(a) To offer any assistance as may be appropriate to the commissioners of soil and water conservation districts in the carrying out of their powers and programs.

(b) To keep the commissioners of each of the districts informed of the activities and experience of all other districts, and to facilitate cooperation between districts.

(c) To coordinate the programs of the soil and water conservation districts.

(d) To secure the cooperation and assistance of the United States and any of its agencies and of agencies of this state in the work of the districts.

(e) To disseminate information concerning the activities and programs of the soil and water conservation districts, and to encourage the formation of districts.

(f) To seek and receive grants of monies, and other assets, from any source to carry out this article.

(g) To distribute any appropriated or other funds or assets under its control, from state, federal or other governmental agencies or political subdivisions, or from private grants, including matching funds to districts.

(h) To establish and administer qualification standards for district commissioners and officers.

(i) To give guidance and overall supervision to districts when assistance is requested, or acceptable.

(j) To study, classify and evaluate land use needs and problems in the State of Mississippi; to make recommendations leading to adoption of land use policy and broad guidelines for meeting the needs and problems so identified.

(k) To demonstrate to landowners and operators within the state, equipment that will demonstrate energy and soil and water conservation.

(l) To enter into and to authorize the executive director to execute with the approval of the commission, contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution location inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with carrying out the purposes of this article.

(m) To cooperate with the Commission on Environmental Quality in addressing agricultural nonpoint source pollution. Subject to Section 49-17-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, the Commission on Environmental Quality and the commission shall enter into a memorandum of understanding which shall establish the commission’s role in nonpoint source pollution issues.