 years.
Beard, a native of Harlem, Georgia, graduated from then Fort Valley State College (now university) in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture engineering technology (AET).
As state conservationist, Beard is responsible for the management, leadership and direction of all administrative and technical functions for the USDA’s NRCS in North Carolina. He also oversees numerous programs that involve financial planning and management, equipment and property management, record management and communications. Other duties include coordinating, communicating and collaborating with various conservation partners.
Furthermore, the Fort Valley State graduate is accountable for a staff of more than 170 NRCS employees in North Carolina, 10 of whom report directly to him.
Beard was able to briefly take a break and answer a few questions about his time as an undergraduate on the FVSU campus.
Were you raised on a farm?
“I don’t consider myself as being raised on a farm, but we grew almost everything we ate. My parents and grandparents always grew their own food while I was growing up in rural Columbia County, Georgia.”
Did you have any relatives to graduate from FVSU?
“My dad’s younger sister and brother (Martha and Cleveland Beard) both graduated from FVSC in the 1970’s.”
Why did you decide to enroll at FVSU?
“Even though my parents and grandparents did not receive a college education, they always encouraged my sister and I to attend college. I was also a two-sport letterman in high school with football being my best sport, but I was not recruited by many schools. I asked my uncle (Cleveland) about Fort Valley State’s football program. He spoke to then head football coach Douglas (Doug) Porter, who requested my high school game films. After seeing them, he offered me a scholarship to play football at ‘The Valley.’”
What or who inspired you to select your major?
“One of my high school teachers offered me a summer job working for his dad’s irrigation company. At one of our worksites, there was an inspector that attended Auburn University. He majored in agriculture engineering. I had never heard of an agricultural engineer. I thought his job was interesting, and he explained what agriculture engineering was and how the major offered various employment opportunities.”
AET is not an easy major. How did you balance your time to successfully complete your degree?
“It wasn’t easy. But part of the college experience is about being resourceful, flexible and disciplined. There was a time and place for all aspects of my college experience.”
Did you participate in any undergraduate organizations or extra-curricular activities
“I played football and pledged the mighty Upsilon Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.”
How would you rate your undergraduate experience at FVSU?
“My experience at (then) FVSC was amazing. It helped mold me into who I am today, and I’m blessed to be a Wildcat. The chant of “I’m so glad I go to Fort Valley” is food for my soul.”
How well did FVSU prepare you for your professional career?
“I had great instructors at Fort Valley State. Dr. Charles Magee and Dr. Chau Nguyen were the main professors for AET students. They prepared me for work life and life in general.”
Before graduating, did you participate in any internships?
“No, I didn’t participate in an internship. However, I did work for several summers on the Fort Valley State farm.”
What do you enjoy the most about your job?
“I love my job. What I enjoy the most is developing and enhancing my staff’s professional growth.”
If a student approached you about attending FVSU, what advice would you give them to achieve academic success?
“My sales pitch would be that FVSU is the ultimate family experience, and its support system is second to none. To achieve academic success takes discipline and perseverance, but it's achievable. That was my experience, and I hope that standard still exists.”
*Beard is married to his wife, Zebetta (also an FVSU graduate). They have a daughter and one grandson.
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