Conservation directors, staff members strive to serve the public

Osage County is the largest county in the state, with lots of natural resource and conservation needs. The Osage County conservation office has a huge work load and the staff members work tirelessly for our producers/customers. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission and the Natural Resource state offices are very aware of the efficiency and productivity that Osage County Conservation District provides

The office was been extremely busy with 2022 end-of-the-year progress reports on producer contracts and payment for CSP, EQIP, and GLP. In the fall of 2022, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced that an Emergency Drought State cost-share program was available in each conservation district to assist producers/ranchers with water issues due to drought.

The District employees, with the directors' input, announced the emergency program rules listing eligibility and selection criteria/priority to accept applications. After the applicants were ranked, the board reviewed the cost-share applications and approved. The criteria included water tap connections and pond cleanouts. The District has received additional state funding so more producers who applied will be assisted. There were over 70 applications and 13 were approved in the first funding program, which was around $97,000. With the additional funding, it will be possible to help more producers.