What Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts Do
Indiana has 92 soil and water conservation districts, one per county. They are local units of government that connect landowners to education, technical help and money for conservation. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture's supervisor handbook chapter says districts provide soil and water conservation information, identify local resource concerns and link land users to educational, technical and financial assistance. Vanderburgh was the first district, created in 1940, and Tipton the last, in 1974. The governing law is now the Soil and Water Conservation District Act, IC 14-32.
How a District Is Governed
Each district is run by a board of five supervisors who serve staggered three-year terms:
- Three elected supervisors: chosen by land occupiers at an annual meeting held in January, February or March, with one seat up each year.
- Two appointed supervisors: named by the State Soil Conservation Board on recommendations from current supervisors.
The state's help center adds that elected supervisors must own or rent more than 10 acres in the district, and appointed supervisors must permanently live in it. Supervisors cannot levy taxes, issue bonds or use eminent domain.
The State and Federal Partners
The seven-member State Soil Conservation Board is appointed by the governor, with four farming and three nonfarming land occupiers. It directs and supports district activities. The ISDA Division of Soil Conservation provides field staff, training and program support, and runs Clean Water Indiana with the districts. At the federal level, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service delivers Farm Bill programs, and the Farm Service Agency and Purdue Extension are named as cooperating partners. The Indiana Conservation Partnership 2025 report lists these agencies together with IDNR, IDEM and the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Where the Money Comes From
The ISDA chapter on district funding describes a mix:
- County appropriations. Most counties fund at least a part-time district employee.
- Clean Water Indiana grants from ISDA, plus a state match of $1 for every $1 a district receives locally, capped at $10,000 per district.
- EPA Section 319 grants through IDEM and Lake and River Enhancement grants through DNR, which fund cost share for land users who install best management practices in a watershed.
- Federal grants and NRCS technical assistance contracts.
- Equipment rentals, such as no-till drills, and tree sales.
Cost Share Programs for Landowners
Money flows to landowners through several programs, and your district is the best place to ask which one fits.
Clean Water Indiana
ISDA's Clean Water Indiana grant guidance says cost share can cover up to 75 percent of final practice cost. Cover crops are capped at $30 per acre, with the landowner paying at least 25 percent. Landowners reach the money through the lead district's grant, and the guidance describes selection that favors first-time users and new acres. That guidance was written for a 2023 application round, so ask your district what is open now.
IMAGE cost share
ISDA's IMAGE program helps producers pay for livestock and soil health work. It is a pilot in 23 counties: Brown, Clay, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Johnson, Knox, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Posey, Putnam, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo and Warrick. It reimburses up to 75 percent of eligible costs after ISDA verifies the work. Eligible practices include:
- Heavy use area protection
- Pasture and hay planting
- Watering facilities and livestock pipelines
- Soil amendments such as lime, based on a certified soil test
Applications opened July 1, 2026. Applicants pay up front, and producers have 12 months from approval to finish installation. Talk to your local ISDA resource specialist or district office first.
NRCS programs
The NRCS Indiana page says technical assistance from your local field office is free, and you will need a tax ID, a deed or lease and a farm number from the Farm Service Agency for financial assistance. It lists a December 18, 2026 apply-by date for EQIP and CSP, and notes that NRCS takes applications year round but funds them in ranking periods.
What Conservation Looks Like Statewide
The 2025 partnership report counted about 242 thousand acres of cover crops, over 113 thousand acres of no-till and 603 acres of wetland work. It put public conservation funding that year at more than $111 million.
How to Find and Work With Your District
- Ask the Indiana State Information Center at 1-800-457-8283 for the contact in your county.
- Bring a farm map, your acreage and a short description of the problem, whether erosion, a wet area or a pasture that needs water.
- Ask about equipment rentals and which cost share programs are open.
- Attend the annual meeting if you farm in the district. It is where supervisors are elected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many districts does Indiana have?
Ninety-two, one for each county.
How many supervisors sit on a board?
Five: three elected and two appointed, each serving staggered three-year terms.
Can districts raise taxes?
No. Supervisors may not levy taxes, and districts rely mainly on county and state appropriations plus grants.
Is NRCS help free?
Technical assistance from your local NRCS field office is free, per the NRCS Indiana page. Financial assistance is competitive.
Indiana Listings Covered by This Guide
- Adams County Soil and Water Conservation District
Soil and water conservation district office in Decatur giving Adams County landowners help with cover crops, drainage, erosion control and cost-share programs.
