Serving Valley County Since 1957

The Valley Soil & Water Conservation District has implemented natural resource conservation programs and provided assistance to local landowners since 1957. The District provides technical, financial, and educational assistance to private landowners and our community partners to help conserve soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources.

Current Happenings

Last Saturday in April,
Franz Witte Nursery,
VSWCD Interactive Watershed Display
Donnelly Fire Department,
11:00am-2:00 pm
More details to come
First Thursday of the month
9am In Person or Zoom
More Details Here
Third Friday 7-8 p.m. Monthly

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Landowner Programs

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Community Collaborations

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District Current Events

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District Resources

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Water Quality

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Valley Soil and Water Conservation District Mission

We encourage cooperation among landowners, government agencies, private organizations, and elected officials to improve natural resources thereby ensuring an adequate natural resource base for present and future generations.
We believe that knowledge, peer involvement, cooperation, and incentives are the best methods to improve soil and water resources.

Landowner Programs

The Valley Soil and Water Conservation District offers a variety of programs designed to support landowners in Valley County. Whether you're new to land ownership or an experienced manager, we provide financial assistance through cost-share grants, technical guidance on conservation practices, and connections to resources that help you achieve your land management goals. Explore the programs below to discover how we can partner with you to protect water quality, improve soil health, and promote sustainable land stewardship in our community.

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Whether you're a new landowner or facing management challenges on your property, the Valley Soil and Water Conservation District is here to help. We provide guidance on cost-share programs, water quality initiatives, traditional agriculture support, woodland management, and wildfire mitigation strategies. Our team connects you with resources and technical expertise to help you achieve your land management goals while promoting conservation practices.
The Valley Soil and Water Conservation District administers various grant programs and cost-share opportunities to support landowners in implementing conservation practices. These financial assistance programs help reduce the cost of projects that improve water quality, soil health, and natural resource management on private lands. Explore available funding opportunities and learn how we can help bring your conservation projects to life.
The Valley Soil and Water Conservation District offers well testing services to help landowners monitor and protect their water quality. Our testing program provides reliable analysis of your water source, helping you identify potential concerns and maintain safe water for your family, livestock, and operations. Contact us to schedule your well test and learn more about protecting this vital resource.
The District maintains two no-till drills available for rent to landowners at minimal cost. These specialized drills are ideal for spring planting and wildfire mitigation seeding projects. Each rental includes a trailer for easy transport, making it simple to implement conservation practices on your property. Reserve your drill rental today and enhance your land management efforts.

History of Valley Soil and Water Conservation District

The 1930’s Dust Bowl soil erosion crisis brought national attention to the importance of soil conservation. In Idaho, 1934 brought extreme drought, 56% of normal water supply, and 25% of the state had lost more than ¾ of its topsoil. Congress unanimously declared soil conservation a national policy priority. However, it became clear that the country-wide adoption of conservation practices would only be possible if communities worked together to solve the specific problems that each area faced. Conservation districts were initially formed by farmers and ranchers who wanted to come together to solve soil erosion and irrigation issues in their districts.
VSWCD has implemented natural resource conservation programs and provided assistance to local landowners since 1957. The District provides technical, financial, and educational assistance to private landowners and our community partners to help conserve soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources. All of our information is free-of-charge. The District is funded by a combination of local and state monies. Demands on soil, water, and other natural resources in Valley County are compounding and becoming more complex today than when the we organized in 1957. Over the years, our programs have adapted to meet the needs created by changing land uses, a growing population, and recreation industry.
While the District still provides support to farmers and ranchers, Valley County was “discovered” during the 1970s, and the number of farms decreased while the population of the county increased by 55%. It became clear that a voice for conservation was needed to ensure proposed developments considered soil and water quality in their plans. Since the 1980s the VSWCD has worked with the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission to provide natural resource input on proposed developments.
Since the 1970s, VSWCD has been addressing declining lake and reservoir water quality, its risks to livestock, and the increasing frequency of harmful algal blooms. VSWCD partners with federal, state, and local organizations and private landowners to implement water quality improvements in our streams, rivers, and lakes. While continuing to help farmers, ranchers, and private landowners stabilize streambanks, install center pivots, and build riparian and livestock fencing, the district helps gather and compile data for various watershed management plans for our local waterways. The North Fork Payette River Watershed Coalition is a way to accelerate this work by efficiently identifying and coordinating water quality efforts across the watershed.

