Who We Are

The Mills County Soil and Water Conservation District is a legal subdivision of Texas State Government that comprises all of Mills County. The District was originally a part of the Brown-Mills SWCD which was organized by a referendum requested by local landowners in1941. The Mills County SWCD was created by a division and re-organization of the Brown-Mills SWCD on March 27, 1986. The district is divided into five sub-divisions, with one director being elected from each sub-division (zone) to represent the landowners of that area. The zones were divided along easily identifiable highways. An effort was made to divide the zones by major soils and land uses. The district under State law, does not have the power to levy taxes. The District is supported by local donations and funds raised through local projects. A portion of these funds are then matched by the State.

The Board Members presently are:

W. J. Hopper, Chairman, Zone 3

Larry Ezell, Vice Chairman, Zone 1

Wayne Wilcox, Secretary, Zone 5

C. T. Head, Member, Zone 4

Don Barnett, Member, Zone 2

Major functions of the District are to coordinate federal, state, and local technical and financial conservation assistance to landowners, distribute conservation information to land users and the general public, and promote conservation education in schools to bring about the conservation and sustained use of our natural resources.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical assistance to the District and landowners cooperating with the District. Specialists in soils, agronomy, forestry, plant science, biology, engineering, and other natural resource fields are available to provide information and advice to landowners to solve resource management problems on their property.

The basis for this technical assistance is called a “Conservation Plan.” A conservation plan begins with a complete inventory of the soils, plants, waters and other physical features of a tract of land. Alternatives and advice are offered to the landowner on a voluntary basis. The landowner selects the alternatives that will best fit his/her goals. The conservation plan is then tailored to meet the landowner’s objectives, while at the same time using each acre of land within its capabilities and treating it according to its needs.

Each year the District carries out activities to promote conservation in Mills County. Some of these include:

- Partners with the NRCS and The agricultural extension service to conduct the Sixth grade Agriculture and Conservation Field Day for Mills County schools.

- Provides Conservation Roundup twice a year to third and fourth grade students of Mills County schools.

- Conducts an annual conservation tour for area Ministers and Conservationists to promote soil stewardship and provides Soil Stewardship materials for distribution to Mills County citizens through area churches.

- Sponsors an annual poster contest for Mills County Students 12 years of age and younger. Sponsors an essay contest for Mills County Students 18 years of age and younger.

- Publishes annual report and supplies news releases to local newspapers to inform landowners and others on conservation topics.

- Recognizes individuals that do outstanding conservation work on their land.

- Provides a delegate to the Leon Bosque Resource Conservation and Development Board of Directors.

- Serves as a voice for local landowners at the state and national level of government regarding private property rights and conservation issues.

Programs and services of the Mills County Soil & Water Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regards for race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status or disability.