Ellis County Conservation District

03/30/2026

30% of household water is used outdoors, with the majority of it being used to water lawns & gardens. 50% of water used outdoors is lost from residential irrigation due to evaporation, runoff, overwatering or improper system design, installation or maintenance.

What you can do:
- Water lawn and plants before 10 a.m. when winds are calm and temperatures are cool or after 5 p.m. to minimize water loss due to evaporation.
- Don't water your grass everyday: check lawn and soil moisture before irrigating. If you can stick a screwdriver into your lawn easily, you don't need to water!
- Water deeply, but infrequently.
- Don't water hardscapes.
- Use a rain gauge.
- Do not turn on sprinklers within 48 hours of measurable rainfall.
- Reduce water use by 20-50% by using native plants that require less watering and are adapted to the climate.
- Use a broom instead of a hose to clean outdoor areas.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3OPEDng

03/26/2026

Drought rages on as the rainfall...doesn't. Bigtime fire danger today to go along with bigtime winds. Maybe (emphasis on "maybe") some rain later next week. We have all the gruesome stats in today's Ticker: https://ticker.mesonet.org/

03/26/2026

03/26/2026

🗓️Mark your calendars!🗓️

The 2026 Locally Led Producer meeting will be held on May 12th from 10am-1pm.

Lunch will be❗FREE❗thanks to Jared Moyer with Arrowhead Land Company!

FEATURES:
1) Meet Amie Broadwater, the NEW FSA County Executive Director!
2) Current and future program updates from FSA, NRCS, FSA Farm Loan Programs, and Ellis County Conservation District.
3) FREE LUNCH!🍔🍰

Call or email us by May 4th to RSVP!🗓️

03/25/2026

If you had farm/ranch losses due to the recent fires, please put this producer meeting on your calendar.

03/18/2026

In February of 2005 when he declared his candidacy for district director, Ted Thimling made a decision that would have a lasting impact on the Ellis County Conservation District and preserving our natural resources. Ted summarized his reasons for wanting to join the Board of Directors as being interested in soil and water conservation, improving Ellis County as a whole, and believing that new ideas ‘never hurt’. He stated that he would be willing to commit as much time as needed to district activities, ‘wasn’t a yes man’, and planned on living here for the rest of his life (‘Good Lord willing’). The ideals and values he listed on his director information form have held true throughout his many years of service. He is always acting on behalf of the greater good rather than his own interests, continues to seek new knowledge, and questions things when needed. Ted’s commitment and dedication to representing the farmers and ranchers of our county exemplifies what a public official should be. During the recent Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts annual meeting, Ted’s 20 years of service was recognized and an award was presented to him at the monthly Board of Directors meeting in Arnett on March 12th, 2026. Congratulations Ted and thank you for your continued service!

03/18/2026

When overgrazing and undergrazing occur together, no one benefits.

On this land in Roger Mills County, one producer utilized prescribed fire and high-density, frequent-rotation grazing to improve their forage quality and utilization.

The result? The soil health, cattle, and wildlife alike all benefit!

03/16/2026

Cost Share PY28 application period opens Wednesday, March 18th at 8:30am! Let us know if you would like an application packet. We can email them or they are available at our office!

03/04/2026

As you all may have heard, we are having ANOTHER Emergency Drought Assistance Program! Applications open Monday, March 9th at 8:30am.

Some important things to note:

1) Application Period: March 9, 2026 @8:30am - June 30, 2026 @ 4pm
2) See flyer for available practices
3) Funds are available on a first come, first serve basis
4) *NEW* District Staff will visual inspect and determine if there is a legitimate need for drought assistance BEFORE your application can be approved and funded
5) *NEW* *If applicable* A Landowner Consent form has to be turned in WITH a copy of a lease agreement/grazing agreement/etc.

We hope to see everyone bright and early Monday, March 9th!

03/02/2026

If you have any questions or concerns that arise, please send us an email or call and leave us a voicemail. We will get back to you as soon as possible!
(580) 885-7306
[email protected]

02/19/2026

Here are 3 more fruit bearing tree/shrub options that we are offering this year!

02/19/2026

Ugh, we've seen this movie before. Should be standard by now, avoid all activities that may spark a wildfire today, and have a safety plan in case a wildfire impacts your area. https://ticker.mesonet.org/