The Corson Conservation District is self-governed and has the authority to enter into working agreements with government agencies and private entities to carry out conservation activities. Currently the district works closely with the Tatanka RC&D, NRCS, FSA, South Dakota RC&F, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe NRCS, and Corson county residents to implement conservation activities through out the county.

Locally Led Success

In the first year, 950 acres were planted with the no-till drill. During the next season 1,539 acres were planted. The 750 drill was traded in fall of 1996 for new model. During the 1997 planting season the acres planted almost doubled; 2,982 acres were seeded. Producers were looking to rent a no-till corn planter.

The Corson County Conservation Board of Supervisors decided to purchase a 1720 John Deere Corn planter and have both a drill and corn planter available to rent for the 1998 planting season. Area producers noticed an increase in crop production and a decrease in soil erosion through the implementation of the no-till program. Demand for the no-till corn planter grew and a second planter was added for the 2000 planting season.

Currently, the Corson Conservation District has one no-till drill which annually seeds approximately 1,800 acres in the fall and spring. The two no-till corn planters cover another 1,800 acres each year. Many of initial customers have purchased their own no-till equipment and the numbers of acres under a no-till program have grown each year in Corson County. Through this program area producers have been able to see the advantages of no-till without having to purchase expensive equipment and have seen a decrease in soil erosion due to no-till practices.