(1) When a county has been declared a conservation district, a board of directors, consisting of seven members, shall be appointed by the county governing body. This board of directors shall consist of one member of the county governing body, not more than four or less than two farmers, and not less than two or more than four public members who shall not be farmers. The commission may waive the requirement for two farmer members in first, second and second class-A counties upon the request of the conservation district and the county governing body consistent with section 6(1) and approved by the commission. The total number of directors shall always be seven, unless the commission, upon request of the district and the county governing body, approves a lesser or greater number in unusual or extenuating circumstances but in no case shall the number be less than five nor more than nine. The composition of the board shall be determined by the county governing body and approved by the commission before such change shall become effective; the farmer and public members to be appointed shall be selected from a list containing at least one eligible nominee for each director to be appointed, and such list is to be composed of eligible nominations submitted in writing by a qualified officer of the organizations designated by the commission. Upon receipt of notice from the commission of the organizations to be entitled to make such nominations, and having secured nomination lists, the county governing body shall appoint the proper number of directors. The composition of the board shall be determined by the county governing body and approved by the commission before such change becomes effective.

(2) The district board may appoint associate directors without voting power.