NH Conservation Districts are celebrating 75 years of working in partnership with NH landowners, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, NH State Conservation Committee and the NH Association of Conservation Districts to advance natural resource conservation throughout NH!
About Us
Grafton County is the second largest of the ten New Hampshire counties. Grafton County is a rural county, bordering the Connecticut River on the western side of the State. Ninety percent of the County is timberland, and over half the White Mountain National Forest is within the County. Grafton County is also home to Franconia Notch State Park and Cardigan State Park. Dartmouth College and Plymouth State University are located in Grafton County, along with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and several local hospitals. Recreational sports, breathtaking vistas and abundant wildlife attract many visitors to Grafton County. Grafton County’s inland waterways and rich farmland have supported agriculture and sawmills, and provided power and transportation for its inhabitants. Grafton County communities face the challenge of balancing a growing economy with maintaining a historically strong agricultural presence.
The Grafton County Conservation District was created in 1946. It is a political subdivision of the State of New Hampshire, RSA 432:12, with a 170 C 1 non-profit status under the IRS tax code. As a subdivision of the State of New Hampshire, conservation districts are a partnership of federal, state and local agencies interested in the wise use of natural resources. Grafton County Conservation District is co-located with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, providing technical assistance to County landowners. Grafton County Conservation District elects a Board of Supervisors annually, and Associate Supervisors are appointed by the Board. The District Supervisors and Associate Supervisors bring local contacts to the conservation process, representing local needs, and bringing technical expertise from the community to the District. Grafton County Conservation District is fortunate to have the support of the Grafton County Commissioners and County Delegates who generously provide funding for the Office Administrator.
In 1929, as a result of devastating soil erosion, US Congress appropriated $160,000 for soil erosion control experiments. From that early research, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, formerly Soil Conservation Service) was formed. County conservation districts were established by NH RSA 432 to set local priorities, deliver information and assistance to land owners and users. Grafton County Conservation District was formed April 24, 1946. County conservation districts work in partnership with NRCS to provide technical assistance for federally funded programs. GCCD meets with other related agencies and members of the public several times each year to form a Local Work Group which determines local natural resource needs and concerns, and carries those concerns forward to the State Technical Committee. GCCD also provides useful workshops, on-farm demonstrations and tours often partnering with Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Grafton County UNH Cooperative Extension.
Grafton County Conservation District is co-located at the USDA Service Center, Orford Ridge Business Park, 19 Archertown Road in Orford. Please call (603) 787-6973 for an appointment.
Grafton County Conservation District is also located at the Grafton County Complex, 3855 Dartmouth College Highway, Room 30, North Haverhill, NH
Orford Field Office Partnership