(1) “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;

(2) “Committee” means the agency created in § 43-14-203;

(3) “District” or “soil conservation district” means a subdivision of this state and a public body corporate and politic, organized in accordance with this part, for the purpose, with the powers, and subject to the restrictions set forth in this part;

(4) “Due notice” means notice published at least twice, with an interval of at least seven (7) days between the two (2) publication dates, in a newspaper or other publication of general circulation within the appropriate area, or, if no such publication of general circulation is available, by posting at a reasonable number of conspicuous places within the appropriate area, the posting to include, where possible, posting at public places where it may be customary to post notices concerning county or municipal affairs generally. At any hearing held, pursuant to such notice, at the time and place designated in the notice, adjournment may be made from time to time without the necessity of renewing the notice for the adjourned dates;

(5) “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;

(6) “Land occupier” or “occupier of land” includes any person, firm or corporation, other than the owner who is in possession of any lands lying within a district organized under this part, whether as lessee, renter, tenant or otherwise;

(7) “Landowner” or “owner of land” includes any person, firm or corporation who holds legal or equitable title to any lands lying within a district organized under this part;

(8) “Nominating petition” means a petition filed under § 43-14-216 to nominate candidates for the office of supervisor of a soil conservation district;

(9) “Petition” means a petition filed under § 43-14-207 for the creation of a district;

(10) “State” means the state of Tennessee;

(11) “Supervisor” means one (1) of the members of the governing body of a district, elected or appointed in accordance with this part; and

(12) “United States” or “agencies of the United States” includes the United States, the soil conservation service of the United States department of agriculture, and any other agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the United States.