In 1937, as the Dust bowl and Great Depression raged, president 
Roosevelt recommended to the governors of the states the formation of 
Soil Conservation Districts to enhance and protect soil resources and the 
nation's productivity.
     Since about three-fourths of the continental United States is privately 
owned, Congress realized that only active, voluntary support from landowners 
would guarantee the success of conservation work on private land.
     Idaho created the Soil Conservation Commission in 1939.  One year 
later,the Commission had developed a four-point program for District 
organization and established Idaho's first five districts. By 1944 there 
were 11 Districts, today there are 51.  Nation-wide there are about 
3000 Conservation Districts.

     The Lewis Soil Conservation District was formed in May of 1941, in a coffee shop by area farmers and 
ranchers, centering around resource concerns near the north central Idaho communities of Nezperce and 
Craigmont.