by Kelli Bowen
All across the country, including our state, we have soil conservation districts. What the heck is a soil conservation district?
A soil conservation district, or an SCD, has one goal: help conserve and preserve soil for future generations.
Do you like food? You need healthy soil in which to grow it. And clean water. That’s a pretty straightforward goal.
SCDs are non-partisan groups because all sides of the political coin agree: producing food for our planet is important and feeding more people on less soil, is an obstacle, so how can we help people retain and enhance their practices to save soil and have clean water for generations?
Do you know what doesn’t help soil? Erosion. Wind erosion and water erosion can be a huge loss of topsoil when we leave soil uncovered. SCDs have programs that can help reduce erosion. A lot of people think, at least in our area, SCDs plant trees. Which they do! That isn’t all they do.
Healthy soil and water requires pollination and insects in the ecosystem. Want advice on native plants to attract birds and bees to boost your local ecosystem? Contact an SCD!
Are you on a local park board and want some guidance on how to choose plants for months, years, and decades into the future? Contact an SCD.
Whether it’s advice on what to plant in your small urban yard or garden, or how to adopt practices for your large farms’ fields and prairie, a district employee can help!
There’s no cost to call an SCD. When a district employee is working with you to identify your goals and needs, there is most likely a cost-share program available to help too!
So the next time you think clean water and healthy soil, think about your local soil conservation district.
Editor's note: To find a SCD in your area, here is a link to ND Soil Conservation Districts directory
Kelli makes her home in Cass County with her husband, two daughters (11 and 8) and two dogs. She works for a regional seed company by day and tries to be an alright mom, wife, friend and writer by night.
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