Broadening Board Membership

[Deb Bogar]

I’ve received a request from a member asking if other states have changed their enabling legislation to broaden board member eligibility and/or if states have done any special efforts to help their districts recognize the value of broadening their local board membership. I’d appreciate any input you all have to offer.

[David Williams]

The North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission approved some guiding principles for districts to use when considering candidates for appointment as district board members. While there are no requirements for any district to nominate a candidate with any particular characteristic, the Commission’s nomination form includes a certification statement that the district has considered the guiding principles when selecting the nominee.

The nomination form and the guiding principles can be found at:

http://www.ncagr.gov/SWC/districts/documents/RecommnedationforAppointmentForm-2015.pdf

[Sheri Edginton]

Utah state code requires 3 of the 5 board members be Ag producers, but the code is very vague on what an Ag producer is. Basically if you grow a garden in your backyard, you are an Ag producer.

[Bill Puckett]

We (Alabama) have a committee working on changing the definition of a supervisor to be more inclusive. At this point we are trying to work around the state statue. Statue requires supervisor own land and live in county/district. I am also working on a fair way to pay mileage and travel expenses for associate members.

[brad spicer]

Louisiana’s enabling legislation was last amended in the mid 1950’s.

[Jim Gillespie, Iowa]

In Iowa we still have five (5) elected commissioners, that are elected for staggered terms on a non-partisan basis for four (4) year terms at each general election (no term limits). There can not be two commissioners elected from the same township.

[Laurie Zeller, Montana]

Montana’s supervisors are elected in the general election. Each CD has 5 elected supervisors serving four-year terms. If the CD has a municipality within its boundary, the municipality appoints a supervisor to represent urban interests for a maximum of seven supervisors. Conservation districts can also create a residency ordinance that requires supervisors to live in the area they represent which spreads out the representation throughout the district.

[Frank MInch]

Like North Carolina, New Jersey provides guiding principles for districts to use when considering candidates for appointment as district board members. Other than being a resident within district boundaries, there are no statutory requirements for any district to nominate a candidate with any particular characteristic or skill set. As the focus of most districts in NJ has expanded beyond agricultural assistance, district boards have also expanded in their diversity.

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