A man's hand holding soil in a corn field

The Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission administers the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Law (Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 278, RSMo). Created in 1943 by the Missouri General Assembly, the commission was created to further soil conservation practices on Missouri farms and maintain oversight of the soil and water districts. The commission was assigned to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, when the department was created under the Omnibus State Reorganization Act of 1974.

The commission formulates policies and general programs for saving Missouri soil and water by the soil and water conservation districts, giving consideration to the districts' needs. The commission provide financial incentives and technical assistance working with state and federal conservation partners to agricultural landowners with the goal of saving soil and protecting Missouri’s water resources. The commission receives and allocates any funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the use or benefit of the districts, including a soil and water conservation cost-share program. The commission also receives and conveys any other form of aid extended by any other Missouri agency to the soil and water conservation districts. Funding for financial and technical assistance is provided by the Soil and Water Conservation Sales Tax Fund, which receives 50% of the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Soil and Water Conservation Program assists the commission in its duties. 

Commission Meetings

The commission meets six to nine times a year, depending on need. Agenda items vary, but they typically include public hearings, actions on rules, requests for variances or work related to compliance issues. The public is welcome to attend these meetings, which may be in person, by conference call or through Webex. The department cannot guarantee the quality of the Webex or conference call options. The department attempts to correct any technical difficulties as they arise, but the meeting will not be subject to change or repeat due to any technical difficulties.

If you would like to address the commission on any agenda item, you will need to notify the department before the meeting. You can do this by emailing the commission secretary at tina.stockman@dnr.mo.gov if attending by Webex or conference call. If attending in person, you can complete a Speaker Request form that will be available at the registration table at the meeting.

Upcoming Meetings


Meeting
Video Attendance Available!
Lewis and Clark State Office Building
LaCharrette/ Nightingale Conference Rooms
1101 Riverside Drive
Jefferson City, Missouri

Past Meetings


Meeting
Lewis and Clark State Office Building
Jefferson City, Missouri
Agenda
More Info:
Video Recording, Jan. 24, 2024
Additional Materials:
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission Meeting Packet, Jan. 24, 2024

Meeting
Margarita Lake Resort
Osage Beach, Missouri
Agenda Additional Materials:
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission Meeting Packet, Nov. 27, 2023

Meeting
Mozingo Event Center
Maryville, Missouri
Agenda
Minutes
More Info:
Video Recording, Sept. 27, 2023
Additional Materials:
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission Meeting Packet, Sept. 27, 2023

Meeting
Missouri State Fairgrounds
Sedalia, Missouri
Agenda
Minutes
More Info:
Video Recording, Aug. 16, 2023
Additional Materials:
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission Meeting Packet, Aug. 16, 2023

Meeting
Lewis and Clark State Office Building
Jefferson City, Missouri
Agenda
Minutes
More Info:
Video Recording, June 7, 2023
Additional Materials:
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission Meeting Packet, June 7, 2023

Meeting
Lewis and Clark State Office Building
Jefferson City, Missouri
Agenda
Minutes
More Info:
Video Recording, March 29, 2023
Additional Materials:
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission Meeting Packet, March 29, 2023

Meeting
East Elm Street Conference Center
Jefferson City, Missouri
Agenda
Minutes
More Info:
Video Recording, Feb. 8, 2023
Additional Materials:
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission Meeting Packet, Feb. 8, 2023
 — CANCELLED
Meeting
Lewis and Clark State Office Building
Jefferson City, Missouri

Meeting
Margaritaville Lake Resort
Osage Beach, Missouri
Agenda
Minutes
More Info:
Video Recording, Nov. 28, 2022
Additional Materials:
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission Meeting Packet, Nov. 28, 2022

Meeting
2S Angus Land and Cattle
Seneca, Missouri
Agenda
Minutes
Additional Materials:
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission Meeting Packet, Oct. 12, 2022

Meeting
Missouri State Fairgrounds
Sedalia, Missouri
Agenda
Minutes
Additional Materials:
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission Meeting Packet, Aug. 17, 2022

Meeting
Webex
Jefferson City, Missouri
Agenda
Minutes
More Info:
Drought

Meeting
Lewis and Clark State Office Building
Jefferson City, Missouri
Agenda
Minutes
Additional Materials:
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission Meeting Packet, June 8, 2022

Meeting
Missouri Geological Survey
Rolla, Missouri
Agenda
Minutes
Additional Materials:
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission Meeting Packet, April 13, 2022

Meeting
Webex
Statewide, Missouri
Agenda Amended
Minutes
Additional Materials:
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission Meeting Packet, Jan. 27, 2022

Members

Gary Vandiver
Chair
Representing: Farmer residing north of the Missouri River
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Richmond, MO
H. Ralph Gaw
Vice-Chair
Representing: Farmer residing south of Missouri River
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Tipton, MO
Jeff Lance
Voting Member
Representing: Farmer residing north of the Missouri River
Party Affiliation: Republican
Savannah, MO
Kenny Lovelace
Voting Member
Representing: Farmer residing north of the Missouri River
Party Affiliation: Republican
Palmyra, MO
Tim Martin
Voting Member
Representing: Farmer residing south of the Missouri River
Party Affiliation: Independent
Bernie, MO
Keith Stevens
Voting Member
Representing: Farmer residing south of the Missouri River
Party Affiliation: Republican
Bolivar, MO
Dru Buntin, Director, Department of Natural Resources
Non-voting Ex-officio Member
Representing: Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Jefferson City, MO
Chris Chinn, Director, Department of Agriculture
Non-voting Ex-officio Member
Representing: Missouri Department of Agriculture
Clarence, MO
Christopher Daubert, PhD, College of Agriculture Dean
Non-voting Ex-officio Member
Representing: University of Missouri, College of Agriculture
Columbia, MO
Sara Parker Pauley, Director, Department of Conservation
Non-voting Ex-officio Member
Representing: Missouri Department of Conservation
Columbia, MO
Timothy Duggan
Attorney General's Office Contact
Missouri Attorney General's Office
P.O. Box 899
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0899
573-751-3321
Jim Plassmeyer, Soil and Water Conservation Program Director
MoDNR Staff Contact
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-4932
Tina Stockman
MoDNR Staff Assistant Contact
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-4932
tina.stockman@dnr.mo.gov

Commission Structure

The Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission is made up of six farmers (voting members) and four ex-officio (non-voting) members. The six farmers are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Ex-officio members include the directors of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri Department of Conservation and the dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. 

  • Three farmers are to be from north of the Missouri River
  • Three farmers are to be from south of the Missouri River
  • Only one member may be from any given state Senatorial district
  • No more than four members may be from the same political party

Commissioners serve three-year terms and until successors are selected and qualified. If you are interested in serving on this commission, a current Application for Gubernatorial Appointment is required for consideration. You can apply online on the Missouri Boards and Commissions website.