Soil & Water Conservation

Each county in Indiana has a soil and water conservation district, or SWCD. SWCDs are subdivisions of state government as provided for by the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act of the Indiana General Assembly. The Miami County SWCD was established May 7, 1954.


Conservation Board

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The local SWCD is led by a 5 member board of supervisors. Of the supervisors, 2 are nominated by the local community and appointed by the State Soil Conservation Board, and 3 are elected by land users at the annual meeting of the SWCD. Each member serves a 3 year term. The board meets the 3rd Monday of the month @ 7PM @ the Peru USDA Service Center 1626 W Logansport Road in Peru.


Miami County Board of Supervisors

Jarrod Alspaugh    term expires 2027    Elected position             

 Harley McVay       term expires 2028    Elected position       

 Nick Musser          term expires 2026    Elected position  

 Adam Overman     term expires 2028    Appointed position        

 Jon Reese             term expires 2026    Appointed position   

Purpose


Soil and water conservation districts determine and address natural resource needs in their counties, such as:

Cranes by a Lake
The function of a district is to take available technical, financial, and educational resources, whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the local land user for conservation of soil, water and related resources.

Services

The local SWCD is co-located with the USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service at 1626 West Logansport Road, Suite A, Peru (Map). Together, we provide technical assistance to land users who experience soil erosion problems. We survey and design for erosion control structures, grass waterways, water and sediment control basins, wetland restorations, and more. We also provide assistance for forestry, windbreaks, grazing management and other related natural resource concerns. There is no charge for these services. Under certain USDA conservation programs, cost share for implementing conservation programs may be available for eligible land users.

The Miami County Soil and Water Conservation District is funded through county and state appropriations, grants, and private donations.

 Gary 2025 headshotErin Burke headshot 2025MAry Lou 2025 headshot

From top to bottom

Gary Horner - SWCD Technician

Erin Bruke - USDA/NRCS District Conservationist

Mary Lou Watson - SWCD Program Director