What Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts Are
Soil and water conservation districts, or SWCDs, are local, quasi-governmental offices that help landowners protect soil and water. NPR Illinois reports that Illinois has 97 districts that assess soil and water conditions, educate farmers, help landowners find grants and give soil health advice. They also administer conservation programs for four state agencies and the Illinois branch of the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts, formed in 1948, describes itself as a grassroots group serving member districts, and its directory listing counts 98, so check with your local office if you are near a district line.
How the Board Works
Each district is run by a five-member board of directors. A Great Lakes Commission fact sheet says directors serve two-year terms and must own or occupy land in the district. The Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act, in 70 ILCS 405/20, provides that directors are elected, not appointed:
- Nominating petitions are filed with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, which runs the ballot.
- A nominee needs the signatures of at least 25 people who own or occupy land in the district.
- Petitions are due 20 to 60 days before the election.
- Only people who own or occupy land in the district may vote, with one ballot each, in person or absentee.
- The five nominees with the most votes are elected.
Do not confuse these with conservation districts under a separate law (70 ILCS 410), which are governed by a board of trustees rather than SWCD directors.
What a District Does for Landowners
- Help farmers adopt practices that protect soil health and water quality.
- Support the state's Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and help bring in federal funds.
- Prepare conservation plans, which state cost-share requires.
- Sell fish for pond stocking, native seed and trees, which raises about $1,000 to $5,000 a year per district, per NPR Illinois.
Cost-Share and Streambank Help
The Illinois Department of Agriculture's conservation page explains cost-share. SWCDs prioritize and select projects, and construction costs are split between the state and the landowner. Key rules:
- Land must be eroding at more than 1.5 times the tolerable soil loss rate.
- The landowner must cooperate with the SWCD and have an SWCD-approved conservation plan on file.
- Each SWCD sets its own rates, up to 60 percent, and can limit the practices it funds.
- Eligible practices include terraces, filter strips, grassed waterways and nutrient management planning.
- Priority goes to projects that save the most soil or serve the most acres per dollar.
- Recipients must maintain the practices for at least 10 years.
A separate streambank stabilization and restoration program needs a proposal sponsored by the local SWCD, can cover labor, equipment and materials, and carries the same 10-year maintenance rule. For program questions, the department's Bureau of Land and Water Resources can be reached at 217-782-6297.
Why It Matters to Producers
For a farmer, the district is usually the first stop for erosion, grassed waterways, ponds and cover crop questions. Because the office writes the conservation plan that cost-share requires, a short visit early in the year can save a season of waiting. Staff can also explain how state money fits with federal programs such as EQIP and CSP.
Land Use Councils and Partners
The statewide association says its board includes one director from each of the 16 Land Use Councils. Its news item describes nearly $17 million in NRCS-related agreements, including about $4 million over three years for climate-smart practice outreach, local working groups and watershed planning across those 16 councils.
Funding and Waiting Lists
Funding is tight. The state budgeted $3 million for cost-share and $4.5 million for district office operations for fiscal year 2027, down from operations funding that roughly doubled to $8.5 million in fiscal years 2022 to 2024. NPR Illinois reports that one farmer has waited about four years for wetland funding and others may wait four to 10 years. Illinois farmers submitted more than 3,000 EQIP applications and more than 1,000 CSP applications in 2026. AgriNews reported that the $4.5 million works out to roughly $40,000 per district, and an association leader said it is barely enough for one full-time staffer where each district needs two (AgriNews). Bills to add dedicated funding have been introduced but had not passed as of the latest reports.
How to Find and Use Your District
- Call or visit your county's SWCD office.
- Ask about open cost-share, the current waiting list and what a conservation plan involves.
- Bring a field map, soil and erosion concerns, and any past plans.
- Apply early, and expect to wait if funds are limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many districts does Illinois have?
NPR Illinois and the state association's news page both say 97; one association directory listing says 98.
