The DeKalb County Community Foundation is pleased to announce a new agency fund, the Soil & Water Conservation Fund. Created by the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District to align with their mission, this fund will provide ongoing support to conserve healthy soil and clean water for all generations.

Funds used for creating for the Soil & Water Conservation Fund came by way of a donation by the DeKalb County Farmland Foundation. After 26 years of working to protect farmland and vital resources in the county, the Farmland Foundation Board of Directors voted to dissolve the organization and transfer funds to the DeKalb County Soil and Water District. Through the Soil and Water District, the mission of the Farmland Foundation will carry forward for the benefit of future generations.

For the last 70 years, the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District continues to provide services to DeKalb County. Services of the District include preserving prime farmland in the county, acting as a source for natural resource education, and staying involved with ongoing watershed planning and projects. Additional services include fish sales for pond stocking, producer of rain barrels for rainwater harvesting, and seeding of conservation areas.

“We are proud to carry on the mission of the DeKalb County Farmland Foundation by offering a voice in protecting our valuable natural resources and making sure they are used wisely. Partnerships with the DeKalb County Community Foundation and other like-minded organizations help to strengthen our mission and improve the quality of life for our community” according to Dean Johnson with the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District.

To date, the Community Foundation handles all administrative and investment responsibilities of 35 agency funds. Established by nonprofit organizations to provide income to themselves, agency funds free an organization to pursue its charitable mission. For organizations desiring to explore this option or for additional information, please contact Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.

Pictured: Members of the DeKalb County Farmland Foundation and DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District present a fund creation check to the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

Donate to the Soil & Water Conservation Fund