MENARD COUNTY
Soil and Water Conservation District #215
106 Bevans Street P O Box 665 Menard, TX 76859
325-396-4708 ext 5 menardcounty@swcd.texas.gov
Menard County SWCD #215 was formed in 1944 to assist people in Menard County with improving, restoring and protecting the integrity of land and water resources.
Menard County Sunset
Historic Dutch Water Wheel in Downtown Menard
Menard County SWCD Directors: November 1967
A. J. McWilliams, Richard Runge, John H.Treadwell, Roger Q. Landers, John L. Royal
Menard County SWCD #215
Recognized for 75 Years of Service
Menard County SWCD was recognized for 75 years of service at the 79th Annual Meeting of SWCD Directors October 28-30, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, TX. Left to right: David Basinger, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) Director, Area IV; Marty Graham, TSSWCB Director, Area II; J. W. Jennings, MCSWCD Chairman, Zone 4; Chris Casaday, NRCS District Conservationist, Menard Field Office; Charlotte Albrecht, MCSWCD Business Manager and Jose Dodier, Jr. TSSWCB Director, Area III.
Menard County SWCD # 215 celebrated its 75th year starting March 15th, 2019. In 1943 area producers worked on a conservation plan that had to be approved before the district could become an official SCD (Soil Conservation District). The official formation papers for Menard County SCD were signed on March 15, 1944.
The first District Board Members were H.H. Mears, Chairman; John M.Treadwell, Vice Chairman; Roy Benson, Secretary/Treasurer; Max Ficker Jr., Member; and O.C. Jones, Member; assisting Conservationist was Mr. Lumm.
Some of the first practices were brush work, terracing, cover crops (Hubam clover), closed terrace, pitting, diversions, decreased stocking rates and improved irrigation practices.
1946 -- A Memorandum of Understanding between Menard County SCD and the Soil
Conservation Service USDA was signed by Vice Chairman, Max Ficker Jr.; Secretary, John L. Royal, and Chief of Soil Conservation Service USDA, H.H. Bennett.
1947 -- Thirty-five plans were prepared, signed and completed for 74,989 acres.
The District became a member of Save the Soil and Save Texas program that was sponsored by the Fort Worth Press in 1948. The District purchased seeders, fertilizer spreaders, etc. to lease to producers to implement conservation practices.
Cooperating producers gave tours to show conservation practice results and how they improved or impacted the land.
1951-- The Farmers Home Administration was formed and started providing some monetary aid and loans.
1956 -- Entering and Leaving Menard County SCD signs were put up. Ten fish ponds were fertilized and managed. These were formed from closed terrace like structures.
The District’s goals are still the same. To improve the soil health, soil productivity and thus increase soil water retention. More information as it is uncovered, discovered, or recovered.
Menard County SWCD # 215 has been serving Menard County producers for over seventy-five years.
HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY SWCD DIRECTORS
The Menard County SWCD #215 was established in April of 1944. The original Directors were:
Roy Benson Zone 1
O.C. Jones Zone 2
Max Ficker Zone 3
J. M. Treadwell Zone 4
H. H. Mears Zone 5
History of Menard County SWCD
District Conservationists
Pat Trew
Mark Nash
Bob Walkup
Audrey Baker
Ed Andrews
Bill Kirkpatrick
Don Newhouse
Clyde Goodman
Ken Cunningham
Mike Black
Gary Deitiker
Adolpho Perez
Charles Anderson
Gary Bates
Chris Casaday: current NRCS DC
History of Menard County SWCD
TSSWCB Area II Field Reps
Lonzo Stewart
Barry Jefferson
Moe Seidensticker
Joe Freeman
Kendria Ray: current Area II Field Rep
CELEBRATING 75 YEARS
Thank you to MCSWCD Chairman J. W. Jennings' wife, Louise Jennings, who designed and created the Menard County SWCD quilt block used in the popular quilt raffle at the 2019 Annual Meeting. In her design, Mrs. Jennings highlighted MCSWCD's 75th anniversary. MCSWCD appreciates all of her time and great work!
