Missouri’s 114 soil and water conservation districts are organized under state law to carry out Missouri’s soil and water conservation programs. The districts provide information and education, financial incentives, and technical support with design, implementation and maintenance of soil and water conservation cost-share practices.
Soil and water conservation districts are local people solving local problems. You can help put conservation practices on the ground by becoming a board member.
Responsibilities
Soil and Water Conservation District board members approve cost-share conservation practice contracts, management of staff, education outreach, goals and priorities, and district financial management and oversight. In most cases, regular board meetings are held monthly and are open to the public. Most districts also have an informational meeting in which generally the past year's accomplishments are reviewed, outstanding agricultural producers are recognized, and landowners from the county are invited to learn more about the various programs offered by the districts.
Qualifications
Elections are held every two years. Board members are elected by agricultural landowners in the county.
To be considered as a candidate in the election, you must meeting the following qualifications:
- Being a land representative from the district, as defined in Code of State Regulations, 10 CSR 70-4.010(1)(I). A land representative is defined as the owner or representative authorized by power of attorney of any farm lying within an area proposed to be established, and subsequently established, as a soil and water conservation district under Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 278, RSMo. Each farm is entitled to representation by a land representative: provided, however that the land representative is a taxpayer of the county within which the soil and water district is located.
- Residing in, or owning a farm in, the area from which he/ she is nominated where there is an expiring term.
- Being a cooperator of the district, defined as, "a person who is actively engaged in farming and practices conservation activities related to agriculture".
- Being a current resident and tax-paying citizen of the county for at least two years before the election date.
- Being 18 years of age or older by the election date.