Morrow
Soil and Water
Conservation District
"To educate and assist all people in the conservation of the valuable natural resources of Morrow County."
SWCD History
Soil and Water Conservation Districts
History
Following the American Civil War, a string of federal land policies were enacted to incentivize families to venture westward into the Great Plains. As homesteads were established, much of the newly acquired spaces were cultivated for agriculture. Soon, the landscape of Middle America had been permanently altered.
World War I increased the demand for wheat, corn and other row crops in the 1910's and '20s. An unusually wet period of time saw successful yields. As prices grew, so did the encroachment of row cropping on native grasslands through aggressive plowing practices.
The rains ceased in the 1930's delivering a devastating drought to the young farms. Crops began to fail, and without native grasses to hold the soil in place, the bare land began to erode away in the wind.
This series of events led to the "Dust Bowl" of 1934. The dust of the Great Plains shaded out the sun all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. In response to this catastrophic event and the public outcry, The Soil Conservation Act of 1935 was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Dust Storm in Rolla, Kansas
"05-06-35, Dear Mr. Roosevelt, Darkness came when it hit us."- NARA
It was at this time Hugh Hammond Bennet, a soil scientist from North Carolina, was named to lead the newly formed Soil Conservation Service (an agency now referred to as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS). Bennet believed the down trodden land could be restored if the right agricultural practices could be implemented. With the encouragement of research farms as proof and twenty-cents an acre, skeptical farmers in the plains began to take up these practices (example: contour plowing and cover crops). Bennet had a vision for a new way of agriculture. One that would maximize results, but minimize the impact and forever link agriculture and natural resources conservation.
Hugh Hammond Bennet sought to streamline the process of sharing this new way of farmer with growers across the country. He understood that producing food on a vast piece of land like the United States did not lend itself to a one-size-fits-all solution. Agricultural communities needed to be served by local people who understood the producers and parcels. Thus Soil and Water Conservation Districts were born.
Function
SWCD's are led by an elected Board of Supervisors that represent the locality in the guidance of hired staff, whose job it is to carry out the conservation programs available to the district. This is endearingly known as "Locally-led" conservation.
"Locally led conservation is a grassroots effort to identify and resolve natural resource conservation concerns. It is essential in promoting and developing the stewardship ethic where people help each other in local communities to enhance and conserve those resources today for future generations." - NACD secretary-Treasurer, Jack Majeres.
Morrow SWCD
The Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District is a legally organized subdivision of the State of Ohio assigned under law to the task of protecting and improving the soil, water, and related natural resources of Morrow County. The district is a three person staffed, government organization supervised by a five member, non-paid, elected board.
The function of a soil and water conservation district (SWCD) is to coordinate and make available technical, financial, and educational resources to meet the needs of local land users for the conservation of soil, water and related resources.
The Morrow SWCD was among the first recognized districts in the State of Ohio with an establishment date of June 1st, 1942. It is with a proud and robust history that we continue to serve Morrow County in conservation.
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Mission: To educate and assist all people in the conservation of the valuable natural resources of Morrow County
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Vision: A professional team providing leadership and working to improve the quality of life by providing the best conservation and educational services to Morrow County.
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