What Soil Conservation Districts Are
North Dakota's soil conservation districts (SCDs) are local political subdivisions that work with federal, state and local agencies on soil and water conservation. According to NDSU's page on soil conservation districts, the state has 54 districts, with at least one in each county, grouped into five areas numbered I through V. A state guide on soil conservation districts says they were created under the state's Soil Conservation Districts Law, enacted in 1937, and are organized by voters in each district. They are one part of a partnership of federal, state and local agencies that protects natural resources.
What Districts Do
Per the NDSU page, districts:
- carry out farm, ranch and forestland conservation practices that protect soil, water, air and wildlife habitat;
- conserve and restore wetlands and protect groundwater;
- help communities and homeowners plant trees and other ground cover;
- help developers control erosion during construction; and
- teach communities and schools about natural resources.
The state guide adds technical assistance, plan reviews and conservation planning for landowners and operators, demonstration projects, building and maintaining erosion control structures, and education such as tours, newsletters and meetings. Districts may also make machinery, equipment, seed and seedlings available. Which of those a given district offers is a local decision, so call before you assume a tool or tree program exists in your county.
Trees and Windbreaks
Districts are a main route for conservation tree plantings. A grant proposal to the Outdoor Heritage Fund for the ND Statewide Tree Planting Initiative, submitted by the North Dakota Conservation District Employees Association, describes how the program was designed to work. It covers farmstead, feedlot and field windbreaks, wildlife and riparian plantings, buffers and living snow fences, and is meant to serve landowners who do not qualify for other cost share. District staff write the tree plan, submit applications and producer contracts, and certify that practices were installed.
As described in that proposal, the landowner covers 25 percent of the planting cost and signs a 10-year operations and maintenance agreement that prohibits burning, grazing and destructive tree removal. Applications were due in July and August for planting the following year, with planting in May and June. It was a grant proposal, so confirm with your district whether a cost-share round is open now and what the terms are.
How Districts Are Governed
Each district has an elected board of supervisors. Supervisors serve six-year terms on nonpartisan ballots, and candidates file petitions with the county auditor. The board can appoint two additional supervisors to one-year terms. A district manager handles administration and a district technician provides technical support. The State Soil Conservation Committee oversees districts, and supervisors must complete required training.
The state guide says supervisors set policy, approve budgets and bills, hire and support employees, hold monthly meetings, keep records and follow open meeting rules. Officers are elected at the January meeting. Pay is up to $62.50 per meeting plus travel and subsistence from district funds. Meetings are public, so any landowner can attend and ask questions.
Funding
The NDSU page says funding comes partly from state appropriations for staff salaries and from a local levy of up to 2.5 mills. The state guide adds that the State Soil Conservation Committee approves the salary allocations and that NDSU Extension handles reimbursement. Districts may also receive gifts and donations. They are audited every two years by the State Auditor, a CPA or a licensed public accountant, although districts with under $300,000 in annual receipts may instead file an annual financial report due to the State Auditor by June 1. Annual reorganization forms and equipment inventories are due March 1.
Finding Your District
NDSU's page lists the counties in each of the five areas. There is no single lookup tool on that page, so find your county on the list and then contact the district for that county. Questions about nominating petitions and ballots go to your county auditor's office. The North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts maintains a website at ndascd.org/wp/, as mentioned in a 2017 Western Producer opinion piece, and the association's stated aim is to further the application of sound and practical soil and water conservation practices.
Who Should Call Their District
- Farmers and ranchers planning conservation practices, erosion control or planting.
- Homeowners and communities who want trees or ground cover.
- Developers who need construction erosion control.
- Teachers and 4-H and FFA leaders who want natural resource education for students.
- Landowners who want to run for supervisor.
Conservation and Youth Programs
Because districts educate schools and communities about natural resources, they are a natural partner for FFA chapters and 4-H clubs, especially for events such as land judging and range judging. The 2025-26 ND FFA calendar lists State Land Judging in Carrington and State Range Judging in Glen Ullin in 2025, and the 2026-27 calendar lists Land Judging in Killdeer on July 30, 2026 and Range Judging in Carrington on September 17, 2026. Ask your district whether it supports local contests or classroom visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many districts does North Dakota have?
NDSU says 54, with at least one in each county.
Are districts regulators?
They are local political subdivisions that carry out conservation work with landowners. Their listed work centers on technical help, planning and education.
Can I buy trees from my district?
NDSU says districts help with tree planting and may make seedlings available. Offerings vary, so call.
How do I run for supervisor?
Supervisors are elected to six-year terms on nonpartisan ballots. Candidates file petitions with the county auditor.
