Florida Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Florida’s 62 Soil and Water Conservation Districts were established in 1937 under Chapter 582 Florida Statutes. The law was based on federal model legislation to establish Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) nation wide. Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) were originally organized, for the most part, within county boundaries by landowner petition based on a need for soil and water conservation and in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare. A Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) so organized constitutes a governmental subdivision of the State of Florida.
The governing body of a Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) consists of five elected Supervisors. The office of a Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Supervisor is nonpartisan and district wide. Candidates are elected in a general election to a 4-year term. Vacancies are filled by appointment by the remaining Supervisors until the next regular election. Supervisors receive no monetary compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses. A District may hire employees and agents as needed.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) administers the soil and water conservation programs assigned to it by the Legislature under the Soil and Water Conservation Law, Chapter 582, Florida Statutes. The Department’s Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP), headquartered in Tallahassee, has field staff located around the state who work directly with the Districts as their FDACS liaisons. Some of the programs with which FDACS coordinates with Districts include BMP implementation and cost share programs, mobile irrigation labs (MILs), and public land management.
FDACS has developed a Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor Handbook. The Handbook provides information such as supervisor role and duties, meeting procedures, District partners and programs, and financial management. Please use the links below to download copies of the handbook and other relevant documents.
- SWCD Supervisor Handbook (937KB PDF)
Election Forms for SWCD Supervisors:
- DS-DE 9 Appointment of Campaign Treasure and Designation of Campaign Depository (19K PDF)
- DS-DE 84 Statement of Candidate (28K PDF)
- DS-DE 24B Nonpartisan Loyalty Oath and Oath of Candidate (46K PDF)
- DS-DE 15 Alternative Method Affidavit (43K PDF)
- Form 1 Statement of Financial Interests (2004 version) (275K PDF)
FDACS staff always appreciates your comments on the SWCD Supervisor Handbook. Please email Holly Stone at stoneh@doacs.state.fl.us with any comments, suggestions, or questions.