SD Conservation.org

Conservation for Today, Tomorrow and the Future


Bennett County Conservation District
103 E. Bennett Ave— Martin, SD 57551-2203 Phone: 605-685-1243 — FAX: 605-685-1071

The Bennett County Conservation District was established in 1952. The conservation district encompasses all of Bennett County and covers 760,960 acres in southwestern South Dakota. Bennett County has a diverse landscape from the Nebraska Sandhills in the southern part, gently sloping tableland in the central portion and rolling hills in the northern section of the county. Deer, antelope, elk, turkey, sharp-tailed grouse, pheasants and other species provide a diversity of hunting and sporting activities. Limited fishing opportunities are available. The District’s headquarters are located in Martin, SD. The LaCreek National Wildlife Refuge is located within the District boundaries and consists of approximately 16,400 acres of inland waters, marshes and uplands. The area receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 14 inches. Wheat farming and livestock ranching are the main agricultural enterprises. Area producers have implemented conservation practices and projects to control wind and water erosion. The mission of Bennett County Conservation District is to encourage and assist all people in the county to maintain and improve environmental qualities through the wise use of natural resources.

Locally Led Success
No-Till Drill Program
Many producers in Bennett County were interested in trying no-till, but they lacked the financial means to purchase a drill on their own. In an effort to encourage producers to use no-till in their operation and promote no-till as a practical conservation practice, the Bennett County Conservation District developed a plan to implement a No-Till Drill Program. In 1998, the Bennett County Conservation District began working with their conservation partners to develop this important program. The partners included the Cedar Creek Sportsman’s Club; the U.S. Dept. of Interior Fish & Wildlife Service; Monsanto; SD Game, Fish & Parks; the Black Hills Chapter of Pheasants Forever; the National Wild Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited. Together they worked toward securing funding to purchase a John Deere 1560 No-Till Drill with an alfalfa box attachment. The Bennett County Conservation District program provides producers with the opportunity to implement no-till into their operation. Financially many producers were unable to try no-till and since that time, the drill has been used on 4,270 acres. This program has increased no-till as a valuable conservation practice in Bennett County.

To contact Bennett County Conservation District, click here

Conservation District Board of Supervisors and Staff

Sharon Denison, Chairman Landowner/Occupier Tuthill, SD	Raymond Kocer, Vice Chair Landowner/Occupier Martin, SD	Earl Simmons, Treasurer Urban Member Martin , SD
Kenneth Bolzer, Supervisor Landowner/Occupier Martin, SD	Gary Nies, Supervisor Taxpayer of Real Property Martin, SD	Lana Johnson Advisor Martin , SD
Jim Good Advisor Martin , SD	Patty Beck District Manager Martin, SD

Photos courtesy USDA NRCS and SDACD Photo Contest
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