History

Soil Water Conservation District History

      In the early 1930s, along with the greatest depression this nation ever experienced, came an equally unparalleled ecological disaster known as the Dust Bowl. Following a severe and sustained drought in the Great Plains, the region's soil began to erode and blow away, creating huge black dust storms that blotted out the sun and swallowed the countryside. Thousands of “dust refugees” left the black fog to seek better lives.  But the storms stretched across the   nation. They reached south to Texas and east to New York. Dust even sifted into the White House and onto the desk of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  On Capitol Hill, while testifying about the erosion problem, soil scientist Hugh Hammond Bennett threw back the curtains to reveal a sky blackened by dust. Congress unanimously passed legislation declaring soil and water conservation a national policy and priority. Since about three-fourths of the continental United States is privately owned, Congress realized that only active, voluntary support from landowners would guarantee the   success of conservation work on private land.  In 1937,  President Roosevelt wrote the governors of all the states recommending legislation that would allow local landowners to form soil conservation districts.

       Shelby County SWCD was established on March 28,1958. Our first annual meeting was held in 1959. Indiana’s 92 SWCD’s are legal subdivisions of state government responsible for the protection, conservation, and wise use of the soil, water, and related natural resource within their boundaries working cooperatively with federal, state, and  local agencies and organizations SWCD’s bring educational, technical, and financial assistance to bear on the conservation problems of land owners and users.  The efforts and activities of each SWCD’s are directed by a board of five local-citizen supervisors: Three are elected and two are appointed.

Last changed: 06/19/08

1110 Amos Road Suite C, Shelbyville, IN  46176    317-392-1394 ext 3    E-mail us by clicking HERE           

Copyright Shelby County SWCD

Last Updated:06/19/08