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About UsThe Warren County SWCD works to promote wise stewardship of our natural resources. We accomplish our mission through cooperative partnerships, educational programs and technical assistance in land and water management.
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Our Mission |
The Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District's mission is to promote wise stewardship of our natural resources through cooperative partnerships, educational programs and technical assistance in land and water management.
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Historical Background |
The Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District’s journey begins during the Dust Bowl Era. Our nation’s largest man-made ecological disaster began in the 1930s. The cause of these dust storms was a combination of severe drought and decades of extensive farming without erosion control or crop rotation. The amount of soil lost from the nation’s croplands reached millions of tons a year.
In response to the crisis,the U.S. Department of Interior created the Soil Erosion Service (SES) in 1930. The SES was moved to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and became the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The SCS was the first permanent erosion and flood control agency of the federal government. It was quickly realized that farmers and local landowners were hesitant to work directly with the federal government. As a result, Congress passed a resolution allowing states to establish local soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs). In 1994, the SCS changed their name to the Natural Resource Conservation Service or NRCS. Soil and water Conservation Districts still work with local NRCS offices today. Governor John W. Bricker signed Ohio’s Soil Conservation District Enabling Act on June 5th 1941. Ohio law required at least 65% approval to form a District. Warren County residents voted in February 1944 and approved the creation of the District with more than 97% of voters in favor. |
SWCD Today |
Warren County SWCD, along with all 88 SWCDs in Ohio, is an independent political subdivision of state government organized along county boundaries providing technical assistance to urban and rural land users. An elected board of local citizens provides SWCD leadership through three-year terms. The supervisors are responsible for developing both the Annual Plan of Work and the Long-Range Plan. They also provide the general oversight of operations and budget.
Warren County SWCD receives administrative guidance, training, program development support and financial assistance from the Ohio Department of Agriculture Division of Soil and Water Conservation (DSWC). DSWC was established beginning January 2016 through a transfer of programs from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture as directed by the 131st Ohio General Assembly in HB 64. The Division's central office is located on the Ohio Department of Agriculture campus in Reynoldsburg with many field offices and staff stationed throughout the state. |
The Warren County Commissioners ensure our service to the Warren County community. David Young, Shannon Jones and Tom Grossmann are forward thinking, conservation minded and wonderful partners. They have the best interest of the people of Warren County in mind at all times as well as a deep commitment to the preservation of the natural resources that make Warren County beautiful. Warren SWCD is partially funded by the Commissioners, which in turn is matched by the State of Ohio.
Our Partners |
The Warren County SWCD works with many organizations providing services such as classroom and adult education, technical assistance, conservation planning and sediment and erosion control regulation tracking. Listed are just a few of our cooperative partners.
Warren Co Engineer’s Office Warren Co Regional Planning Commission Health Department Solid Waste Greater Dayton Partners for the Environment Clean Ohio Regional Storm Water Collaborative Save Local Waters City of Mason Deerfield Township City of Lebanon Village of South Lebanon NRCS ODNR ODA OSU Extension Office |