975 S 11th St, Decatur, IN 46733 | 260-724-4124 - Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on Dupont Commerce Court in Fort Wayne, helping Allen County farmers and homeowners with soil health, stormwater and conservation planning.
2720 Dupont Commerce Court, Suite 101, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 | 260-484-5848 - Bartholomew County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on South Marr Road in Columbus serving Bartholomew County landowners with technical assistance, tree sales and conservation programs.
785 S. Marr Rd., Columbus, IN 47201 | 812-378-1280 - Benton County Soil and Water Conservation District
Benton County's soil and water conservation district keeps its office at 305 E 1st St in Fowler, serving local landowners on erosion control, drainage and conservation planning.
305 E 1st St, Fowler, IN 47944 | 765-884-0660 - Blackford County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on North High Street in Hartford City, advising Blackford County farmers on soil erosion, nutrient management and Clean Water Indiana grants.
121 N High St, Hartford City, IN 47348 | 765-348-1404 - Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on West Pearl Street in Lebanon giving Boone County producers and developers soil, water and cover crop guidance.
801 West Pearl Street, Suite C, Lebanon, IN 46052 | 765-482-6355 - Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office at the Brown County fairgrounds complex in Nashville, serving a hilly, forested county with erosion control and forestry advice.
802 Memorial Dr., Nashville, IN 47448 | 812-988-2211 - Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on US 421 in Delphi serving Carroll County, near the Wabash and Tippecanoe rivers, with conservation planning and farm program help.
1523 N US Highway 421, Suite 2, Delphi, IN 46923 | 765-564-4480 - Cass County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district in Logansport offering soil maps, grass drill rental, Envirothon and River Expedition programs, plat books and tree sales; open weekdays 8 AM to 4 PM.
906 W Broadway, Logansport, IN 46947 | 574-737-4160 - Clark County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on Highway 62 in Charlestown sharing space with Purdue Extension, assisting Clark County landowners with conservation practices.
9608 Highway 62, Charlestown, IN 47111 | 812-256-2330 - Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on US 40 in Brazil serving Clay County with technical assistance on reclaimed mine land, cropland erosion and pond management.
551 East US Hwy 40, Suite B, Brazil, IN 47834 | 812-446-8986 - Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on South Prairie Avenue in Frankfort advising Clinton County row-crop farmers on soil health, tile drainage and conservation cost-share.
860 S Prairie Avenue, Suite 1, Frankfort, IN 46041 | 765-659-1223 - Crawford County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office in English serving Crawford County landowners with woodland, erosion and water quality assistance in the Ohio River hills.
306 Oak Hill Circle, English, IN 47118 | 812-338-3224 - Daviess County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on East National Highway in Washington serving Daviess County producers with soil conservation and cover crop help.
2526 East National Hwy, Washington, IN 47501 | 812-254-4780 - Dearborn County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on Randall Avenue in Aurora, helping Dearborn County landowners manage steep slopes, streams and farm conservation practices.
10729 Randall Avenue, Suite 2, Aurora, IN 47001 | 812-926-2406 - Decatur County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on North Liberty Circle East in Greensburg serving Decatur County farmers with conservation planning and cover crop programs.
1333 N Liberty Circle East, Greensburg, IN 47240 | 812-663-8685 - DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on West 15th Street in Auburn serving DeKalb County landowners with drainage, erosion control and conservation program guidance.
942 W 15th Street, Auburn, IN | 260-925-5620 - Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on North Briarwood Lane in Muncie, serving Delaware County rural and urban landowners with soil and water resource advice.
3641 N Briarwood Lane, Muncie, IN 47304 | 765-747-5531 - Dubois County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on Executive Boulevard in Jasper serving Dubois County farmers with conservation planning, cost-share and soil health education.
1486 Executive Boulevard, Suite A, Jasper, IN 47546 | 812-482-1171 - Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on County Road 7 in Elkhart serving Elkhart County on manure, drainage and soil issues.
59358 County Road 7, Elkhart, IN 46517 | 574-523-2030 - Fayette County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on North Park Road in Connersville serving Fayette County landowners with soil conservation and water quality help.
2590 N Park Road, Connersville, IN 47331 | 765-825-2331 - Floyd County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on Corydon Pike in New Albany serving Floyd County with erosion control, stormwater and small-acreage conservation guidance.
