- Home
- Departments
- Brown Creek Soil & Water Conservation
Brown Creek Soil & Water Conservation
Dr. Hugh Hammond Bennett, an Anson native, who rose from a farm and antebellum plantation between Wadesboro and White Store to become chief of the United States Soil Conservation Service and a world authority on land use, is certainly one of Anson’s most noted sons. Through his dedicated professional efforts, Brown Creek became the first Soil Conservation District in America on August 4, 1937, when North Carolina Secretary of State, Thad Eure, made history by signing the certificate of organization establishing the Brown Creek Soil and Water Conservation District (BCSWCD).
Creation of the Soil Conservation Committee
The chartering of the district was made possible by legislation passed by the 1937 General Assembly which created the North Carolina Soil Conservation District Law. This state law allowed landowners to petition the newly created State Soil Conservation Committee to hold a referendum on establishing a Soil Conservation District.
Today, over 80 years later, the Brown Creek Soil and Water Conservation District Board, staff and partnership agencies are dedicated to help preserve Anson County’s natural beauty and resources, and continue Dr. Hugh Hammond Bennett’s legacy.
Mission Statement
The Brown Creek Soil & Water Conservation district is dedicated to helping preserve Anson County's natural beauty and resources and continue Dr. Hugh Hammond Bennett's legacy by providing assistance to the citizens of Anson County to aid in the proper management of our natural resources.
Programs
BCSWCD administers the following programs:
- Agricultural Cost Share Program (ACSP)
- Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program (AGWRAP)
- Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP)
- Technical Assistance
BCSWCD Board
Learn more about the Brown Creek Soil and Water Conservation Board.
Scholarship Application & Requirements
The Brown Creek Soil & Water Conservation District Scholarship seeks to recognize and provide $500 of financial aid to students with an interest in pursuing an education and career in a field related to natural resources and/or agriculture for the 2023-2024 academic year. BCSWCD will award a scholarship to a graduating or graduated high school student from an academic institution located in Anson County, North Carolina.
All applications are due by 11:59PM EST on April 15, 2023. Applications should be emailed to Nick Addison Email with “BCSWCD Scholarship” as the subject. Applications will be reviewed and scored by BCSWCD staff and board members at the April 2023 board meeting. The award will be announced after that board meeting. The scholarship award will be issued directly to the awardee’s respective institute of higher learning.
Applicants, who themselves, or their parents, that have received cost share assistance from the Brown Creek Soil & Water Conservation District, North Carolina Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, or USDA Farm Service Agency within the past 10 years will receive additional consideration in review of applications.