(a) “Commission” shall mean the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission.

(b) “District” or “soil and water conservation district” means a governmental subdivision of the state and a public body , corporate and politic, organized in accordance with the provisions of Section 69-27-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the purposes, with the powers and subject to the restrictions hereinafter set forth.

(c) “State” means the State of Mississippi.

(d) “Agency of this state” includes the government of this state and any subdivision, agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the government of this state.

(e) “United States” or “agencies of the United States” includes the United States of America, the United States Department of Agriculture, and any other agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the United States of America.

(f) “Government” or “governmental” includes the government of this state, the government of the United States, and any subdivision, agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of either of them.

(g) “Landowner” or “owner of land” includes any person, firm, or corporation who shall hold legal or equitable title to any lands lying within a soil and water conservation district.

(h) “Land operator” or “operator of land” includes any person, firm or corporation, other than the owner, who shall be in possession of any lands lying within a soil and water conservation district whether as lessee, renter, tenant or otherwise.

(i) “Eligible lands” shall mean lands owned or leased by a private individual, group or association, and lands owned by the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision thereof.

(j) “Cost-share assistance” shall mean partial financial assistance in such amounts as the commission, in its discretion, shall determine, subject to the limitations as set by the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission.

(k) “Approved practice” means those farming practices or operations that are carried out in a manner that will directly benefit the conservation, development or proper utility of soil and water resources.