About Us

In 1934, the worst dust storm in our nation’s history set the stage for the formation of the Soil Conservation Service (now Natural Resources Conservation Service) within USDA. By 1935, the federal government was working directly with landowners to try to prevent such a disaster from occurring again. It soon became apparent that these federal efforts needed local input. In 1937, President Roosevelt sent a letter to each of the forty-eight states suggesting the formation of local soil conservation districts. Illinois passed the Soil Conservation District Law on July 9, 1937 which allowed the state to recognize local soil conservation districts.

The Coles County Soil Conservation District was officially chartered on December 23, 1949 becoming the 93rd Soil Conservation District in Illinois. In 1962, the name was changed to Coles County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Board of Directors

• Larry Coutant, Chairman
• Jim Bell, Vice Chairman
• Gary Kuhns, Secretary-Treasurer
• Rollie Spaniol, Director
• Craig Clendening, Director

Associate Directors

• Darla Chouinard
• Kristin Yager

SWCD Employees

• Kyndall Kaufman, Administrative Coordinator/Education Coordinator
• RJ Alier, Resource Conservationist
• David Mott, Woodland Invasive Specialist

NRCS Employees

• Laura Smithenry, District Conservationist
• Jamie Wheeler, Soil Conservation Technician
• Kenton Macy, Biologist