Who can vote for district directors?
People who own or occupy land in the district, one ballot each.
What share of costs can cost-share cover?
Each district sets its own rate, up to 60 percent for state cost-share.
Do I need a plan first?
Yes. State cost-share requires an SWCD-approved conservation plan on file.
Illinois Listings Covered by This Guide
- Adams County Soil and Water Conservation District
Landowners in Adams County turn to the Adams County Soil and Water Conservation District in Quincy for conservation technical help, cost-share programs and soil and water education.
Quincy, IL - Bond County Soil and Water Conservation District
Based in Greenville, the Bond County Soil and Water Conservation District supports Bond County producers with erosion control, cover crop and drainage guidance plus local conservation outreach.
Greenville, IL - Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District
Based in Belvidere, the Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District supports Boone County producers with erosion control, cover crop and drainage guidance plus local conservation outreach.
Belvidere, IL - Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District
Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District, headquartered in Mt. Sterling, is the local conservation agency for Brown County agriculture, focused on soil health and watershed practices.
Mt. Sterling, IL - Bureau County Soil and Water Conservation District
Serving Bureau County from Princeton, the Bureau County Soil and Water Conservation District helps farmers and rural landowners put conservation practices on the land.
Princeton, IL - Calhoun County Soil and Water Conservation District
Local conservation district for Calhoun County that supports farm conservation practices, groundwater protection and wetland and habitat restoration, and connects landowners to cost-share programs.
Route 2 Hwy 100 North, Box 80, Hardin, IL 62047 | (618) 576-2717 - Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District
Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District, headquartered in Mt. Carroll, is the local conservation agency for Carroll County agriculture, focused on soil health and watershed practices.
Mt. Carroll, IL - Cass County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Cass County Soil and Water Conservation District is based in Virginia and works with Cass County landowners and farmers on soil erosion control, water quality and conservation planning.
Virginia, IL - Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District
Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District, headquartered in Champaign, is the local conservation agency for Champaign County agriculture, focused on soil health and watershed practices.
Champaign, IL - Christian County Soil and Water Conservation District
Christian County Soil and Water Conservation District, headquartered in Taylorville, is the local conservation agency for Christian County agriculture, focused on soil health and watershed practices.
Taylorville, IL - Clark County Soil and Water Conservation District
Landowners in Clark County turn to the Clark County Soil and Water Conservation District in Martinsville for conservation technical help, cost-share programs and soil and water education.
Martinsville, IL - Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District is based in Louisville and works with Clay County landowners and farmers on soil erosion control, water quality and conservation planning.
Louisville, IL - Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation District
Based in Breese, the Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation District supports Clinton County producers with erosion control, cover crop and drainage guidance plus local conservation outreach.
Breese, IL - Coles County Soil and Water Conservation District
Based in Charleston, the Coles County Soil and Water Conservation District supports Coles County producers with erosion control, cover crop and drainage guidance plus local conservation outreach.
Charleston, IL - Crawford County Soil and Water Conservation District
Based in Robinson, the Crawford County Soil and Water Conservation District supports Crawford County producers with erosion control, cover crop and drainage guidance plus local conservation outreach.
Robinson, IL - Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District
Serving Cumberland County from Toledo, the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District helps farmers and rural landowners put conservation practices on the land.
Toledo, IL - DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District
Public body governed by a five-member board that offers conservation planning, technical help and outreach, and helps landowners apply state and federal conservation programs.
1350 W. Prairie Dr., Sycamore, IL 60178 | 815-756-3234 ext. 3 - DeWitt County Soil and Water Conservation District
Landowners in DeWitt County turn to the DeWitt County Soil and Water Conservation District in Clinton for conservation technical help, cost-share programs and soil and water education.
Clinton, IL - Douglas County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Douglas County Soil and Water Conservation District is based in Tuscola and works with Douglas County landowners and farmers on soil erosion control, water quality and conservation planning.
