Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District (Warren Co SWCD) is an independent political subdivision of state government that provides technical assistance to land owners and users. Our mission is to promote wise stewardship of our natural resources through cooperative partnerships, educational programs, and technical assistance in land and water management. We receive administrative guidance, training, program development support and financial assistance from the Ohio Department of Agriculture Division of Soil and Water Conservation.
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SWCD History |
Warren Co SWCD's journey began during the Dust Bowl Era 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. |
