History

On April 11, 1940, the State of Oklahoma issued a Certificate of Incorporation to the Okmulgee County Conservation District making it the forty-first incorporated conservation district in the State of Oklahoma.   Since that time The District has endeavored to provide a high standard of conservation related services to the citizens of Okmulgee County.

Okmulgee County covers 448,000 acres and is located in central Oklahoma in primarily the Cherokee Prairies land resource area.

The District is partially financed through appropriations by the Oklahoma Legislature to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission for allocation to the districts. These funds are used mainly for district employee salaries and the operation of the office. The district also earns funds from renting of equipment such as grass drills and other equipment provided to cooperators as a service. These funds are mainly used to maintain and replace the equipment. Additional funds are earned on reclamation projects on abandoned mine land and areas damaged by early day oil exploration activities. These funds are used to pay salaries on the projects and for equipment and equipment maintenance.

History of the Conservation Award of Honor
also known as the Banker's Award

In 1943, as the southern plains were trying to recover from the Dust Bowl, the Okmulgee County Conservation District and the banks of Okmulgee County partnered to honor land owners who were implementing conservation practices.  The District and the bankers host a banquet biennially where the achievements of the honorees are showcased and the Award of Honor is presented.

The first known Conservation Award of Honor certificate for Okmulgee County is framed and hanging in the conservation district office.