How Louisiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts Work
Louisiana's soil and water conservation districts are local units of state government that help landowners plan and carry out conservation work on their land. They are run by supervisors who are landowners or farm operators in the district, supported by a state commission and office in Baton Rouge, and assisted by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. If you farm, ranch, manage timber or own acreage in Louisiana, your district is a local place to ask for planning help. This guide covers what the state and the districts have published; where a detail is not published, it says so.
44 Districts
According to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), Louisiana has 44 Soil and Water Conservation Districts. They are established at the request of resident landowners within the proposed district. Districts named in state and LACD materials include Calcasieu, Dugdemona, Lower Delta, Lafourche-Terrebonne, Tangipahoa-St. Helena and St. Martin. LDAF provides a "Find your district and contact" link on that page that opens a PDF map of the districts and their contacts, which is the surest way to learn which district covers your land.
The Board of Supervisors
LDAF says each district is governed by a board of five supervisors: three elected locally and two appointed by the state Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Supervisors must be landowners or farm operators within the district. The LDAF page does not list term lengths or election dates, so ask your district office or the state office for current details.
April 2026 Commission minutes show supervisors are held to a board meeting attendance requirement, which the Commission can waive to keep a supervisor eligible for re-election. They also show the Commission appointing supervisors to terms of several years, and that the Office of Soil and Water Conservation was exploring online training that supervisors must complete and pass a test on to renew their certification.
What Districts Do
- Conservation planning: districts provide planning services to landowners in the district.
- On-site work: at a landowner's request, a district can enter private property to plan or construct conservation systems.
- Staff: each district typically hires two or more employees for planning, office administration, program administration and conservation education.
- Partnership: the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service assists each district.
LDAF does not list specific cost share programs or payment limits on the district page. Ask your district what financial help is open before you plan a project.
The State Commission and Office
The Soil and Water Conservation Commission was created by the Legislature in 1938 under Act 370. It has eight members:
- Three who serve by virtue of office: the Chancellor of the LSU Agricultural Center, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, and the President of the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts.
- Five district supervisors elected by fellow supervisors, one from each of five State Commission Areas.
The Commission guides state conservation policy, makes supervisor appointments, helps conduct district elections, directs the legal process for forming or discontinuing districts, disburses funds to districts and reviews their spending, and serves as the official state entity cooperating with NRCS. LDAF says regular meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:15 p.m. at the LDAF Veterans Auditorium, 5825 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, though some listed 2026 dates fall on other days, so check the agenda before you go. The Office of Soil and Water Conservation provides financial assistance, administrative support and coordination to the districts.
How Districts Are Funded
LDAF says districts are funded by the State Legislature and by self-generated income.
The Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts
Supervisors and district employees also belong to the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts (LACD). Its 77th annual meeting, held January 11 to 13, 2023, in Baton Rouge under the theme "Healthy Soils: The Key to the Future," drew over 200 supervisors, employees, partners and sponsors, according to an LDAF news article. Its program included updates on the Waters of the United States rule, carbon sequestration initiatives and the Louisiana Watersheds Initiative, and a Project WET/PLT/WOW workshop with more than 100 lesson plans for K-12 educators. The 2026 meeting also hosted the ceremony for the Louisiana Master Farmer Program, per an AgCenter article, which noted that Mark Simon of the St. Martin Soil and Water Conservation District accepted certificates for graduates.
Practical Tips
- Use the LDAF district map to find your district before calling.
- Bring a map or aerial photo of your property and describe the problem: erosion, ditch, pond, pasture or water quality.
- Ask what cost share or technical help is available now, and who in NRCS will work with the district.
- If you want to serve as a supervisor, ask your district about election timing and the attendance and training requirements.
- For general questions, LDAF lists 1-866-927-2476 or (225) 922-1234.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many districts does Louisiana have?
44, per LDAF.
How many supervisors sit on a board?
Five: three elected locally and two appointed by the Commission.
Who can be a supervisor?
Landowners or farm operators within the district.
Who oversees the districts?
The state Soil and Water Conservation Commission, with the Office of Soil and Water Conservation in Baton Rouge.
Louisiana Listings Covered by This Guide
- Acadia Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district based in Crowley serving the rice and crawfish farmland of Acadia Parish with soil and water conservation assistance.
Crowley, LA - Allen Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office at 309 North First Street, Suite 1 in Oberlin that gives landowners local help with soil, water and drainage practices; contact 337-639-4850, Ext. 3.
309 North First Street, Suite 1, Oberlin, LA 70655 | 337-639-4850, Ext. 3 - Avoyelles Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office at 629 Tunica Dr. West, Suite 4 in Marksville that gives landowners local help with soil, water and drainage practices; contact 318-253-9235, Ext. 3.
629 Tunica Dr. West, Suite 4, Marksville, LA 71351 | 318-253-9235, Ext. 3 - Bodcau Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district based in Bossier City covering the Bodcau area with soil, water and drainage conservation assistance for landowners.
Bossier City, LA - Boeuf River Soil and Water Conservation District
Rayville-based Boeuf River district, the local conservation planning contact for landowners and farmers around Richland Parish.
Rayville, LA Website - Bogue Chitto-Pearl River Soil and Water Conservation District
Franklinton conservation district working with landowners in the Washington Parish area.
