Crawford County Conservation District

Our conservation district is a political subdivision of state government, established in 1946 and charged with the conservation of the natural resources of our county. We provide technical and financial assistance to address resource concerns while providing educational opportunities to create an environmentally literate Kansans.

Our Mission: To promote the conservation of, and education regarding, our natural resources and their importance for all citizens.

Overview: Conservation Districts had their beginning in the 1930’s when Congress, in response to national concerns over mounting erosion and dust storms, enacted the Soil Conservation Act of 1935.

Our conservation district provides technical assistance, financial assistance and educational services related to the conservation of our natural resources to the public free of charge, thanks to our county and state operating funds.  As a grassroots, locally led organization we are dedicated to getting conservation on the ground; conservation that benefits all Kansans by providing cleaner water, more productive soils. 

We are the local source for cost share funding for the installation of best management practices for preserving and improving water quality and soil health. We administer multiple cost share assistance programs which provide economic and environmental benefits direct to our county and all residents. 

Services We Offer:

• Technical assistance for addressing resource concerns.
• Financial assistance for implementing voluntary conservation practices.
• Educational programs for schools and community groups.
• Conservation contractors list for services
• Soil Health training opportunities (workshops and scholarships)
• Youth scholarship opportunities
• Educator workshops and scholarships for related workshop fees for local teachers

Equipment For Rent:

Not Applicable at this time.

Board of Supervisors:

• Chairperson - Mark Lehman
• Vice Chairperson - Brian Flaharty
• Treasurer - Janice Harryman (term coming to end February 2025, position up for election at annual meeting)
• Member - Dennis Clutter
• Member - Kirby Brunk

Cost-Share: 
The fiscal year for 2025 starts July 1st, 2024.  The state cost-share system opens Monday, July 1st and the applications can be submitted at that time.  The open enrollment period posted in the newspaper is June 1 through June 30.  We accept applications after June 30, but anything received prior to July 1st will hold priority.  We ask that anyone submitting an application be in contact with a contractor and have an end date in mind that the project you are requesting cost-share assistance on will tentatively be finished so that when we set up the contract with the state, we have a reasonable end date on the project.  A general list of cost-share is listed below:

• OSW - OnSite Wastewater System
  • Septic Complete Replacement with Laterals
  • Septic Complete Replacement; Lagoon
• ESC - Erosion/Sediment Control
  • Grassed Waterway
  • Terraces
  • Diversion
  • Grassed Waterway Rebuild
  • Terrace Restoration
• PRM - Pasture and Rangeland Management
  • Pond
  • Fence
  • Water Facility
  • Livestock Pipeline
• RAP - Riparian Area Protection and Enhancement
• SH - Soil Health
• NM - Nutrient Management
• AWP - Abandoned Water Well Plugging
• WDR - Wetland Development/Restoration
• IWC - Irrigation and Water Conservation