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The Elvin Bjorklund Papers document the professional career and contributions of Elvin Bjorklund to the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), particularly in South Dakota and Region 5 of the United States Department of Agriculture. The collection includes reports, conference materials, historical narratives, personnel records, photographs, and training documentation. Topics covered include the history, organization, and development of the Soil Conservation Service; conservation projects in the Black Hills and Missouri River Basin; irrigation and land use initiatives; and leadership and training programs.

Notable items include a biographical profile of Elvin Bjorklund, anniversary materials from the SCS’s 25th year, documentation on the Oahe Irrigation Project, correspondence regarding Ross D. Davies, and black-and-white photographs capturing conservation personnel, farms, and field events. Also present are engineering handbooks for Region 5 and materials reflecting national and regional soil conservation programs and needs assessments.

This collection provides insight into mid-20th-century federal conservation efforts, especially within South Dakota. It offers a detailed look at USDA soil conservation strategies, training practices, and local implementation, and it preserves the legacy of key individuals like Hugh Hammond Bennett and Ross D. Davies. Researchers interested in agricultural history, public land use policy, and federal environmental programs will find these materials especially useful.