<PAGE>   1
                                  EXHIBIT 24.1
                                  ------------

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------

                  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, a
Director of N-Viro International Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation that is filing an Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") for the
year ended December 31, 1997 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby
constitutes and appoints James McHugh his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, for him and in his name, place and stead, in the capacity as Chairman of
the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, to sign such
Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, and to file such Form 10-K and
each such amendment so signed, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other
documents in connection therewith, hereby granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereunto sets his hand
this 8th day of April, 1998.

                                                 /s/  J. Patrick Nicholson
                                                 -------------------------
                                                 J. Patrick Nicholson


<PAGE>   2

                                  EXHIBIT 24.1
                                  ------------

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------

                  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, a
Director of N-Viro International Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation that is filing an Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") for the
year ended December 31, 1997 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby
constitutes and appoints James McHugh his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, for him and in his name, place and stead, in the capacity as Director, to
sign such Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, and to file such Form
10-K and each such amendment so signed, with all exhibits thereto, and any and
all other documents in connection therewith, hereby granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and
all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereunto sets his hand
this 8th day of April, 1998.

                                                      /s/  Bobby B. Carroll
                                                      ---------------------
                                                      Bobby B. Carroll


<PAGE>   3



                                  EXHIBIT 24.1
                                  ------------

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------

                  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, a
Director of N-Viro International Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation that is filing an Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") for the
year ended December 31, 1997 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby
constitutes and appoints James McHugh his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, for him and in his name, place and stead, in the capacity as Director, to
sign such Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, and to file such Form
10-K and each such amendment so signed, with all exhibits thereto, and any and
all other documents in connection therewith, hereby granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and
all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereunto sets his hand
this 8th day of April, 1998.

                                                   /s/  Michael G. Nicholson
                                                   -------------------------
                                                   Michael G. Nicholson


<PAGE>   4

                                  EXHIBIT 24.1
                                  ------------

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------

                  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, a
Director of N-Viro International Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation that is filing an Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") for the
year ended December 31, 1997 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby
constitutes and appoints James McHugh his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, for him and in his name, place and stead, in the capacity as Director, to
sign such Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, and to file such Form
10-K and each such amendment so signed, with all exhibits thereto, and any and
all other documents in connection therewith, hereby granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and
all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereunto sets his hand
this 8th day of April, 1998.

                                                /s/  Terry J. Logan, Ph.D.
                                                --------------------------
                                                Terry J. Logan, Ph.D.



<PAGE>   5


                                  EXHIBIT 24.1
                                  ------------

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------

                  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, a
Director of N-Viro International Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation that is filing an Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") for the
year ended December 31, 1997 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby
constitutes and appoints James McHugh his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, for him and in his name, place and stead, in the capacity as Director, to
sign such Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, and to file such Form
10-K and each such amendment so signed, with all exhibits thereto, and any and
all other documents in connection therewith, hereby granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and
all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereunto sets his hand
this 8th day of April, 1998.

                                           /s/  Charles B. Kaiser, Jr.
                                           ---------------------------
                                           Charles B. Kaiser, Jr.




<PAGE>   6


                                  EXHIBIT 24.1
                                  ------------

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------

                  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, a
Director of N-Viro International Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation that is filing an Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") for the
year ended December 31, 1997 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby
constitutes and appoints James McHugh his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, for him and in his name, place and stead, in the capacity as Director, to
sign such Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, and to file such Form
10-K and each such amendment so signed, with all exhibits thereto, and any and
all other documents in connection therewith, hereby granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and
all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereunto sets his hand
this 8th day of April, 1998.

                                            /s/  James D. O'Neil
                                            --------------------
                                            James D. O'Neil


<PAGE>   7


                                  EXHIBIT 24.1
                                  ------------

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------

                  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, a
Director of N-Viro International Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation that is filing an Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") for the
year ended December 31, 1997 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby
constitutes and appoints James McHugh his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, for him and in his name, place and stead, in the capacity as Director, to
sign such Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, and to file such Form
10-K and each such amendment so signed, with all exhibits thereto, and any and
all other documents in connection therewith, hereby granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and
all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereunto sets his hand
this 8th day of April, 1998.

                                               /s/  B.K. Wesley Copeland
                                               -------------------------
                                               B.K. Wesley Copeland








<PAGE>   8
                                  EXHIBIT 24.1
                                  ------------

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------

                  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, a
Director of N-Viro International Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation that is filing an Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") for the
year ended December 31, 1997 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby
constitutes and appoints James McHugh his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, for him and in his name, place and stead, in the capacity as Director, to
sign such Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, and to file such Form
10-K and each such amendment so signed, with all exhibits thereto, and any and
all other documents in connection therewith, hereby granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and
all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereunto sets his hand
this 8th day of April, 1998.

                                                 /s/  Frederick H. Kurtz
                                                 -------------------------
                                                 Frederick H. Kurtz

<PAGE>   9

                                  EXHIBIT 24.1
                                  ------------

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------

                  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned, a
Director of N-Viro International Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation that is filing an Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") for the
year ended December 31, 1997 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby
constitutes and appoints James McHugh his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, for him and in his name, place and stead, in the capacity as Director, to
sign such Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto, and to file such Form
10-K and each such amendment so signed, with all exhibits thereto, and any and
all other documents in connection therewith, hereby granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and
all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereunto sets his hand
this 8th day of April, 1998.

                                         /s/  Wallace G. Imrscher
                                         ------------------------
                                         Wallace G. Imrscher