Staff:
- Lynn Whitehurst - District Technician Email
- VACANT - District Coordinator
- Michael Champion - Resource Conservationist Email
- Samantha Carley James - NRCS Soil Conservationist Email
- Brian Burns - NRCS Technician Email
Board of Supervisors
Conservation Planning & Technical Assistance:
Call us to schedule an appointment to visit with you on your property. We can assist with long-term strategies to protect and preserve your natural resources.
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View of a grassed waterway constructed through NC Ag Cost Share Program
Once you have a plan, you may be eligible for our voluntary cost-sharing programs, some of which include:
N.C. Agriculture Cost Share Program—Financial and technical assistance for Best
Management Practices (BMPs) on agricultural land.
Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP)
Installation of BMPs on non-agricultural (urban, suburban, rural) lands. Eligible landowners essentially are all private and public owned lands like homeowners, schools, churches, and community groups.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
Technical guidance and annual rental payments during contract terms for cropland conversion to conservation-oriented land.
Cropland Conversion to trees through the EQIP Program
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)—Financial and technical assistance for implementing structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land, forest land, and pastureland and confined animals.
Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP)—Technical planning and financial assistance to install beneficial wildlife practices on your land.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)—Financial assistance to conservation-minded landowners interested in enhancing their existing management practices.
District Event & Youth Education
Students observing wildlife pelts
Environmental Field Day—The District sponsors a hands-on lesson for Martin County 4th Graders. Students are provided with an outdoor experience to appreciate and preserve our natural resources.
Poster winners showing off their artwork
Poster Contest—The District sponsors and judges a poster contest for Martin County 4th and 5th graders. Winners are eligible to compete at an area level competition.
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Coastal Envirothon photo session
Coastal Envirothon—The Coastal Area of Conservation Districts hosts a natural science academic event challenging students to think critically about their role and the world they live in. The Envirothon is open to all middle and high school teams. Teams that score high enough may enter state and national competitions.
The Martin Soil & Water Conservation District board meets on the first Monday of each month (if necessary) at 7:00 PM. The meeting is held at the USDA Service Center (conference room) at 104 Kehukee Park Road in Williamston.
Frequently Asked Questions
Districts are a grass-root partnership charged with natural resource conservation in Martin County. Districts are part of a soil and water conservation movement born in the 1930s. The Martin County District is governed by five supervisors that sit on the District Board. Supervisors and staff meet monthly to make decisions that impact the conservation priorities and activities in the County.
The board consists of three publicly elected and two members appointed by the NC Soil Coastal and Water Commission. Currently, the Board consists of:
- Richard D. Cannon (Chairman)
- Rupert W. Hasty, Jr. (Vice Chairman)
- Eugene W. Mellette (Secretary)
- Steven C. Lilley, Jr. (Member)
- Corris J. Jenkins III (Member)
Promote conservation and improvement of the soil, water, wildlife, forest and other natural resources within Martin County. The District works in conjunction with its partners to provide a comprehensive conservation program for Martin County. Partners include: Martin County, North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Division of Soil and Water, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), Farm Service Agency, NC Cooperative Extension Service, and NC Forest Service.
The District implements both state and federal programs to assist in installing best management practices and conservation planning with the goal of protecting our natural resources. The staff assists farmers, homeowners, businesses, municipalities, and industry. The Martin Soil & Water Conservation District also offers environmental education programs and resources to public, private, and home schools as well as to civic groups and organizations. Contact us to find out more about the programs and services we offer.