What a Kansas Conservation District Is
Kansas has 105 conservation districts, one in each county. Each is a political subdivision of the state and the main local unit of government for conserving soil, water and related natural resources. Districts work on erosion and sediment control, water quality and quantity, range and pasture management and wildlife habitat. They are funded by county and state allocations and, in some cases, by selling goods and services. Districts are non-regulatory: they offer programs and help, not enforcement.
The Kansas Legislature passed the Conservation District Law in 1937 after the Dust Bowl, the first district formed in 1938 in Labette County, and the last formed in 1954 in Shawnee County.
What Your District Does for Landowners
- Runs state cost-share programs. Districts administer the state programs that help landowners pay for conservation practices, and they work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other agencies.
- Helps with planning. The Clay County Conservation District says planning starts with your goals and the land's capability and resource concerns, and that district or NRCS staff can point you to the best funding source for a given practice.
- Educates. Districts teach landowners, schools and the public.
- Sells and rents equipment. Some districts sell items such as grass seed and trees, and many rent grass drills, tree planters and no-till seeders.
Who Runs a District
Each district is governed by five elected local citizens called supervisors. They set local priorities and policy and run programs at monthly board meetings. Supervisors are unpaid and hire employees to handle day-to-day operations. Statewide there are 525 volunteer supervisors and 103 district managers.
Each district holds an annual meeting in January or February, and supervisor seats carry three-year terms filled by election. Any qualified county elector may vote. The Sedgwick County district, for example, says its annual meeting is required by law, gives a public financial statement and accounting of the year, and includes elections. Its monthly board meetings are open to the public. Ask your own district about its schedule.
The State Conservation Commission
The State Conservation Commission is the board that reviews the Division of Conservation's programs at the Kansas Department of Agriculture. According to the Division of Conservation, it has nine members, five elected and four appointed. Most Division of Conservation programs are funded through dedicated sources in the Kansas Water Plan, and program funds go to each conservation district on July 1, the start of the state fiscal year.
State Cost-Share Programs
The Division of Conservation runs four voluntary cost-share programs, all of which help eligible landowners pay for practices that reduce soil erosion, improve water quality or conserve water:
- Water Resources Cost-Share Program. Incentives for practices that reduce soil erosion, protect or improve water quality and reduce water use. The Clay County page lists cropland terraces, waterways and grade stabilization structures, grass seeding and windbreaks, and pasture practices such as cross fencing and water supply development (ponds, spring development and wells).
- Non-Point Source Pollution Control Program. Funds practices such as household wastewater systems, plugging abandoned water wells and livestock waste systems.
- Riparian and Wetland Protection Program. Protects, enhances and restores riparian areas and wetlands.
- Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Initiative. According to the FY 2026 Conservation District Supervisor Handbook, the Kansas Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Initiative pays one-time incentives of $225 per acre in Tier 1 areas and $162.50 per acre in Tier 2 areas, targeted to parts of 29 mostly northeastern counties.
Practice categories covered include cropland, home and farmstead, irrigation, pasture and hayland, and stream and riparian work. Some years add extra funding for specific needs. For the 2024 state fiscal year, the department announced additional funding for irrigation water management, nutrient management, cover crops, livestock water supplies, cross fencing and abandoned well plugging.
Rates and Limits
Exact rates are set by program year and by your district, so confirm them locally. An older Division of Conservation programs manual (FY 2016-2017) gives a sense of how the programs were built: most practices were capped at 70 percent of the county average cost, grass reseeding at 50 percent, payment could not exceed 100 percent of your actual cost, and the project and landowner limits were generally $10,000. Treat those as historical figures and ask your district what applies this year. That manual also says practices under contract must be maintained for 10 years, so ask about maintenance before you sign.
How to Apply
- Call your district office first. Applications go through your local district, not directly to the state, and the district can confirm eligibility and help with the paperwork.
- Do not start work yet. Projects started or completed before approval are not eligible for funding.
- Watch for sign-up. The older manual says the district board sets an annual local program and holds at least one publicized sign-up period. Ask your district when it is.
- Get ranked and approved. Per that manual, the district ranks requests, its board approves contracts, and the Division of Conservation approves them as well. Approved applicants are told which practices were approved and an estimated cost-share amount.
- Install, then get paid. After installation, you submit invoices and the work is verified before payment is made.
Many producers pair state dollars with federal help. The Clay County page describes the federal Conservation Reserve Program, which pays cost-share and annual rent for converting cropland to permanent cover, and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which helps with practices such as nutrient management, no-till, brush control and grazing management. NRCS staff can explain those.
Find Your District
Because every county has a district, you can start with your county name. The Kansas Department of Agriculture keeps a conservation districts page that links to the Kansas Conservation Districts Directory and to individual district websites. For questions the district cannot answer, the Division of Conservation lists 785-564-6620 in the supervisor handbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do conservation districts regulate my land?
No. Supervisors run non-regulatory programs, meaning voluntary help for landowners.
Can I get paid for work I already finished?
