Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District
Assistance Available
History of the Madison Soil and Water Conservation District
The Madison Soil and Water Conservation District was voted in by landowners in 1968. As a local unit of government, the soil and water conservation district is responsible for the conservation activities within the county.
Soil and water conservation district programs are set by the local board of supervisors under guidelines provided by the Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission. The local board is made up of four members that own farms in the district and are elected to office. The fifth is an ex-officio member appointed by the University of Missouri-Extension.
The goal of the Madison Soil and Water Conservation District is to focus attention on land and water resource problems, to develop programs to solve those problems and to coordinate help from public and private sources.
Public assistance became available in 1986 when Missouri voters passed for the first time the one-tenth-of-one-percent parks, soils and water sales tax. Tax revenue is shared between soil conservation and state parks. In Madison County this tax money is used to apply soil saving conservation practices through the cost-share program. All participation is voluntary.
Soil and water conservation district staff provides free technical assistance to landowners to develop conservation plans, survey and design conservation practices.
If you would like to find out more about the Madison Soil and Water Conservation District assistance, call or stop by the office.

504 E. Highway 72
Fredericktown, MO 63645
573-783-5291
Services Available
- Free Technical Assistance -The Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District provides free technical assistance. This includes conservation planning and surveying mechanical practices.
- Rental Equipment - 7’ Great Plains No-Till Drill
- Cost-Share Assistance - based on soil erosion. This program offers landowner’s an incentive to apply conservation practices.
- District Newsletter - published quarterly and available to district cooperators. It contains information on current programs available.
- Land Data Available for Distribution - the soil and water conservation district has aerial photos available (free to property owner) and soil maps for the entire county.
Equipment for Rent
To reserve, call the soil and water conservation district office at 573-783-5291.

The Great Plains No-Till Drill can be used to interseed legumes, remedy overgrazed or drought stricken pastures, or seed grass and legumes for intensive pasture management. The Great Plains end wheel design maneuvers easily over rough pasture ground and side hills.
Cost-Share Assistance
Soil erosion threatens one of our richest and most abundant resources—our land. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has developed the cost-share program to help farmers and landowners install erosion control practices. Funds for the program come from the one-tenth-of-one-percent parks, soils and water sales tax approved by voters.
Cost-share offers landowners financial incentives to apply conservation practices they would not undertake on their own. The costs of these conservation measures are shared by the landowner and by the general public to reduce excessive soil erosion and assure the continued productivity of our soil.
Conservation practices approved for cost-share assistance in Madison County include:
- DFR-5 - Woodland Protection Through Livestock Exclusion
- DWC-1 - Water Impoundment Reservoirs (ponds)
- DSL-11 - Permanent Vegetative Cover on Critical Area
- DSL-1 - Permanent Vegetative Cover Establishment
- DSL-2 - Permanent Vegetative Cover Improvement
- DSP-2 - Permanent Vegetative Cover Enhancement
- DSP-3 - Planned Grazing Systems
- DSP-33 - Planned Grazing Systems with pond
- DSP-333 - Planned Grazing Systems with well
Most cost-share assistance is reimbursed at 75 percent of the estimated county average cost, while some practices are based on a flat rate for practice applied.
Qualified landowners must apply and be approved for assistance with the local soil and water conservation district board prior to beginning any practice. For more information visit or phone our office, and our district manager, Debra Neff or district technician, Sarah Kennedy will be happy to assist you.
Assisting Agencies
Natural Resources Conservation Service
406 E. Main
Marble Hill, MO 63764
573-238-3315, ext. 3
Farm Service Agency
107 Oak St.
Greenville, MO 63944
573-224-3410, ext. 2
University of Missouri-Extension
Fredericktown, MO 63645
573-783-3303
Missouri Dept. of Conservation
Private Land Specialist
406 E. Main
Marble Hill, MO 63764
573-238-2028
USDA Forest Service
Highway OO and 72
Fredericktown, MO 63645
573-783-7225
Here are some Web sites that may also provide additional information to landowners looking for additional assistance:
http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swcp/
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (Voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.