Tuscola, IL - Edgar County Soil and Water Conservation District
Landowners in Edgar County turn to the Edgar County Soil and Water Conservation District in Paris for conservation technical help, cost-share programs and soil and water education.
Paris, IL - Edwards County Soil and Water Conservation District
Serving Edwards County from Albion, the Edwards County Soil and Water Conservation District helps farmers and rural landowners put conservation practices on the land.
Albion, IL - Effingham County Soil and Water Conservation District
Landowners in Effingham County turn to the Effingham County Soil and Water Conservation District in Effingham for conservation technical help, cost-share programs and soil and water education.
Effingham, IL - Fayette County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Fayette County Soil and Water Conservation District is based in Vandalia and works with Fayette County landowners and farmers on soil erosion control, water quality and conservation planning.
Vandalia, IL - Ford County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Ford County Soil and Water Conservation District works from an office on West Ottawa Road in Paxton, supporting soil, water and conservation work for Ford County landowners.
1380 W. Ottawa Rd., Paxton, IL 60957 | 217-379-4388 - Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District
Landowners in Franklin County turn to the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District in Benton for conservation technical help, cost-share programs and soil and water education.
Benton, IL - Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District
Serving Fulton County from Lewistown, the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District helps farmers and rural landowners put conservation practices on the land.
Lewistown, IL - Gallatin County Soil and Water Conservation District
Serving Gallatin County from Ridgway, the Gallatin County Soil and Water Conservation District helps farmers and rural landowners put conservation practices on the land.
Ridgway, IL - Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District
Based in Carrollton, the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District supports Greene County producers with erosion control, cover crop and drainage guidance plus local conservation outreach.
Carrollton, IL - Grundy County Soil and Water Conservation District
Grundy County landowners find conservation district help at this Route 47 office in Morris, led by an administrative coordinator and resource conservationist.
3605 N. IL Rt. 47, Suite B, Morris, IL 60450 | 815-942-0359 - Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District
Based in McLeansboro, the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District supports Hamilton County producers with erosion control, cover crop and drainage guidance plus local conservation outreach.
McLeansboro, IL - Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District
Based in Carthage, the Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District supports Hancock County producers with erosion control, cover crop and drainage guidance plus local conservation outreach.
Carthage, IL - Henderson County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Henderson County Soil and Water Conservation District is based in Stronghurst and works with Henderson County landowners and farmers on soil erosion control, water quality and conservation planning.
Stronghurst, IL - Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District
Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District, headquartered in Cambridge, is the local conservation agency for Henry County agriculture, focused on soil health and watershed practices.
Cambridge, IL - Iroquois County Soil and Water Conservation District
Serving Iroquois County from Watseka, the Iroquois County Soil and Water Conservation District helps farmers and rural landowners put conservation practices on the land.
Watseka, IL - Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District
Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District, headquartered in Murphysboro, is the local conservation agency for Jackson County agriculture, focused on soil health and watershed practices.
Murphysboro, IL - Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District
Serving Jasper County from Newton, the Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District helps farmers and rural landowners put conservation practices on the land.
Newton, IL - Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District
Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District, headquartered in Mt. Vernon, is the local conservation agency for Jefferson County agriculture, focused on soil health and watershed practices.
Mt. Vernon, IL - Jersey County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Jersey County Soil and Water Conservation District is based in Jerseyville and works with Jersey County landowners and farmers on soil erosion control, water quality and conservation planning.
Jerseyville, IL - Jo Daviess County Soil and Water Conservation District
Jo Daviess County Soil and Water Conservation District, headquartered in Elizabeth, is the local conservation agency for Jo Daviess County agriculture, focused on soil health and watershed practices.
Elizabeth, IL - Johnson County Soil and Water Conservation District
Serving Johnson County from Vienna, the Johnson County Soil and Water Conservation District helps farmers and rural landowners put conservation practices on the land.
Vienna, IL
Plus 56 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Illinois directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.