Community Collaborations

The Valley Soil and Water Conservation District actively partners with local, regional, and state organizations to address critical natural resource challenges in Valley County. Through collaborative research, watershed initiatives, and regional planning efforts, we work alongside universities, government agencies, and community organizations to protect and enhance our shared water, soil, and land resources. These partnerships strengthen our ability to serve landowners and support the long-term health of our community.

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The goal of the coalition is to address watershed best management practices and water quality improvements within the North Fork Payette River (NFPR) watershed. We want to bring everyone’s voice, opinion, expertise, and passion to the table. Deteriorating water quality has an impact on us all.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is partnering with a number of local agencies and organizations to evaluate the on-site wastewater systems along Lake Cascade. The project area focuses on the southern portion of Lake Cascade and the subdivisions within South Lake Recreational Water and Sewer District’s service area.
The Valley Soil and Water Conservation District is participating in a collaborative groundwater study for Valley County through the Philanthropy Northwest Thriving Communities Grant. This partnership, which includes Boise State University and other regional partners, will assess the quality and quantity of groundwater resources in our community to support informed water management and planning decisions.
The District actively participates in the annual West Central Mountains Economic Development Summit each fall. This regional event brings together local business owners, organizations, and agencies to share presentations and insights on the economic landscape of our region. The District contributes to these important conversations about economic development and natural resource management in the West Central Mountains.
The Valley Soil and Water Conservation District participates in the annual Spring Southern Idaho Forestry Tour, a regional educational event for woodland owners and forest managers. This tour provides hands-on learning opportunities at various forest sites, covering topics such as forest health, timber management, wildlife habitat, and fire mitigation strategies. Participants gain valuable insights from forestry professionals and connect with other landowners managing forested properties in southern Idaho.
The Valley Soil and Water Conservation District supports noxious weed education and certification programs in Valley County. These programs help landowners identify, manage, and control invasive weed species that threaten agricultural productivity, native ecosystems, and property values. Through training and certification opportunities, landowners gain the knowledge and resources needed to effectively address noxious weed issues on their properties and comply with county weed management requirements.
Community Outreach Events
The Valley Soil and Water Conservation District is committed to being an active and visible presence throughout Valley County. We participate in community events year-round—including the Valley County Fair and Rodeo, Arbor Day celebrations, wildfire awareness events, legislative socials, and various community gatherings—to connect with residents, answer questions, and share information about conservation resources available to landowners. Especially during the summer months, our team sets up booths and displays at local festivals, open houses, and social events to make conservation support accessible where you live and gather. Whether you're a longtime landowner or simply curious about natural resource management in our area, we invite you to stop by and say hello when you see us in the community.

Welcome to the Valley Soil and Water Conservation District

On behalf of Valley Soil & Water Board of Supervisors, welcome to our Conservation District website. We are pleased to serve the landowners and communities of Valley County in managing our natural resources for current and future generations.

Through State and Local funding, along with Federal, State and Local grants, our District provides technical assistance and financial support to private landowners throughout the region, to implement Best Management Practices for natural resources. Whether you are managing agricultural operations, forestlands, or seeking guidance, we are here to help you navigate available opportunities to achieve your land and water management goals.

Our District works collaboratively with local, State and Federal partners to bring valuable programs, services and funding directly to you. Through Cost-share opportunities , agricultural equipment rentals, and watershed programs, we strive to make water, soil, wildlife stewardship both achievable and sustainable for Valley County landowners.

We encourage you to explore our website, learn about programs we offer and reach out with any questions. Our team is ready to connect you with resources and expertise to be successful stewards of your land.

Thank you for your commitment to the stewardship of natural resources in Valley County and the economic value a healthy, working water and soils system provides to all our Valley County communities.

Sincerely,
Art L. Troutner, Chair; John Lillehaug, Forestry; Bill Leaf, Agriculture Protection Area; Colt Brown, Ag Soils/No till Drill; Judy Anderson Community Outreach and Resource Stewardship; Lenard Long, Water Quality Monitoring and Stormwater Systems; Pam Pace; Water Supply Outlook.