Franklinton, LA - Caddo Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office at 1402 Hawn Avenue in Shreveport that gives landowners local help with soil, water and drainage practices; contact 318-676-3333, Ext 3.
1402 Hawn Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71107 | 318-676-3333, Ext 3 - Calcasieu Soil and Water Conservation District
Organized in 1939 and serving Beauregard and Vernon parishes; its volunteer board meets the third Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m.
Leesville, LA - Capital Soil and Water Conservation District
Denham Springs office of the Capital soil and water conservation district, giving Livingston Parish landowners conservation planning contacts.
Denham Springs, LA Website - Catahoula Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district based in Jonesville that supports Catahoula Parish landowners with soil and water conservation planning.
Jonesville, LA - De Soto Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office at 405 Polk St, Ste D in Mansfield that gives landowners local help with soil, water and drainage practices; contact 318-872-4949, Ext. 3.
405 Polk St, Ste D, Mansfield, LA 71052 | 318-872-4949, Ext. 3 - Dugdemona Soil and Water Conservation District
Winnfield conservation district serving Winn Parish landowners.
Winnfield, LA - East Carroll Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office at 406 Lake Street, Suite C in Lake Providence that gives landowners local help with soil, water and drainage practices; contact 318-559-2640, Ext. 3.
406 Lake Street, Suite C, Lake Providence, LA 71254 | 318-559-2640, Ext. 3 - Evangeline Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district based in Ville Platte offering soil and water conservation help to Evangeline Parish farmers and landowners.
Ville Platte, LA - Feliciana Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district based in Clinton serving the Felicianas with soil and water conservation programs for local landowners.
Clinton, LA - Grant Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office at 130 2nd St in Colfax that gives landowners local help with soil, water and drainage practices; contact 318-627-9903.
130 2nd St, Colfax, LA 71417 | 318-627-9903 - Iberia Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district headquartered in New Iberia that serves Iberia Parish landowners and farmers, one of the local units in the statewide network of soil and water districts.
New Iberia, LA Website - Jefferson Davis Soil and Water Conservation District
Soil and water conservation district based in Jennings, helping rice and cattle landowners in Jefferson Davis Parish plan conservation practices through the state district system.
Jennings, LA Website - Lafayette Soil and Water Conservation District
Lafayette-based soil and water conservation district providing a local point of contact for Lafayette Parish landowners seeking conservation planning help.
Lafayette, LA Website - LaSalle Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district seated in Jena that supports LaSalle Parish farmland and timber owners with soil and water planning assistance.
Jena, LA Website - Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts
Statewide association that represents Louisiana soil and water conservation districts and links them to state and national conservation partners.
LA Website - Louisiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Network of 44 soil and water conservation districts overseen by the state Office of Soil and Water Conservation, helping landowners with erosion and water quality practices.
5825 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 | (225) 922-1234 - Madison Soil and Water Conservation District
Tallulah-based soil and water conservation district working with delta row-crop landowners in Madison Parish on conservation plans.
Tallulah, LA Website - Morehouse Soil and Water Conservation District
Bastrop conservation district giving Morehouse Parish farmers and landowners access to conservation planning through the state soil and water network.
Bastrop, LA Website - Natchitoches Soil and Water Conservation District
Natchitoches soil and water conservation district serving cattle, timber and row-crop landowners in Natchitoches Parish with local conservation help.
Natchitoches, LA Website - Plaquemines Soil and Water Conservation District
Belle Chasse district assisting Plaquemines Parish citrus growers, cattle producers and landowners with soil, water and coastal conservation planning.
Belle Chasse, LA Website - Rapides Soil and Water Conservation District
Five-supervisor district giving Rapides landowners conservation planning, assisted by USDA NRCS, and able to enter private land at the owner request to plan or build conservation systems.
3734 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302 | 318-473-7856 ext 3 Website - Red River Soil and Water Conservation District
Coushatta-based conservation district offering Red River Parish landowners a local route to conservation planning and technical assistance.
Coushatta, LA Website - Sabine Soil and Water Conservation District
Soil and water conservation district in Many, serving Sabine Parish timber and pasture landowners with local conservation guidance.
Many, LA Website - St. Landry Soil and Water Conservation District
Opelousas district helping St. Landry Parish farmers with conservation planning.
Opelousas, LA - St. Martin Soil and Water Conservation District
Breaux Bridge district serving St. Martin Parish landowners.
Breaux Bridge, LA - St. Mary Soil and Water Conservation District
Franklin district serving sugarcane farmers and landowners in St. Mary Parish.
Franklin, LA - Tangipahoa-St. Helena Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district based in Amite serving Tangipahoa and St. Helena parishes.
Amite, LA - Tensas-Concordia Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district office at 8331 Highway 84 in Ferriday that gives landowners local help with soil, water and drainage practices; contact 318-757-2455, Ext. 3.
8331 Highway 84, Ferriday, LA 71334 | 318-757-2455, Ext. 3 - Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District
Houma district responsible for levee and conservation work in Terrebonne Parish.
Houma, LA - Upper Delta Soil and Water Conservation District
New Roads conservation district whose base is in Pointe Coupee Parish, helping local landowners with conservation planning in the Upper Delta area.
New Roads, LA Website - Vermilion Soil and Water Conservation District
Abbeville district supporting rice, sugarcane and cattle landowners in Vermilion Parish.
Abbeville, LA
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.