How Tennessee Conservation Districts Work
Tennessee's soil and water conservation districts are local, county-level boards that help landowners control erosion and protect streams. They are run by supervisors from your own community and supported by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, the state Soil and Water Conservation Commission and federal partners. The details below come from state and district sources and change by year, so check with your district before you plan a project.
How Many Districts and Who Runs Them
The Tennessee Farm Bureau election guide says there are 95 district boards in Tennessee, each with a five-member board of local leaders called supervisors. The state commission page explains the split: the Tennessee Soil and Water Conservation Commission appoints two supervisors to each district board and sets up the local election of the other three. The commission is appointed by the Governor to three-year terms, includes a farmer and a district supervisor from each grand division (East, Middle and West) plus a member at large, and meets four times a year under the state's public notice requirements. The Commissioner of Agriculture sits on it as an ex-officio member.
Running for Supervisor
- Supervisors can serve up to three terms, and each term runs April 1 to March 31.
- Elections are staggered on a three-year cycle.
- A candidate needs 25 district landowner signatures on a nominating petition, submitted by the stated deadline.
- The candidate's primary residence must be within the district, per Tennessee Code section 43-14-214.
Anyone whose name is on the deed or title to land in the district counts as a landowner who may sign a petition or vote. According to the Farm Bureau guide, there is no minimum acreage. The commission supplies nomination, petition, ballot and results forms to districts.
What Districts Do for Landowners
Take Sullivan County's district as an example. Its brochure lists technical assistance (conservation planning, soil testing, mapping and help installing practices), cost-share programs and classroom education, scholarships and contests. The practices it names include:
- Cover crops and filter strips
- Exclusion fencing and stream buffers
- Grassed waterways and grade stabilization structures
- Heavy-use areas and watering facilities
- Prescribed grazing systems and water and sediment control basins
The district office shares a USDA Service Center in Blountville with federal partners, and says it delivered more than $555,000 in direct benefits to landowners and operations in fiscal year 2025. Districts also point landowners to federal NRCS programs such as EQIP and CSP.
The Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund
The state's main cost-share source is the Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund, which helps landowners install best management practices that reduce agricultural water pollution. Districts facilitate it, and applicants are encouraged to apply on a watershed basis, with emphasis on streams on the state's impaired waters list where agriculture is the cause.
The department's FY2025 guidance explains how payments work:
- Payments follow the federal EQIP standard rate for each practice, with a 1.15 multiplier for high-priority practices such as livestock exclusion fence, riparian buffers, grassed waterways and terraces.
- A 1.05 multiplier applies in designated distressed counties, and the multipliers add together.
- Each district board may set an annual per-cooperator cap, and the department recommends at least $15,000.
- Cover crops are limited to $30 an acre for two or more species or $50 an acre for the NRCS soil health mix.
- Tile drainage, property boundary fencing and pond dredging are examples of ineligible practices.
Landowners must be approved and sign the application and agreement before starting work, or the state will not reimburse the project. Receipts or invoices are required for many practices, and a practice that is removed early means repaying a pro-rata share. Some practices require a site visit by the department's watershed coordinator first. This guidance covers fiscal year 2025, so ask your district for the current rules.
Which Practices Need a Site Visit
Under the FY2025 guidance, some practices can be funded without a pre-approval visit: riparian forest buffers, riparian herbaceous cover, cropland conversion, diversions, grade stabilization, grassed waterways, water and sediment control basins and terraces. Others need a visit or evaluation by the department's watershed coordinator first, including waste storage, composting, cover crops, heavy-use areas, fencing, ponds, wells, spring developments, watering facilities, livestock pipelines, streambank protection and stream crossings. Districts rank applications with the watershed coordinator and NRCS, with a recommended "worst watershed first" approach that works one small watershed at a time. The guidance lists Bledsoe, Clay, Cocke, Hancock, Hardeman, Lake, Perry and Scott as the fiscal year 2024 distressed counties, and suggests giving cooperators 60 days in writing to begin their project. A failed or destroyed practice can be re-funded once, if the landowner asks within six months of completion and the loss was an act of God rather than mismanagement.
