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On March 28th, 1938 the North Dakota State Soil Conservation Committee, along with the Secretary of State, certified Arnegard-Alexander Soil Conservation District as a Working Public entity. The first official meeting was held on June 4th with 40 farmers to discuss soil blowing problems. The follow up meeting was held on June 10th to further discuss soil blowing issues in two separate locations of Charbonneau and Arnegard with 95 and 105 farmers attending. September 18th, 1945 the Lower Yellowstone area voted 72-0 to create an organized Soil Conservation District. The goal of the district was to make rural people more conscious of what they have and the amount of which is being wasted regarding irrigation and soil erosion.
In 1984, the district projected around 37,000 trees to be planted in McKenzie County. Along with the “Dirty ‘30s”, the county received its own wind erosion records in the summer of 1984. This wind storm prompted the need for shelter belts and windbreaks. In 2013, McKenzie County ordered 52,809 trees. Many producers are now replacing the windbreaks that have aged and are no longer working to their full potential. The motivation behind the soil conservation district has not changed. The district is determined to find new ways to recognize our areas farmers and ranchers for conservation practices they're utilizing. Educating our upcoming youth on the practices that have been instilled to conserve the land and create a greater future for others that will continually live off the land continues to be one of our top priorities as well.
Karissa started with the SCD in November of 2020 as a district technician, Karissa was promoted to business manager in 2022. Karissa loves her career because she loves helping producers. Whether she is pulling soils maps, planting trees or grass, cost-sharing practices, or just talking about soil, she loves interacting with our producers every day.
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Kara started with the SCD in July of 2022 as a district technician. Kara was promoted to program manager in 2023. Kara loves her career because she loves conservation planning with producers, analyzing resource concerns and coming up with solutions. She loves how every day at the district is different and you never get bored! She loves that you get to do tree plans one day, visiting schools for youth education the next, and follow up with decorating for one of our events!
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Marianne started with SCD in April of 2023 as a district technician. Marianne loves her career because she loves getting to meet & know all the producers. There's so much to learn from every one of them! Education, interpreting soil tests, and learning more about livestock integration on cropland are just a few things she enjoys doing at the district. She also enjoys working with the great people of McKenzie County and in the office. They can make anything fun, and being so involved with an area like McKenzie County has truly been a blessing.
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I started with MCSCD as a seasonal tree planter in the spring of 2024. In that short month I learned so much about soil health, and the different species of saplings, why it’s important to cover the roots, keep the roots wet, and how to take the best care of the producers trees, etc. I enjoyed every second of it so much, that then and there I told myself every spring from now on I am planting trees for McKenzie county! Fast forward to fall of 2024, I decided to apply for a secretarial position here at the SCD. November 18th was my first day, and it has been an adventure. I am excited for my second year of tree planting. I am also excited to learn more about what I could do to better this earth!
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Nikki Darrington is the District Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service here in McKenzie County. She has worked in this office since 2011. Nikki loves her career and everyone she gets to work with. Nikki graduated from Dickinson State University with a degree in Natural Resources Management. She is married to Patrick and they have three kids; Gracyn, Gavyn, and Graham. Nikki enjoys being around her family; especially while camping, attending basketball games, doing 4-H events, and participating in church. Nikki is a 4-H leader, a Sunday School teacher, and on several boards in the community. Nikki enjoys reading, watching her kids in their events, and especially loves visiting with the producers of McKenzie County.
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I started working in the Watford City Field Office in March of 2023. What I really like about working here is that I get to help people establish meaningful conservation practices on their land. When I’m not in the office I like hunting, fishing and riding anything with an engine.
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