Generally not. Projects started or completed before approval are not eligible, so apply first.
Who pays for the program?
Most Division of Conservation programs are funded through the Kansas Water Plan, and the money reaches districts each July 1.
Can I serve on a district board?
Supervisors are elected locally at the annual meeting for three-year terms, and any qualified county elector may vote. Ask your district about candidate requirements.
Kansas Listings Covered by This Guide
- Allen County Conservation District
The Allen County Conservation District, headquartered in Iola, helps landowners with soil and water conservation, cost-share practices and local natural resource planning.
202 West Miller Road, Iola, KS | 620-365-2901 - Anderson County Conservation District
Landowners in Anderson County can contact the conservation district office at 111 North Maple in Garnett for help with erosion control, water quality and cost-share conservation projects.
111 North Maple, Garnett, KS | 785-448-6323 - Atchison County Conservation District
Run by locally elected supervisors, the Atchison County Conservation District works from Effingham to promote soil, water and rangeland stewardship on farms and ranches.
605 Sixth Street, Effingham, KS | 913-833-5740 - Barber County Conservation District
At 800 West Third Avenue in Medicine Lodge, the Barber County Conservation District supports producers with conservation planning, tree and grass programs and local education.
800 West Third Avenue, Medicine Lodge, KS | 620-886-5311 - Barton County Conservation District
The Barton County Conservation District, headquartered in Great Bend, helps landowners with soil and water conservation, cost-share practices and local natural resource planning.
926 Patton Road, Great Bend, KS | 620-792-3346 - Bourbon County Conservation District
Landowners in Bourbon County can contact the conservation district office at 1515 South Judson Street, Suite B in Fort Scott for help with erosion control, water quality and cost-share conservation projects.
1515 South Judson Street, Suite B, Fort Scott, KS | 620-223-3170 - Brown County Conservation District
Run by locally elected supervisors, the Brown County Conservation District works from Hiawatha to promote soil, water and rangeland stewardship on farms and ranches.
1310 Oregon Street, Hiawatha, KS | 785-742-3161 - Butler County Conservation District
At 2503 Enterprise Street, Suite B in El Dorado, the Butler County Conservation District supports producers with conservation planning, tree and grass programs and local education.
2503 Enterprise Street, Suite B, El Dorado, KS | 316-320-3549 - Chase County Conservation District
Run by locally elected supervisors, the Chase County Conservation District works from Emporia to promote soil, water and rangeland stewardship on farms and ranches.
3020 West 18th Avenue, Suite A, Emporia, KS | 620-343-2813 - Chautauqua County Conservation District
At 131 N. Wabash in Howard, the Chautauqua County Conservation District supports producers with conservation planning, tree and grass programs and local education.
131 N. Wabash, Howard, KS | 620-374-2511 - Cheyenne County Conservation District
Landowners in Cheyenne County can contact the conservation district office at 614B W Business US Hwy 36 in St Francis for help with erosion control, water quality and cost-share conservation projects.
614B W Business US Hwy 36, St Francis, KS | 785-332-2341 - Clark County Conservation District
Run by locally elected supervisors, the Clark County Conservation District works from Ashland to promote soil, water and rangeland stewardship on farms and ranches.
411 Main Street, Ashland, KS | 620-635-2843 - Clay County Conservation District
At 921 W. Crawford in Clay Center, the Clay County Conservation District supports producers with conservation planning, tree and grass programs and local education.
921 W. Crawford, Clay Center, KS | 785-632-3550 - Cloud County Conservation District
The Cloud County Conservation District, headquartered in Concordia, helps landowners with soil and water conservation, cost-share practices and local natural resource planning.
1501 East 7th Street, Suite B, Concordia, KS | 785-243-1509 - Coffey County Conservation District
Landowners in Coffey County can contact the conservation district office at 313 Cross Street, Suite B in Burlington for help with erosion control, water quality and cost-share conservation projects.
313 Cross Street, Suite B, Burlington, KS | 620-364-2182 - Cowley County Conservation District
At 2118 East 9th Street, Suite B in Winfield, the Cowley County Conservation District supports producers with conservation planning, tree and grass programs and local education.
2118 East 9th Street, Suite B, Winfield, KS | 620-221-1850 - Crawford County Conservation District
The Crawford County Conservation District, headquartered in Girard, helps landowners with soil and water conservation, cost-share practices and local natural resource planning.
207 South Summit, Girard, KS | 620-724-8231 - Decatur County Conservation District
Landowners in Decatur County can contact the conservation district office at 410 South Buffalo Street in Oberlin for help with erosion control, water quality and cost-share conservation projects.
410 South Buffalo Street, Oberlin, KS | 785-475-3131 - Dickinson County Conservation District
Run by locally elected supervisors, the Dickinson County Conservation District works from Abilene to promote soil, water and rangeland stewardship on farms and ranches.
