​By accepting a soil surveyor job through the USDA, Hugh Hammond Bennett set his career in motion quickly becoming the spokesman for soil conservation. From 1903 up to the 1920s, Bennett continued to survey, study and write his findings about the growing soil erosion issues throughout the southeastern part of the United States and abroad. By 1935, after installing several experimental stations and the successful installation of soil conservation practices, Bennett was able to persuade Congress to pass the Soil Conservation Act of 27 April 1935, which created a Soil Conservation Service at the USDA, Bennett served as its first chief until his retirement in 1951. This ultimately led to the formation of locally led conservation districts around the US in an effort to help promote these conservation methods through a network of local farmers. The Brown Creek Soil Conservation District covering parts of Anson and Union counties in North Carolina was the first district recognized, on August 4, 1937. In Alabama, state legislature was adopted in 1939 forming the state Soil and Water Conservation Committee. 

​​​Bennett went on to implement several different methods and practices on farmland, with the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) working directly with farmers to develop Conservation Plans to better the land and enhance their farming practices, many still used today. Throughout the years, the SCS  would go through a few more name changes, eventually landing upon what we now call the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Before congressional committees,  Bennett employed tactics such as pouring water on a table to show the effect of rain on unprotected, bare soil. Today, we still use this demonstration to illustrate the benefits of cover crops.

Thanks to Bennett's tenacity, passion, and leadership NRCS and it's local Conservation Districts would not be where they are today. Alabama is lucky enough to have a Conservation District in every county--67 total! You can find your local district at the state website here. You can also read more in depth about what NRCS can do for you at NRCS Alabama's state website.

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Discover more about Hugh Hammond Bennett with this special YouTube series.