Training and Support for Supervisors
The commission page lists supervisor training modules on elections and appointments, financial management and district history, along with a financial report template and a conservation equipment inventory report. Its Land and Water Stewardship menu also links to the Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund, the 319 nonpoint source grant program and the Tennessee Riparian Incentives Program. The page does not describe those last two, so ask your district or the Department of Agriculture what each one covers.
Getting Started
- Call your county district or the USDA Service Center and describe the problem: a washed-out bank, cattle in a creek, a gully.
- Ask what ARCF and NRCS funding is open and which practices rank highest this year.
- Do not start work until you hold a signed agreement.
- Keep receipts and photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many conservation districts does Tennessee have?
95 district boards, per the Tennessee Farm Bureau.
Are supervisors elected?
Three of the five are elected locally and two are appointed by the state commission.
Do I need a minimum acreage to vote?
No. Your name must appear on the deed or title to land in the district.
Can I get reimbursed for work I already did?
Not under the state guidance. Approval and a signed agreement must come before work starts.
Tennessee Listings Covered by This Guide
- Anderson County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Anderson County Soil and Water Conservation District serves landowners in Anderson County, Tennessee, from its office in Clinton. Phone 865-494-2343 x3; mailing or street address 2691 Andersonville Highway Suite 200.
2691 Andersonville Highway Suite 200, Clinton, TN | 865-494-2343 x3 - Bedford County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district for Bedford County, Tennessee, helping farmers with cost-share practices and erosion control. Office in Shelbyville at 2013 Midland Road; call 931-684-1441 x3.
2013 Midland Road, Shelbyville, TN | 931-684-1441 x3 - Benton County Soil and Water Conservation District
Camden is home to the Benton County Soil and Water Conservation District office (205 Highway 641 North), the local contact for Tennessee agricultural conservation programs. Phone 731-584-8186 x 3.
205 Highway 641 North, Camden, TN | 731-584-8186 x 3 - Bledsoe County Soil and Water Conservation District
Farmers and ranchers in Bledsoe County reach their local soil and water conservation district in Pikeville, Tennessee, at P.O. Box 125 or by phone at 423-447-2532 x3.
Pikeville, TN | 423-447-2532 x3 - Blount County Soil and Water Conservation District
Local conservation district that holds a tree and shrub sale and a grazing conference that is free for Blount County 4-H members.
Maryville, TN - Bradley County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Bradley County Soil and Water Conservation District serves landowners in Bradley County, Tennessee, from its office in Cleveland. Phone 423-472-5731 x 3; mailing or street address 450 Stuart Road NE.
450 Stuart Road NE, Cleveland, TN | 423-472-5731 x 3 - Campbell County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district for Campbell County, Tennessee, helping farmers with cost-share practices and erosion control. Office in Clinton at 2691 Andersonville Hwy Suite 200; call 865-494-2343.
2691 Andersonville Hwy Suite 200, Clinton, TN | 865-494-2343 - Cannon County Soil and Water Conservation District
Woodbury is home to the Cannon County Soil and Water Conservation District office (740 Old McMinnville Highway), the local contact for Tennessee agricultural conservation programs. Phone 615-563-4321.
740 Old McMinnville Highway, Woodbury, TN | 615-563-4321 - Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District
Farmers and ranchers in Carroll County reach their local soil and water conservation district in Huntingdon, Tennessee, at 630 High Street or by phone at 731-209-4153 x 3.
630 High Street, Huntingdon, TN | 731-209-4153 x 3 - Carter County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Carter County Soil and Water Conservation District serves landowners in Carter County, Tennessee, from its office in Elizabethton. Phone 423-707-3112 x 3; mailing or street address 256 Highway 91 Suite B.
256 Highway 91 Suite B, Elizabethton, TN | 423-707-3112 x 3 - Cheatham County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district for Cheatham County, Tennessee, helping farmers with cost-share practices and erosion control. Office in Ashland City at 1104 North Main Street; call 615-792-4421 x 3.
