On July 9, 1937, the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Act was approved.  The Illinois General Assembly felt that soil and water conservation was in the public’s best interest.  Soil and Water Conservation Districts were then established to provide assistance to landowners and operators who needed technical advice about conservation practices.

          The DeWitt County Soil & Water Conservation District was organized and granted a charter on February 8, 1943.  The first meeting of record to organize the district board was held on March 16, 1943.  The first directors were listed as: Robert Armstrong, Jr., Noble Dawson, Lloyd Phares, Lester Finfrock and Henry Wrage.  Those elected to office at that meeting were:

¨       Henry Wrage, Chairman

¨       Robert Armstrong, Secretary

          Currently, the District’s governing body consists of five directors, who must be owners or occupiers of land within the District boundaries.  Each director is elected for a two-year term at the District’s annual meeting, which is held in January or February.  Associate directors may also be appointed to assist with District programs or policies.

          Funding for the District is provided by the State of Illinois – Department of Agriculture, the DeWitt County Board, project specific grants and the sale of trees and fish.