The Clay County Conservation District was organized in February of 1940, the seventh of 69 conservation districts in SD.

With freedom comes responsibility. The Clay County Conservation District believes the potential of private landowners to be the most effective force in resource conservation and protection. We believe in the voluntary approach to conservation on private lands and strongly encourage landowners to use conservation practices to protect their land and maintain its productivity and profitability.

Clay County is in southeastern South Dakota. It has a total land area of 267,654 acres making it the smallest county in SD. Vermillion is the county seat and home to the University of South Dakota. Other communities include Burbank, Irene, Meckling, and Wakonda.

With a total annual precipitation of 25 inches a year and undulating farmlands, Clay County is bisected vertically by the Vermillion River and bordered by the Missouri River on the south. About 83% of the acreage in the county is cropland, about 9% is hayland, and about 3% is pasture and rangeland. Alfalfa, corn, and soybeans are the main crops. Farming is diversified. Cash crops are the main sources of income, but income from livestock and livestock products is important too.

This site updated on:
August 27, 2007

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