328 NE 14th Street, Abilene, KS | 785-263-2787 - Doniphan County Conservation District
At 510 East Locust Street in Troy, the Doniphan County Conservation District supports producers with conservation planning, tree and grass programs and local education.
510 East Locust Street, Troy, KS | 785-985-2221 - Douglas County Conservation District
The Douglas County Conservation District, headquartered in Lawrence, helps landowners with soil and water conservation, cost-share practices and local natural resource planning.
4920 Bob Billings Pkwy, Suite A, Lawrence, KS | 785-843-4260 - Edwards County Conservation District
Landowners in Edwards County can contact the conservation district office at 120 East 7th Street in Kinsley for help with erosion control, water quality and cost-share conservation projects.
120 East 7th Street, Kinsley, KS | 620-659-3142 - Elk County Conservation District
Run by locally elected supervisors, the Elk County Conservation District works from Howard to promote soil, water and rangeland stewardship on farms and ranches.
131 North Wabash Street, Howard, KS | 620-374-2511 - Ellsworth County Conservation District
The Ellsworth County Conservation District, headquartered in Ellsworth, helps landowners with soil and water conservation, cost-share practices and local natural resource planning.
402 West 15th Street, Ellsworth, KS | 785-472-4999 - Finney County Conservation District
Landowners in Finney County can contact the conservation district office at 2106 East Spruce Street in Garden City for help with erosion control, water quality and cost-share conservation projects.
2106 East Spruce Street, Garden City, KS | 620-275-0211 - Ford County Conservation District
Run by locally elected supervisors, the Ford County Conservation District works from Dodge City to promote soil, water and rangeland stewardship on farms and ranches.
104 Soule Street, Dodge City, KS | 620-227-3731 - Franklin County Conservation District
At 343 West 23rd Street, Suite 2 in Ottawa, the Franklin County Conservation District supports producers with conservation planning, tree and grass programs and local education.
343 West 23rd Street, Suite 2, Ottawa, KS | 785-241-7201 - Geary County Conservation District
The Geary County Conservation District, headquartered in Junction City, helps landowners with soil and water conservation, cost-share practices and local natural resource planning.
135 E 8th Street, Junction City, KS | 785-238-4251 - Gove County Conservation District
Landowners in Gove County can contact the conservation district office at 318 Broad Street in Gove for help with erosion control, water quality and cost-share conservation projects.
318 Broad Street, Gove, KS | 785-938-2365 - Graham County Conservation District
Run by locally elected supervisors, the Graham County Conservation District works from Hill City to promote soil, water and rangeland stewardship on farms and ranches.
100 North 12th Avenue, Hill City, KS | 785-421-2115 - Gray County Conservation District
The Gray County Conservation District, headquartered in Cimarron, helps landowners with soil and water conservation, cost-share practices and local natural resource planning.
909 East Avenue A, Cimarron, KS | 620-855-2572 - Greeley County Conservation District
Landowners in Greeley County can contact the conservation district office at 127 East Greeley Street in Tribune for help with erosion control, water quality and cost-share conservation projects.
127 East Greeley Street, Tribune, KS | 620-376-4332 - Greenwood County Conservation District
Run by locally elected supervisors, the Greenwood County Conservation District works from Eureka to promote soil, water and rangeland stewardship on farms and ranches.
1819 East River Street, Eureka, KS | 620-583-6461 - Hamilton County Conservation District
At 207 North Barton Street in Syracuse, the Hamilton County Conservation District supports producers with conservation planning, tree and grass programs and local education.
207 North Barton Street, Syracuse, KS | 620-384-6955 - Harvey County Conservation District
Landowners in Harvey County can contact the conservation district office at 1405 South Spencer Road in Newton for help with erosion control, water quality and cost-share conservation projects.
1405 South Spencer Road, Newton, KS | 316-283-0370 - Hodgeman County Conservation District
At 321 Main Street in Jetmore, the Hodgeman County Conservation District supports producers with conservation planning, tree and grass programs and local education.
321 Main Street, Jetmore, KS | 620-357-8334 - Jewell County Conservation District
Run by locally elected supervisors, the Jewell County Conservation District works from Mankato to promote soil, water and rangeland stewardship on farms and ranches.
105 West South, Suite 2, Mankato, KS | 785-378-3961 - Johnson County Conservation District
At 11811 S Sunset Drive, Suite 1500 in Olathe, the Johnson County Conservation District supports producers with conservation planning, tree and grass programs and local education.
11811 S Sunset Drive, Suite 1500, Olathe, KS | 913-715-7022 - Kearny County Conservation District
The Kearny County Conservation District, headquartered in Lakin, helps landowners with soil and water conservation, cost-share practices and local natural resource planning.
212 W Santa Fe Trail Blvd, Lakin, KS | 620-355-7511 - Kingman County Conservation District
Landowners in Kingman County can contact the conservation district office at 1137 East US Highway 54 in Kingman for help with erosion control, water quality and cost-share conservation projects.
1137 East US Highway 54, Kingman, KS | 620-532-5731
Plus 50 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Kansas directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.