Honoring Our Past, Protecting Our Future – 75 Years of Conservation
Who Is Stark Soil & Water?
To get an understanding of who and what Stark Soil and Water Conservation District is it’s best to start at the root of it all.
The rich land of the southern great plains, giving way to bountiful crops turns bitter and unforgiving in the wake of carless farming practices. The land teaches man what a conservation-less society can lead to.
As families fled their once rich farmland, Hugh Bennett known as the father of soil conservation stepped up. He put his knowledge and passion to the test in an effort to save millions of acers of farmland and pave the way for future sustainable practices in order to prevent another land devastation like the dust bowl.
Although, the dust bowl displaced the lives of thousands it didn’t happen in vain. Without it, the creation of the Natural Resources Conservation Service may have never been born. NRCS, a partner organization, lead to the development of state initiatives and later individual community organizations… thus the birth of county soil and water conservation districts all across the country.
On October 17th, 1949, a group of 145 representatives from various farm organizations around Stark County met to discuss their likeminded thoughts on soil conservation. They listened closely as H.T. Marshall, the district conservationist from the U.S. Soil conservation explained the role of a county soil conservation district and why the farmers should proceed with the organization of one.
Then on February 13th, 1950, after 55 farmers signed the petition to seek a hearing from the Ohio State Conservation committee on the approval of organizing a new district in Stark County. Upon approval it was moved to a county election to seek the approval of the landowners.
On March 7th, 1950, Stark Soil and Water conservation district was established after a passing vote. Then on June 8th, 1950, the board of supervisors met and elected their first panel of officers. Virgil Burriss, Marvin Cook, and Raph Bordner served as the first three board members.
Today, we do a bit of it all from agriculture cover crop programs to urban stormwater programs and even education initiatives; all in an effort to preserve our natural resources and serve you.