Your soil conservation district is a local, elected, publicly funded resource. Find your county, call the district, and ask what is on offer.
North Dakota Listings Covered by This Guide
- Adams County Soil Conservation District
Adams County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Hettinger, ND, in Area V of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Hettinger, ND - Barnes County Soil Conservation District
Barnes County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Valley City, ND, in Area II of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Valley City, ND - Bowman-Slope Soil Conservation District
Bowman-Slope Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Bowman, ND, in Area V of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Bowman, ND - Burke County Soil Conservation District
Burke County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Bowbells, ND, in Area III of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Bowbells, ND - Burleigh County Soil Conservation District
Burleigh County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Bismarck, ND, in Area IV of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Bismarck, ND - Cass County Soil Conservation District
Cass County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Fargo, ND, in Area II of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Fargo, ND - Cavalier County Soil Conservation District
Cavalier County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Langdon, ND, in Area I of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Langdon, ND - Cedar Soil Conservation District
Cedar Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Fort Yates, ND, in Area IV of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Fort Yates, ND - Central Stark Soil Conservation District
Central Stark Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Dickinson, ND, in Area V of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Dickinson, ND - Divide County Soil Conservation District
Divide County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Crosby, ND, in Area III of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Crosby, ND - Dunn County Soil Conservation District
Dunn County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Killdeer, ND, in Area V of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Killdeer, ND - Eddy County Soil Conservation District
Eddy County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in New Rockford, ND, in Area I of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
New Rockford, ND - Emmons County Soil Conservation District
Emmons County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Linton, ND, in Area IV of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Linton, ND - Foster County Soil Conservation District
Foster County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Carrington, ND, in Area I of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Carrington, ND - Golden Valley County Soil Conservation District
Golden Valley County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Beach, ND, in Area V of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Beach, ND - Grand Forks County Soil Conservation District
Grand Forks County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Grand Forks, ND, in Area I of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Grand Forks, ND - Grant County Soil Conservation District
Grant County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Carson, ND, in Area V of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Carson, ND - Griggs County Soil Conservation District
Griggs County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Cooperstown, ND, in Area II of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Cooperstown, ND - James River Soil Conservation District
James River Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Ellendale, ND, in Area II of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Ellendale, ND - Kidder County Soil Conservation District
Kidder County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Steele, ND, in Area IV of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Steele, ND - LaMoure County Soil Conservation District
LaMoure County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in LaMoure, ND, in Area II of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
LaMoure, ND - Logan County Soil Conservation District
Logan County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Napoleon, ND, in Area IV of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Napoleon, ND - McIntosh County Soil Conservation District
McIntosh County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Ashley, ND, in Area IV of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Ashley, ND - McKenzie County Soil Conservation District
McKenzie County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Watford City, ND, in Area V of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Watford City, ND - Mercer County Soil Conservation District
Mercer County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Beulah, ND, in Area V of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Beulah, ND - Morton County Soil Conservation District
Morton County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Mandan, ND, in Area IV of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Mandan, ND - Mountrail County Soil Conservation District
Mountrail County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Stanley, ND, in Area III of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Stanley, ND - Mouse River Soil Conservation District
Mouse River Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Westhope, ND, in Area III of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Westhope, ND - Nelson County Soil Conservation District
Nelson County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Lakota, ND, in Area I of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Lakota, ND - North Central Soil Conservation District
North Central Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Minnewaukan, ND, in Area I of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Minnewaukan, ND - North McHenry Soil Conservation District
North McHenry Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Towner, ND, in Area III of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Towner, ND - Oliver County Soil Conservation District
Oliver County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Center, ND, in Area IV of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Center, ND - Pembina County Soil Conservation District
Pembina County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Cavalier, ND, in Area I of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Cavalier, ND - Pierce County Soil Conservation District
Pierce County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Rugby, ND, in Area III of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Rugby, ND - Ramsey County Soil Conservation District
Ramsey County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Devils Lake, ND, in Area I of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Devils Lake, ND - Ransom County Soil Conservation District
Ransom County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Lisbon, ND, in Area II of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Lisbon, ND - Renville County Soil Conservation District
Renville County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Mohall, ND, in Area III of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Mohall, ND - Richland County Soil Conservation District
Richland County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Wahpeton, ND, in Area II of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Wahpeton, ND - Rolette County Soil Conservation District
Rolette County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in Rolla, ND, in Area III of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
Rolla, ND - Sheridan County Soil Conservation District
Sheridan County Soil Conservation District is a local conservation district based in McClusky, ND, in Area IV of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, working on soil health, erosion control and water conservation with landowners.
McClusky, ND
Plus 15 more. Find yours on your county's page in the North Dakota directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.