The Charlevoix Soil & Water Conservation District was organized in 1948 when the Cooperative Extension Service, with the help of three farm organizations and many other groups provided information to all landowners in Charlevoix. As a result, petitions were signed by more than 300 people to establish a Conservation District in Charlevoix County.

Conditions within the District, per census information for 1944:
Number of farms = 992
Land in farms = 132,638 acres
Avg. size of farm = 134 acres
Corn = 5,209 acres
Small grains = 4,923 acres
Hay = 20,609 acres
Number of cattle = 11,553

Three dates are important for 1948. The hearing for the proposed District was held on June 16th, the referendum was held on July 9th, and the first Board of Directors were organized on August 30, 1948.

The first officers were:
George Klooster, Chairman
Clayton Healey, Vice Chairman
Ed Rebman, Secretary
Norval Korthase
Carlton Smith