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9.26.2011
76 years ago, America was losing thousands of tons of topsoil as a result of relentless dust storms caused by years of catastrophic drought conditions and poor farming practices. In 1935, national leaders established the Soil Conservation Service to help save America’s soil resources. States followed suit by establishing soil and water conservation commissions and local districts.
In 1938, the Louisiana Legislature established the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee and authorized it to work with local farmers to establish local conservation districts.
Today, the Soil Conservation Service is known as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee is known as the Louisiana Soil and Water Conservation Commission, and 44 Soil and Water Conservation Districts serve Louisiana's landowners.
The Conservation Partnership
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) |
Soil and Water Conservation Districts
(SWCD) |
Office of Soil and Water Conservation |
| An agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This federal agency works with private landowners and communities to improve our soil, water, air, plants, wildlife, and energy use. Ensuring productive lands in harmony with healthy environments. |
Local units of government established under state law to carry out natural resources management programs at the local level. |
An office of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. This office provides financial assistance, administrative support, and coordination to Louisiana's 44 soil and water conservation districts. |
NRCS and SWCD offices are staffed with experts from many disciplines to help landowners conserve natural resources in sustainable ways. On staff are soil scientists, resource conservationists, grazing lands specialists, engineers, biologists, botanists, agronomists, foresters, conservation technicians, administrative professionals, and many others trained to help landowners make the right decisions for every natural resource.
NRCS and SWCDs in Louisiana are successful because of partnerships, and because of the close working relationship among individual farmers and ranchers, landowners, government agencies, Tribes, Earth Team volunteers, and other people who care about the quality of Louisiana’s natural resources.
For more information on Soil and Water Conservation Districts, contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District or Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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Women and Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers Claims Adjudication Process
If you believe that USDA improperly denied farm loan benefits to you for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000 because you are a female or because you are Hispanic, you may be eligible to apply for compensation. To request a claims package by telephone, call 1-888-508-4429. To request a claims package online, please visit www.farmerclaims.gov
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Native American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Keepseagle v. Vilsack)
If you are a Native American who was denied a farm loan or loan servicing by the USDA between January 1, 1981, and November 24, 1999, you may be eligible for benefits from a Class Action Settlement. To request a claims package by telephone, call: 1-888-233-5506. To request a claims package online, or for more information, please visit: www.indianfarmclass.com
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African American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Pigford II)
If you are an African American farmer (a) who submitted a request to file a late claim on or between October 13, 1999, and June 18, 2008, under the 1999 USDA settlement in the earlier class action known as Pigford v. Glickman ("Pigford") and (b) who did not receive a merits determination on your discrimination claim, you may be eligible for benefits from a Class Action Settlement. To hear information by telephone, call 1-866-950-5547 or 1-866-472-7826. To find information online, please visit: www.blackfarmercase.com
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