The Carlton County Soil and Water Conservation District ("SWCD") is a subdivision of state government established by the state under Minnesota Statute Chapter 103C. The state charged SWCD's to assist land occupiers with implementation of practices that conserve the soil and water resource of the State. The first SWCD in Minnesota was formed in 1938. The Carlton SWCD was formed in 1961.
Support and funding for District operations comes from federal, state, and county government, in a unique partnership that has existed across the country during the last fifty years. The Carlton County SWCD works to implement a comprehensive long range plan for natural resource protection in the county. The comprehensive long range plan identifies several goals for the District and is a requirement of the state for funding and cost share funds. See also www.leg.state.mn.us