1104 North Main Street, Ashland City, TN | 615-792-4421 x 3 - Chester County Soil and Water Conservation District
Henderson is home to the Chester County Soil and Water Conservation District office (133 East Main Street), the local contact for Tennessee agricultural conservation programs. Phone 731-989-2783.
133 East Main Street, Henderson, TN | 731-989-2783 - Claiborne County Soil and Water Conservation District
Farmers and ranchers in Claiborne County reach their local soil and water conservation district in Tazewell, Tennessee, at 2178 Highway 25 East Suite 2 or by phone at 423-626-3811 x 3.
2178 Highway 25 East Suite 2, Tazewell, TN | 423-626-3811 x 3 - Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Clay County Soil and Water Conservation District serves landowners in Clay County, Tennessee, from its office in Celina. Phone 931-243-3321; mailing or street address 301 Green Street.
301 Green Street, Celina, TN | 931-243-3321 - Cocke County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district for Cocke County, Tennessee, helping farmers with cost-share practices and erosion control. Office in Newport at 249 West Broadway; call 423-623-8646 x 3.
249 West Broadway, Newport, TN | 423-623-8646 x 3 - Coffee County Soil and Water Conservation District
Manchester is home to the Coffee County Soil and Water Conservation District office (1008 East End Road), the local contact for Tennessee agricultural conservation programs. Phone 931-728-2483 x 3.
1008 East End Road, Manchester, TN | 931-728-2483 x 3 - Crockett County Soil and Water Conservation District
Farmers and ranchers in Crockett County reach their local soil and water conservation district in Alamo, Tennessee, at 345 South Bells Street Suite C or by phone at 731-696-5537 x 3.
345 South Bells Street Suite C, Alamo, TN | 731-696-5537 x 3 - Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District serves landowners in Cumberland County, Tennessee, from its office in Crossville. Phone 931-484-5442 x 3; mailing or street address 314 Old Jamestown Highway Suite 102.
314 Old Jamestown Highway Suite 102, Crossville, TN | 931-484-5442 x 3 - Davidson County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district for Davidson County, Tennessee, helping farmers with cost-share practices and erosion control. Office in Nashville at 1607A County Hospital Road; call 615-927-1251.
1607A County Hospital Road, Nashville, TN | 615-927-1251 - Decatur County Soil and Water Conservation District
Decaturville is home to the Decatur County Soil and Water Conservation District office (PO Box 267), the local contact for Tennessee agricultural conservation programs. Phone 731-852-3761.
Decaturville, TN | 731-852-3761 - DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District
Farmers and ranchers in DeKalb County reach their local soil and water conservation district in Smithville, Tennessee, at 647 Bright Hill Road or by phone at 615-597-8226 x 3.
647 Bright Hill Road, Smithville, TN | 615-597-8226 x 3 - Dickson County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Dickson County Soil and Water Conservation District serves landowners in Dickson County, Tennessee, from its office in Dickson. Phone 615-446-2449 x 3; mailing or street address 305 Henslee Drive.
305 Henslee Drive, Dickson, TN | 615-446-2449 x 3 - Dyer County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district for Dyer County, Tennessee, helping farmers with cost-share practices and erosion control. Office in Dyersburg at 400 Community Park Boulevard; call 731-287-9224 x 3257.
400 Community Park Boulevard, Dyersburg, TN | 731-287-9224 x 3257 - Fayette County Soil and Water Conservation District
Somerville is home to the Fayette County Soil and Water Conservation District office (18080 Highway 64), the local contact for Tennessee agricultural conservation programs. Phone 901-465-2631 x 3.
18080 Highway 64, Somerville, TN | 901-465-2631 x 3 - Fentress County Soil and Water Conservation District
Farmers and ranchers in Fentress County reach their local soil and water conservation district in Jamestown, Tennessee, at 452 East Mark Twain Avenue Suite B or by phone at 931-879-8212 x 3.
452 East Mark Twain Avenue Suite B, Jamestown, TN | 931-879-8212 x 3 - Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District serves landowners in Franklin County, Tennessee, from its office in Winchester. Phone 931-967-3504 x 3; mailing or street address 200 South Jefferson Street Rm 108.
