History

In the 1930s, as the Dust Bowl swept across the nation relocating an estimated 300 million tons of soil, Americans realized the devastating effects of soil erosion. Legislation began to take shape to better manage and conserve the nation’s soil. Despite these actions, Missouri was still plagued with high erosion rates.

Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Districts

The State Soil and Water Districts Commission was created in 1943 to administer the soil and water conservation districts and formulate policies and general programs for the saving of Missouri soil and water through the county soil and water conservation districts. Missouri joined the movement to localize soil and water efforts when Harrison County formed the first soil and water conservation district in 1944. In 1996, Washington County became the last of Missouri's 114 counties to organize as a district.

The Soil and Water Conservation Program carries out the policies of the Soil and Water Districts Commission following the Soil and Water Districts Law (Chapter 278, RSMo). The program promotes good farming techniques that help keep soil on the fields, our waters clean and conserves the productivity of Missouri’s working lands.

Each soil and water conservation district is governed by a board of five supervisors, responsible for all district actions and employees. Four supervisors on each board are resident county agricultural landowners or their legal representative elected to serve four-year terms. The fifth is a representative from University of Missouri Extension.

In 1982, Missouri was losing soil at a rate of 10.9 tons per acre each year on cropland, one of the highest rates of erosion in the nation. In order to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality as well as support Missouri state parks, Missouri voters passed a one-tenth-of-one-percent sales tax in 1984, now called the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax.  The tax funds are divided equally between the Department of Natural Resources Soil and Water Conservation Program and Missouri State Parks. Slightly more than two-thirds of Missouri voters renewed the tax in 1988 and 1996, and 70.8 percent voted in favor in 2006. In 2016, all 114 counties approved the sales tax renewal resulting in the highest approval to date at 80.1 percent.

Missouri’s soil and water program is a role model for the nation. Other states envy Missouri for its dedicated tax and support of soil and water conservation. Since 1982, Missouri’s soil erosion rate dropped more than any other state with more than 10 million acres of cropland. It is estimated that more than 179 million tons of soil have been saved since passage of the sales tax.

The sales tax provides financial incentives that share the cost between the farmer and the state of implementing the installation of soil and water conservation practices that prevent or control excessive soil erosion and protect water quality.

Missouri has come a long way since the sales tax was first approved in 1984; however, there is still work to be completed. Issues affecting soil health, soil erosion, water quality can have detrimental effects on Missouri’s natural resources and agricultural productivity. Research and water quality monitoring can help verify that soil and water conservation practices are working as intended. With your continued support, we can help make Missouri an even better place to live, work and enjoy the outdoors.

Historical

Historical

Historic Background

The first meeting to discuss formation of a soil and water conservation district in Webster County was held in Seymour on Nov. 16, 1966. There were 12 people present. Another meeting was held at Cave Springs soon after. A county-wide meeting, with 52 people attending, was held in Marshfield on Dec. 8, 1966.  Harold Owens, Executive Secretary of the Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission, along with Jack Dunn, Area Conservationist of the Soil Conservation Service (Natural Resources Conservation Service), explained how a district could be established.

Cecil Kenneth Davis of Marshfield was elected organizational chairman. Petitions were given to about 20 people, who agreed to secure signatures of landowners. The target date set for completion of the petitions was Feb. 15, 1967. The necessary signatures were obtained from each township by that date.  

A public hearing was granted for March 7, 1967, which Mr. Owens conducted. Discussions, both pro and con, were recorded by Herman Childress, temporary secretary. After testimony, a show of hands indicated a majority present was in favor of forming a district. About 40 were present for the hearing.

Four areas were agreed upon and then members from each area met, nominated candidates for supervisors and selected polling places. The date for the vote was set for April 1, 1967.

Area I included the townships of Jackson, Washington and Union. Fern Atteberry was elected supervisor. The vote was 71 to 3 in favor of district organization.

Area II included the townships of Grant, Ozark and Niangua. Cecil Davis was elected supervisor. The vote was 75 to 0 in favor.

Area III included High Prairie, Hazelwood and Finely townships. Herman Childress was elected supervisor. The vote was 75 to 0 in favor.

Area IV included East and West Dallas, and East and West Benton townships. Dale Short was elected supervisor. The vote was 33 to 0 in favor.

Organization of the board of supervisors was held in the County Extension Center, on May 3, 1967. Cecil Davis was elected Chairman,  Fern Atteberry, 1st Vice-Chairman, Dale Short, 2nd Vice-Chairman,  Herman Childress, Treasurer, and Claude Lewis, Secretary.