About DOC
Overview
The Division of Conservation (DOC) administers the Conservation Districts Law and other laws designed to assist local entities and individuals in conserving our natural resources. The agency is governed by five elected commissioners; two ex officio members representing 
Kansas State University Research and Cooperative Extension; and two appointed members representing the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. The commissioners appoint an executive director to lead the efforts of the DOC. Additional staff provide program administration and agency support.
Contact Information
Kansas Department of Agriculture
Division of Conservation
109 SW 9th Street, 2A
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1283
email: doc@kda.ks.gov
phone: 785-296-3600
fax: 785-296-6172
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Mission
The Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Conservation works to protect and enhance Kansas' natural resources through the development, implementation, and maintenance of policies, guidelines, and programs designed to assist local governments and individuals in conserving the state's renewable resources.
Programs
Programs administered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Conservation (DOC) include:
- Aid to Conservation Districts
- Water Resources Cost-Share Program
- Non-Point Source Pollution Control Program
- Riparian and Wetland Protection Program
- Kansas Water Quality Buffer Initiative
- Watershed Dam Construction Program
- Multipurpose Small Lakes Program
- Water Rights Purchase Program
- Water Rights Transition Assistance Program
- Water Supply Restoration Program
- Surface-Mining Land Conservation and Reclamation Program
Please see the Division of Conservation 2010 Annual Report for more information on these programs.
Commissioners
The Division of Conservation is governed by five elected commissioners; two ex officio members representing the Agriculture Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, Kansas State University; and two appointed members representing the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The nine commissioners serve according to K.S.A. 2-1904.
- Elected commissioners serve two year terms.
- The method of election is by an area caucus of the district from each of the five administrative areas of Kansas.
- Areas I, III and V shall elect in odd years.
- Areas II and IV shall elect in even years.
- The elected commissioners take office on January 1.
- The Division of Conservation shall appoint a successor to fill an unexpired term of an elected commissioner. The successor shall be a resident of the same area as that of the predecessor.
Click to see a list of our Commissioners and their contact information.
Commissioners
The commissioners left to right are as follows: Ted Nighswonger - Area 1; Rod Vorhees - Area V; Brad Shogren - Area III; John Wunder - Area IV; Andy Larson - Area II
