Organizational factors affecting the strength of Missouri's soil and waterconservation districts

In this study we develop an index to measure "district strength" in Missour i. By district strength we refer to the ability or capacity of districts to promote and meet their conservation goals. Using data from a statewide mai l survey of SWCD supervisors and SWCD employees, we examine how various org anizational factors influence district strength, including such internal va riables as supervisor leadership and perceptions of the adequacy of employe e salaries, and external variables, including district relations with the M issouri Soil and Water Districts Commission, and Natural Resources Conserva tion Service. Our findings reveal that supervisor that leadership districts linkages to the state Commission, and, to a lesser extent, external relati ons with NRCS, influence district strength.