200 South Jefferson Street Rm 108, Winchester, TN | 931-967-3504 x 3 - Gibson County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district for Gibson County, Tennessee, helping farmers with cost-share practices and erosion control. Office in Trenton at 1252 Manufacturers Row; call 731-855-0023 x 3.
1252 Manufacturers Row, Trenton, TN | 731-855-0023 x 3 - Giles County Soil and Water Conservation District
Pulaski is home to the Giles County Soil and Water Conservation District office (1024 Mill Street), the local contact for Tennessee agricultural conservation programs. Phone 931-363-2675 x 3.
1024 Mill Street, Pulaski, TN | 931-363-2675 x 3 - Grainger County Soil and Water Conservation District
Farmers and ranchers in Grainger County reach their local soil and water conservation district in Rutledge, Tennessee, at P.O. Box 639 or by phone at 865-828-5211.
Rutledge, TN | 865-828-5211 - Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District serves landowners in Greene County, Tennessee, from its office in Greeneville. Phone 423-278-5727; mailing or street address 214 North College Street Suite 200.
214 North College Street Suite 200, Greeneville, TN | 423-278-5727 - Grundy County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district for Grundy County, Tennessee, helping farmers with cost-share practices and erosion control. Office in Coalmont at 27 Phipps Street, P.O. Box 125; call 931-592-5220.
27 Phipps Street, P.O. Box 125, Coalmont, TN | 931-592-5220 - Hamblen County Soil and Water Conservation District
Morristown is home to the Hamblen County Soil and Water Conservation District office (369 Dr. Martin Luther King Pkwy), the local contact for Tennessee agricultural conservation programs. Phone 423-586-0321 x 3.
369 Dr. Martin Luther King Pkwy, Morristown, TN | 423-586-0321 x 3 - Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District
Organized in 1951 and governed by a five-member board, this Chattanooga district helps landowners with farm ponds, conservation planning, soil surveys, fish stocking, and tree seedlings.
202 Agriculture Service Center, 6183 Adamson Circle, Chattanooga, TN 37416 | 423-894-1687 ext. 3 - Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District serves landowners in Hancock County, Tennessee, from its office in Sneedville. Phone 423-733-2239; mailing or street address P.O. Box 237.
Sneedville, TN | 423-733-2239 - Hardeman County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district for Hardeman County, Tennessee, helping farmers with cost-share practices and erosion control. Office in Bolivar at P.O. Box 124; call 731-658-3631 x 3.
Bolivar, TN | 731-658-3631 x 3 - Hardin County Soil and Water Conservation District
Savannah is home to the Hardin County Soil and Water Conservation District office (1035-C Wayne Road), the local contact for Tennessee agricultural conservation programs. Phone 731-925-3831 x 3.
1035-C Wayne Road, Savannah, TN | 731-925-3831 x 3 - Hawkins County Soil and Water Conservation District
Farmers and ranchers in Hawkins County reach their local soil and water conservation district in Rogersville, Tennessee, at 1401 East Main Street Suite 3 or by phone at 423-272-0217 x 3.
1401 East Main Street Suite 3, Rogersville, TN | 423-272-0217 x 3 - Haywood County Soil and Water Conservation District
The Haywood County Soil and Water Conservation District serves landowners in Haywood County, Tennessee, from its office in Brownsville. Phone 731-772-1822 x 3; mailing or street address 1179 South Dupree Street.
1179 South Dupree Street, Brownsville, TN | 731-772-1822 x 3 - Henderson County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district for Henderson County, Tennessee, helping farmers with cost-share practices and erosion control. Office in Lexington at 80-C South Broad Street; call 731-968-3551 x 3.
80-C South Broad Street, Lexington, TN | 731-968-3551 x 3 - Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District
Paris is home to the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District office (408 North Market Street), the local contact for Tennessee agricultural conservation programs. Phone 731-642-0761 x 3.
408 North Market Street, Paris, TN | 731-642-0761 x 3
Plus 57 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Tennessee directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.