Module 3 HISTORY OF THE CONSERVATION MOVEMENT

2. Conservation District History Early 1930s � Depression rocked the country Dust Bowl � unparalleled ecologic disaster that drove people from their homes In 1933, President Roosevelt summoned Hugh Bennett, a soil scientist, to the White House to see what could be done Bennett said that 100 million acres had lost its topsoil, nearly half had been destroyed and could never be farmed again FDR gave Bennett $5 million in relief funds to start the Soil Erosion Service, a temporary agency intended to provide relief

3. Conservation District History � cont�d In 1935, Hugh Hammond Bennett testified before Congress to persuade them to fund a permanent agency to heal the land. He wanted there to be local control, with every farm community setting up a soil conservation district. While talking to Congress, he looked out the window � revealed a �cloud of dust� coming from Black Sunday, two days ago, on the Great Plains Congress unanimously passed legislation making soil & water conservation a national policy and priority

4. Conservation District History � cont�d 1937 � President Roosevelt wrote governors of all states recommending conservation district enabling legislation Standard Soil Conservation Law � to persuade farmers & landowners to utilize soil conserving methods Brown County SWCD (NC) first conservation district established

5. SD Conservation District History 1937- The first �Soil Conservation Districts� to be organized in South Dakota were the Tri-County and Brown-Marshall districts. By 1941- Ten more districts were formed and that first dozen districts decided to form the State Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SDACD) in1943. 1953- District shall consist of five supervisors. There are 69 districts across the state.

6. SD Assoc. of Cons. Dist. History Prior to SDACD�s establishment, the US Soil Conservation Service worked closely with federal Civilian Conservation Corps on local projects from main camps in Alcester, Huron, Chamberlain and Sturgis and three side camps in Vermillion, Miller and Presho. 1941- A temporary organization first met 1942- Organizational meeting of the State Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts- (officially established in 1943)

7. SD Association of Conservation District Employee History 1973- SDACDE was formed to encourage efficient, informed and motivated and district employees sponsors annual training workshops, leadership conferences, informational materials, and improved communications between districts membership open to all district employees 1975- District Employee handbook and filing system developed 1983- Long Range Plan 1995- Initiated Karst Memorial Scholarships 2007- District Employee Handbook revised

8. SD Association of Conservation Dististrict Auxiliary History 1952- Organized for Spouses of conservation district supervisors and staff Top priority is conservation education for youth Helped develop and distribute materials under the Ag in the Classroom program Developed the Sammy Soil Saver mascot

9. SD Conservation Commission 1937- State Legislature established Soil Conservation Districts Law establishing the State Soil Conservation Committee, a citizen board appointed by the Governor 1949- State Committee authorized a revolving loan fund for district use (initial appropriation of $75,000) 1951- An additional $50,000 was added to the revolving loan fund 1968- Name changed to State Conservation Commission consisting of seven members Since then- Commission expanded to nine members, representing urban, tree industry, water development district, and farming interests

10. SD Conservation Commission- (cont.) 1991- Coordinated Soil and Water Conservation Plan established specific goals for soil and water conservation in SD 1992- Grants fund established using unclaimed gas tax 1993- First grants awarded 2007- Developed the Coordinated Plan for Natural Resources Conservation (revised 1991 plan) expanding goals to include not only soil and water, but also air, wildlife, and recreation 2008- Legislature established Soil Conservation Award program

11. NACD History In 1946, 32 soil conservation districts met in Washington, DC to form the National Association of Soil Conservation Districts (NASCD). Over 1600 districts had already formed across the nation. Early conservation district leaders recognized the need of a unified message to policy makers. This is still true today!

12. SD Dept. of AgricultureDivision of Resource Conservation and Forestry (RC&F) 1973 Legislature- Conservation Commission shall be administered under the direction and supervision of Division of Conservation 1975 Legislature- Commission functions relative to conservation districts shall be performed by the Division of Conservation 1991- Coordinated Soil and Water Conservation Plan established specific goals for soil and water conservation in SD 1995- Legislature combined Forestry and Conservation divisions and changed name to RC&F 2007- Developed the Coordinated Plan for Natural Resources Conservation (revised 1991 plan) expanding goals to include not only soil and water, but also air, wildlife, and recreation 2008- Legislature established Soil Conservation Award program

13. Natural Resources Conservation Service 1933- Soil Erosion Service began 1935- Name changed to Soil Conservation Service 1952- Merger of Soil survey into SCS 1960s and 70s- Expansion of interpretations of the soil survey information 1985- Food Security Act tremendously increased the SDS workload 1988- SCS became increasingly involved in efforts to improve and enhance water quality