2524 Corydon Pike, Suite 103, New Albany, IN 47150 | 812-945-9936 - Fountain County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on Pearl Street in Covington serving Fountain County farmers in the Wabash Valley with conservation practices and cost-share.
1315 Pearl Street, Covington, IN 47932 | 765-793-2764 - Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office on Oxford Pike in Brookville helping Franklin County landowners with hillside erosion, pond and woodland conservation.
10165 Oxford Pike, Brookville, IN 47012 | 765-647-2651 - Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District
Landowners in Fulton County can reach the soil and water conservation district at 1252 E 100 S, Rochester, for conservation planning and cost-share program help.
1252 E 100 S, Rochester, IN 46975 - Gibson County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Gibson County Soil and Water Conservation District operates from 229 Second Ave in Princeton and works with farmers and residents on soil health and water quality.
229 Second Ave, Princeton, IN 47670 | 812-385-5033 - Grant County Soil and Water Conservation District
Marion is home to the Grant County soil and water conservation district office (1113 E 4th St), a local contact for cover crops, erosion control and land stewardship.
1113 E 4th St, Marion, IN 46952 | 765-668-8983 - Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District
Based at 104 County Road 70 East, Suite B in Bloomfield, this Greene County district office supports farmers and homeowners with conservation practices that protect soil and water.
104 County Road 70 East, Suite B, Bloomfield, IN 47424 | 812-384-4634 - Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District
Hancock County's soil and water conservation district keeps its office at 1101 W Main St, Suite N in Greenfield, serving local landowners on erosion control, drainage and conservation planning.
1101 W Main St, Suite N, Greenfield, IN 46140 | 317-462-2283 - Harrison County Soil and Water Conservation District
Landowners in Harrison County can reach the soil and water conservation district at 1855 Gardner Lane NW, Corydon, for conservation planning and cost-share program help.
1855 Gardner Lane NW, Corydon, IN 47112 | 812-738-8121 - Hendricks County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Hendricks County Soil and Water Conservation District operates from 195 Meadow Dr, Suite 2 in Danville and works with farmers and residents on soil health and water quality.
195 Meadow Dr, Suite 2, Danville, IN 46122 | 317-745-2555 - Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District
New Castle is home to the Henry County soil and water conservation district office (146 E County Road 200, Suite C), a local contact for cover crops, erosion control and land stewardship.
146 E County Road 200, Suite C, New Castle, IN 47362 | 765-529-2303 - Howard County Soil and Water Conservation District
Based at 1103 S Goyer Rd in Kokomo, this Howard County district office supports farmers and homeowners with conservation practices that protect soil and water.
1103 S Goyer Rd, Kokomo, IN 46902 | 765-457-2114 - Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District
Jackson County's soil and water conservation district keeps its office at 1350 Woodside Dr in Brownstown, serving local landowners on erosion control, drainage and conservation planning.
1350 Woodside Dr, Brownstown, IN 47220 | 812-358-2367 - Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District
Landowners in Jasper County can reach the soil and water conservation district at 211 E Drexel Parkway, Rensselaer, for conservation planning and cost-share program help.
211 E Drexel Parkway, Rensselaer, IN 47978 | 219-866-8008 - Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District
Madison district office open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. offering plant sales, plat books, drill rental and watershed programs for Indian-Kentuck and Muscatatuck creeks.
3767 W State Road 256, Madison, IN 47250 | 812-265-7609 Website - Jennings County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Jennings County Soil and Water Conservation District operates from 2600 N State Hwy 7 in North Vernon and works with farmers and residents on soil health and water quality.
2600 N State Hwy 7, North Vernon, IN 47265 | 812-346-3411 - Johnson County Soil and Water Conservation District
Franklin is home to the Johnson County soil and water conservation district office (550 E Jefferson St, Suite 202), a local contact for cover crops, erosion control and land stewardship.
550 E Jefferson St, Suite 202, Franklin, IN 46131 | 317-736-9540 - Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District
Based at 217 E Bell Dr in Warsaw, this Kosciusko County district office supports farmers and homeowners with conservation practices that protect soil and water.
217 E Bell Dr, Warsaw, IN 46582 | 574-267-7445 - Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District
Lake County's soil and water conservation district keeps its office at 2291 North Main Street in Crown Point, serving local landowners on erosion control, drainage and conservation planning.
2291 North Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307 | 219-663-4072
Plus 29 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Indiana directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.