ORLANDO – The Orange Soil and Water Conservation District has five governing Supervisors elected countywide by Orange County citizens for a four year term. The Honorable Daisy Morales is one of its newest District Supervisor, elected November 2014. The Soil & Water Conservation District is a governmental subdivision of the state of Florida, most Floridians have no idea what this agency is about.

63 Soil & Water Conservation Districts in Florida

Created in 1937 as part of the New Deal, there are currently 63 Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the state of Florida. The law was based on federal model legislation to establish Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD’s) nationwide. Soil and Water Conservation Districts were originally organized – for the most part – within county boundaries by petition and based upon a need for soil and water conservation and in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts originally represented small-scale farms by reporting soil and water needs to the government. A great deal of importance into soil erosion and water conservation is emphasized as agriculture will always be part of the Florida economy.

Office of the Supervisor

The office of a Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor is nonpartisan and generally countywide. Candidates are elected in a general election to a 4-year term. Vacancies are filled by appointment by the remaining Supervisors until the next regular election. Supervisors receive no monetary compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses.

District’s Board of Supervisors

A Soil and Water Conservation District does not levy taxes or have the means to enforce land use laws, they work with agencies, individuals and local businesses to promote best natural resource management practices and conserve the environment. Some districts may also appoint Associate Supervisors, Coordinators, District Secretaries, and/or other staff. Each district is a governmental subdivision of the State of Florida and receives funding from a variety of sources including county funding, grants, contracts for services, sales and donations.

Partnerships

Soil and Water Conservation Districts thrive on developing partnerships with other governmental or conservation organizations. Each district develops partnerships with the area Water Management District and Resource Conservation and Development Council. These partnerships are beneficial to the community as the organizations work together for the common goal of protecting and preserving local resources. All Soil & Water Conservation Districts have a District Conservationist appointed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the US Department of Agriculture and an agent of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Agricultural Water Policy (FDACS-OAWP).

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) administer the soil and water conservation programs assigned to it by the Legislature under the Soil and Water Conservation Law, Chapter 582, Florida Statutes. The Department’s Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP), headquartered in Tallahassee, has field staff located around the state who work directly with the Districts as their FDACS liaisons. Some of the programs with which FDACS coordinates with Districts include BMP implementation and cost share programs, mobile irrigation labs (MILs), and public land management.

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District is:

The Orange Soil and Water Conservation District (OSWCD) is a political subdivision of the State of Florida created to implement Chapter 582 Florida Statutes, in general for the purpose of “conservation of natural resources, preserve wildlife, protect lands of the state and protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the people of the State of Florida.” The OSWCD promotes leadership in the conservation of natural resources through stewardship and education programs.

 

Daisy Morales, District Supervisor

Board Of Supervisors, Seat 2

Orange Soil & Water Conservation District

P.O. Box 532094

Orlando, Florida 32858

dmorales@orangeconservation.org

 

Pictures of District Supervisor Daisy Morales with Apopka and Orlando Mayors

Soil & Water District Supervisor Daisy Morales attends agriculture event by The Farmworker’s Association of Florida

District Supervisor Daisy Morales joins Orlando Mayor and City Commissioners at a ribbon cutting ceremony to open newly renovated park