Park County approves $1,000 to help Powell-Clarks Fork Conservation District host small-acreage workshop in Cody

Park County commissioners voted to allocate $1,000 to Powell-Clarks Fork Conservation District to help offset costs for the district's Small Acreage (rural living) workshop scheduled for March 29 at the Cody Auditorium.

Shannon Darrow, who identified herself as the Powell-Clarks Fork Conservation District manager, outlined the district's long-range plan, recent work on the Shoshone River Watershed Plan, and services the district provides to landowners. Darrow said the district and partner organizations are adding wildfire prevention and mitigation to this year's workshop.

Darrow told commissioners that the district expects roughly 100 participants, intends to charge about $10 per attendee this year, and charges vendors $50 per booth. She estimated recent total workshop costs at about $5,700 in prior years and said the irrigation districts and other partners typically cover portions of the meal and supplies. County staff confirmed the county has an available contingency line of $5,000.

A commissioner moved to donate $1,000 to the conservation district to help offset workshop costs; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.

Why it matters: the workshop is an outreach effort aimed at hobby farmers and small-acreage landowners across Park County. Commissioners and the district framed the funding as support for education on sustainable practices, wildfire mitigation and water issues for rural residents.

What the county approved: a $1,000 donation to Powell-Clarks Fork Conservation District to help fund supplies and a meal for the March 29 Cody workshop.

Darrow thanked the board for the funding and reported the district had finished an ARPA-funded equipment purchase that closed out a prior grant.