Yuma Conservation District Home

Yuma Conservation District

508 E. 8th Avenue, P.O. Box 116, Yuma, Colorado 80759, Telephone (970) 848-5605

Locally led conservation - Protecting natural resources - Maintaining productive agricultural lands

Republican River Basin
Pathways Project

Producers will move from high water use crops to lower water use and value added crops or raise traditional crops on less water on 6,000 pilot farm acres. Results can be replicated throughout the Republican River Basin. Promotes long term sustainability of the Ogallala Aquifer and mitigates long-term economic impacts of compliance with the Republican River Compact.
Funded by a federal Conservation Innovation Grant.
More information
Feature Article in Colorado Conservator (PDF)
Project flyer November 2007 (PDF)
Economic impact from irrigation and mitigation of potential well shut downs from Republican River Compact - Power Point presentation

Pathways 2 Market Project
One year planning grant to provide information and resources to a diverse group of producers and consumers to help them make a decision about forming a local marketing co-operative. Funded by a Laura Jane Musser Grant 2007-2008.
More information
Pathways 2 Market flyer November 2007 (PDF)

Locally Led Conservation
The need for local leadership in managing our natural resources was one of the most important factors leading to the establishment of conservation districts nearly 60 years ago. The process of local people working to assess community conservation needs, make decisions and implement solutions is called Locally Led Conservation.

NRCS Conservation Partnership

The district provides office space for an NRCS field office in western Yuma County. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the primary federal agency that works with private landowners to help conserve, maintain and improve their natural resources. More information.

Student Programs
Educational programs for students sponsored by the Yuma Conservation District include 2nd Grade Sammy Soils Coloring Contest, 5th Grade Arbor Day, 6th Grade Poster Contest, 7th & 8th Grade Salvador Memorial Science Fair Award, Camp Rocky, Ted Tuell "Outstanding in the field" Scholarship

Employee Resources
General Office Procedures (PDF)
Yuma CD Employee Handbook (PDF)

2008 Meetings of the Board of Supervisors, Second Tuesday of each month at the district office, 5 p.m.

50th Anniversary 1958 - 2008
District Origins and History

Yuma Conservation District is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2008. On November 18, 1958, the Yuma Soil Conservation District became a lawful entity under the provisions of the Colorado State Soil Conservation Act. The district will hold a special dinner meeting in November.
More information on district history.

District cost share program
The matching grants program will pay eligible landowners 50% of the cost of windbreaks, stock wells, and irrigation well tests for power consumption coefficient to measure actual irrigation water use. Program eligibility rules and maximum payments per practice and per producer apply.

District Conservation Technician
Districts hire technicians to provide technical assistance to Colorado’s landowners for conservation planning to protect natural resources. Funding is through a partnership between the Conservation Districts (25%), the Colorado State Conservation Board (25%), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (50%). More information.

Water & Nutrient Management
319 Project
Producers adopted Best Management Practices on 45,000 acres during a four-year project to protect ground water quality and raise awareness about the connection between agricultural practices and quality of ground water in the Ogallala Aquifer. Funded by an EPA Grant administered through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 2002-2006. More information. The Final Report. (PDF)