On April 5, 1945, 70 people were in attendance at a hearing at the Wexford County Courthouse regarding the formation of a soil conservation district in Wexford County. Six farmers gave testimony as to why there was a need for a soil conservation district here. Eldon Benson and Carter Stroud of Clam Lake Township spoke of the need to help alleviate the gullies on their land. Charles Smith of Cherry Grove Townnship spoke of problems with wind erosion and the resulting decline in productivity. Robert Stocking spoke of how he had seen erosion halted with the planting of trees. Frank Stoddard of Cedar Creek Township also spoke of how trees were needed to stop erosion, and Sidney Hodgson of Clam Lake Township spoke of the large gullies that had formed on some of the best land in the county. A vote was taken, and the result was unanimous in favor of organizing a conservation district. The Wexford Soil Conservation District officially came into being on July 23, 1945 when the application presented to the Secretary of State of the State of Michigan by directors Frank Brehm and Charles Gotthard was signed into law.
During the 1940's through to the 1970's the main emphasis of the conservation district was the prevention of soil erosion. Practices such as cover cropping, contour plowing, and windbreaks helped to stop the washing and blowing away of soil on farm fields. Many less productive lands were converted from farmland back to forest land by the planting of millions of trees.
In the 1980's the mission of both the District and the USDA - Soil Conservation Service expanded to include stewardship of other natural resources, such as water, forest land and wildlife. Recycling became a focus of district efforts, as did wise use of agricultural chemicals. The expansion of mission resulted in name changes. The SCS became the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Wexford Soil Conservation District became known as simply the Wexford Conservation District.
The first decade of the 21st century brought with it significant economic stress for both the state of Michigan and Wexford County. As a result of that stress, both state and local funding for the district was eliminated - a loss of more than $90,000 annually, and the District came close to having to close its doors. Recently, with renewed support from the county, the district has been able to secure grants to fund a forestry program and an invasive species program. Additional programming where a fee can be charged to cover the costs is also being offered. The annual tree seedling sale has been expanded and invigorated. As a result of all these efforts, the Wexford Conservation District is once again on solid ground and able to offer important conservation services to the citizens of Wexford County.
During the 1940's through to the 1970's the main emphasis of the conservation district was the prevention of soil erosion. Practices such as cover cropping, contour plowing, and windbreaks helped to stop the washing and blowing away of soil on farm fields. Many less productive lands were converted from farmland back to forest land by the planting of millions of trees.
In the 1980's the mission of both the District and the USDA - Soil Conservation Service expanded to include stewardship of other natural resources, such as water, forest land and wildlife. Recycling became a focus of district efforts, as did wise use of agricultural chemicals. The expansion of mission resulted in name changes. The SCS became the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Wexford Soil Conservation District became known as simply the Wexford Conservation District.
The first decade of the 21st century brought with it significant economic stress for both the state of Michigan and Wexford County. As a result of that stress, both state and local funding for the district was eliminated - a loss of more than $90,000 annually, and the District came close to having to close its doors. Recently, with renewed support from the county, the district has been able to secure grants to fund a forestry program and an invasive species program. Additional programming where a fee can be charged to cover the costs is also being offered. The annual tree seedling sale has been expanded and invigorated. As a result of all these efforts, the Wexford Conservation District is once again on solid ground and able to offer important conservation services to the citizens of Wexford County.