About Us

Becker SWCD's Organizational History

The Becker Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was started in 1947 by a group of interested landowners in the northwest portion of the county. Information meetings were held by then County Agent Bertrum H. Johnson and petitions were signed by landowners requesting the organization of a Soil Conservation District. Public hearings were conducted by the State Soil Conservation Committee on March 24, 1948, and a favorable referendum was held on April 20, 1948. A Certificate of Organization was issued by the Secretary of State on May 10, 1948, with the first supervisors appointed June 15, 1948.

The original petition for a District did not include all of Becker County, but only consisted of the townships of Walworth, Atlanta, Riceville, Cuba, Hamden, Lake Park and Audubon. On August 15, 1950, the townships of Spring Creek, Cormorant, and Lake Eunice were added, with the remaining portion of the county land being added by a favorable referendum on May 6, 1955.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Becker SWCD is to develop and promote long range programs that satisfy the conservation needs of the people of the District. With rapidly expanding interests in resource development, it is essential that proper resource management be carried out in the District. The programs will include, but not be limited to proper treatment of each acre of land in Becker County in accordance with its needs. Emphasis will be placed on wind and water erosion and protection practices. Implementation of the Comprehensive Local Water Plan will be administered by the District as well as serving as the Local Government Unit for the 1991 Wetland Conservation Act. Technical assistance is provided by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).