The Sidney herald., 1958-05-01
Soil Conservation
District Supervisor
Defined by Law
BY Bill G. Jansen
Extension Area EonservutfOutS

Your Soil Conservation District
is by law a legal subdivision OF
the state and its powers, limita-
tons and purposes r defined
by Montana law. These statutes
provide that a Board of five SUI
pervisors who are farmers in the
district and elected by their fell
low farmers shall serve as the
governing body. In their capacity
as District Supervisors they are
charged with specific responsible
tiles in developing and carrying
out a program aimed at conserv-
ing our soil and moisture re-
sources and controlling wind and
water erosion. District Supervi-
sors serve without compensation.
In some cases they may be pro-
vided with travel expense to
meetings but In no case are they
on the county, state or Federal
payroll.
Each supervisor then is a SUI
pervisor because of his interest
In the cause of conservation, his
concern about the proper use OF
our soil and water resources and
the confidence that has been
placed in him by his fellow farm
ers. He is elected for three years
and the success or failure of the
District depends entirely upon his
interest, initiative and leadership.
When he assumes the position,
each District Supervisor agrees to
assume some rather definite re-
sponsibilities. He will become
better acquainted with the needs
for conservation in his district
those problems and situations that
are associated with improper use
of the soil and water resources.
He will take advantage of the
experiences Of other Districts by
learning what they r doing to
meet similar problems and stu
atoms. He will become acquaint-
ed with other groups and agen-
cies that are vitality interested in
the cause of conservation in order
that their efforts may become
more effective in the overall dis
trict program.
In the operation of his own
district he assumes responsibility
for developing an overall an
nual work plan - an outline of
what his district will attempt to
do in order to conserve the soil
and moisture resources and con-
troll wind and water erosion loss
es.
The District Supervisor is
responsible for seeing
that the work plan is success
fully carried out. He discusses in
dividual conservation problems
with friends and neighbors and
advises with them in developing
their individual farm conserva-
ton plan. He manages the dis
trict equipment and works close
ly with cooperating contractors
in getting earth-moving practices
on the land. He manages district
finances so that the best job can
be accomplished with the financial
resources at hand. He realizes
the value of an effective educa-
ton program as a means of caus-
ing people to be more conserva-
ton conscious and so he promotes
a program of. conservation edu-
cation involving farm operators,
schools, business and profession
al people and youth organizations.
AS his time will permit he parti-
in local, state and nation
al meetings as a means of gain
ing the experiences of fellow SUI
pervisors and other conservation
minded people.
Your Soil District Supervisor
IS a public spirited individual
who is intensely interested in
the cause of conservation and is
to take of his own time,
effort and money to further that
cause because he knows that his
efforts are in the interests of all
people in his district; not only
for the present but for the future
as well. He is quite an individual
and you should become better ac-
luainted with him.