Gasconade County Soil and Water Conservation District

Welcome

In the 1930s, Americans realized how devastating soil erosion could be, as the Dust Bowl swept across the nation relocating an estimated 300 million tons of soil. Legislation began to take shape to better manage and conserve our nation’s soil. Despite these actions, Missouri was still plagued with high erosion rates.

In 1982, Missouri was losing soil at a rate of 10.9 tons per acre each year on cultivated cropland. A one-tenth-of-one-percent parks, soils and water sales tax was passed by Missouri voters in 1984 to fund state parks and soil and water conservation efforts. Prior to the passage of the sales tax, Missouri had the second highest rate of erosion in the nation.

Missouri’s erosion rate dropped more than any other state since 1982. It is estimated that more than 148 million tons of soil have been saved since the start of the sales tax, but millions of tons of soil still wash away every year on cultivated cropland in Missouri.

The majority of the soils side of this tax has been used to assist agricultural landowners through voluntary programs that are developed by the Soil and Water Districts Commission. They are administered by the Soil and Water Conservation Program through district boards in each of the 114 counties.

The cost-share program provides financial incentives to landowners for up to 75 percent of the cost for installation of soil conservation practices that prevent or control excessive erosion. The agricultural nonpoint source special area land treatment (AgNPS SALT) program provides funding for five to seven year projects that focus on decreasing sediments, pesticides and nutrients from entering waterways. About $20 million is allocated annually to the cost-share program while $6.8 million is provided for the AgNPS SALT program. Soil and water conservation districts also provide technical support with the design, implementation and maintenance of practices.

By promoting good farming techniques that help keep soil on the fields and our waters clean, each soil and water conservation district is conserving the productivity of our working lands.

The Gasconade County Soil and Water Conservation District was formed in 1964 in Hermann, Missouri. In 1976 the district moved to its current location in Owensville. The district strives to encourage landowners to put conservation on the land by providing cost-share for those practices that address erosion issues. Along with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the district provides technical assistance, as well as conservation planning. The district is very active in providing educational opportunities for all ages through workshops, field events and tours.

Our office is located in the USDA Service Center at 314 S. Olive St. (right behind McDonald's), Owensville, Missouri. Our office is open Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you ever need assistance, please feel free to stop by and see our staff or call us at 573-437-3478 ext 3.