About Us

Purpose KRS 262.020

The purpose of a Conservation District is to conserve and develop all renewable natural resources within the district. In so doing, the district is authorized to undertake, sponsor, or participate in projects, activities and programs which promote the conservation, development, maintenance, and wise use of the land, water, trees, and other related natural resources of the district.

Kentucky's Conservation Districts are a subdivision of state government and have been organized for the special purpose to assist landowners and land users: in solving soil and water resource problems, setting priorities for conservation work to be accomplished, coordination the federal, state, and local resources needed to accomplish this work, and provide leadership at the local level and means for interested local citizens to work together to achieve desired results.

History

In 1940, the Kentucky General Assembly passed enabling legislation, which allowed local farmers to petition and establish conservation districts. In 1941, the first Kentucky conservation district was organized in South Logan County. North Logan soon followed, making Logan the only Kentucky county with two conservation districts. The remaining 119 Conservation Districts were formed on a county line basis, giving the state a total of 121 Conservation Districts. Henderson County was the final district organized. Thus, in 1954 Conservation Districts completely covered the state. Todd County Conservation District was organized in 1946.

Governing Body

Each local Conservation District is governed by a seven member Board of Supervisors elected by the registered voters within that district. These Supervisors serve terms of four years. Supervisor elections are held every two years, with three Supervisors being elected on time and four the next. District Supervisors cannot hold any other elective office and serve without pay. Supervisors may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties and may be paid a per diem for attending meetings or otherwise discharging the obligations of office.

Technical assistance is furnished to Districts by the Natural Resource Conservation Service, to assist farmers in planning and applying a soil and water conservation system of farming, through a Conservation Farm Plan. The assistance is made possible through a cooperative agreement between the Todd County Conservation District and the U.S. Department of Agricultural. Other Federal, State and County Agencies, groups and organizations assist in carrying out the program within the District.