Celebrating Earth Day!
April 22 marks Earth Day and The Highland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) encourages everyone to celebrate by doing their part to raise environmental awareness. Since 1970, the designated day of April 22 has become an annual reminder of our responsibility to be good stewards of the earth. Since planting trees is the most popular Earth Day event because it;s the most sustainable way to positively affect the environment, tree seedlings were donated to the Lynchburg-Clay Middle School students that participated in a stream clean-up event. Other ways to celebrate is to set up a compost bin, conserve water, and turn off lights when you leave a room or car pool together for work. It’s great to do something for the environment on Earth Day and it’s even better to keep it going after Earth Day has passed!
April 22 marks Earth Day and The Highland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) encourages everyone to celebrate by doing their part to raise environmental awareness. Since 1970, the designated day of April 22 has become an annual reminder of our responsibility to be good stewards of the earth. Since planting trees is the most popular Earth Day event because it;s the most sustainable way to positively affect the environment, tree seedlings were donated to the Lynchburg-Clay Middle School students that participated in a stream clean-up event. Other ways to celebrate is to set up a compost bin, conserve water, and turn off lights when you leave a room or car pool together for work. It’s great to do something for the environment on Earth Day and it’s even better to keep it going after Earth Day has passed!
County Soils Contest Winners
Every year the Highland SWCD holds a soil judging competition for the five county school FFA Chapters. The competition allows the students to evaluate soil pits to determine soil properties, limitations, recommended conservation practices, and appropriate land uses for either an urban or rural setting. Students also had to complete two written tests. One consisted of questions on the county soil survey and the other tests general knowledge of soils. In the rural soil judging contest, students evaluate the soil based on its suitability for agriculture, forestry, pasture and wildlife uses.In the urban soil judging contest, students determine the soil’s ability to be used for roads, lawns, gardens and landscaping, home building sites and septic systems. In 2016 Ethan Cockerill (L) was the County Rural Winner from McClain FFA and Garrett Brewer was the Urban Winner from McClain FFA. Award Sponsor Roger Hauke and Lindsey Bloon (L) representing Farm Credit Services and District Technician Chuck Williams (R) are shown with the contest winners.
Every year the Highland SWCD holds a soil judging competition for the five county school FFA Chapters. The competition allows the students to evaluate soil pits to determine soil properties, limitations, recommended conservation practices, and appropriate land uses for either an urban or rural setting. Students also had to complete two written tests. One consisted of questions on the county soil survey and the other tests general knowledge of soils. In the rural soil judging contest, students evaluate the soil based on its suitability for agriculture, forestry, pasture and wildlife uses.In the urban soil judging contest, students determine the soil’s ability to be used for roads, lawns, gardens and landscaping, home building sites and septic systems. In 2016 Ethan Cockerill (L) was the County Rural Winner from McClain FFA and Garrett Brewer was the Urban Winner from McClain FFA. Award Sponsor Roger Hauke and Lindsey Bloon (L) representing Farm Credit Services and District Technician Chuck Williams (R) are shown with the contest winners.
3rd ANNUAL FARM TOUR ANOTHER SUCCESS!
The third annual Highland County Farm Tour took place on September 17, 2016. The farm tour was the product of the joint effort between Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District. The tour featured beautiful, diverse farms and provided beneficial information on local agriculture. The tour consisted of stops at the following locations: Carr Farms, Richard & Jim Carr and families; Nathan & Brooke Montgomery’s , Bob & Sheila Nave’s , and Carraher Farms. In addition to learning about these farms, participants also learned about the Ohio Century farm program and watched a demonstration by the Highland County Grain Bin Rescue Team. During the tour US Representative Brad Wenstrup & State Representative Cliff Rosenberger were presented with the Friend of Agriculture award from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. The Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District would like to thank Reed’s Trailer Sales for supplying the trailers, Tom Pitzer Trucking for the rental of tables and chairs, and Kroger of Hillsboro for donating bottled water to help ensure the event a great success.
The third annual Highland County Farm Tour took place on September 17, 2016. The farm tour was the product of the joint effort between Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District. The tour featured beautiful, diverse farms and provided beneficial information on local agriculture. The tour consisted of stops at the following locations: Carr Farms, Richard & Jim Carr and families; Nathan & Brooke Montgomery’s , Bob & Sheila Nave’s , and Carraher Farms. In addition to learning about these farms, participants also learned about the Ohio Century farm program and watched a demonstration by the Highland County Grain Bin Rescue Team. During the tour US Representative Brad Wenstrup & State Representative Cliff Rosenberger were presented with the Friend of Agriculture award from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. The Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District would like to thank Reed’s Trailer Sales for supplying the trailers, Tom Pitzer Trucking for the rental of tables and chairs, and Kroger of Hillsboro for donating bottled water to help ensure the event a great success.
Women’s Conservation Series Concluded
The Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Brown, Adams and Highland counties are excited to report that the second series entitled “Tri-County R.O.W.” - Real Outdoor Women, was a great success this year! The format encouraged women to try a new skill, spend an evening with ladies who have similar interests and learn from experts in the field in a non-pressure atmosphere. The series introduced participants to a new outdoor pursuit including; outdoor cooking, nature photography, and tree identification basics.
Several ladies in the Tri-County area took advantage of this great opportunity to pursue their outdoor interests, therefore plans are already in the making for another series of events in 2017!
The Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Brown, Adams and Highland counties are excited to report that the second series entitled “Tri-County R.O.W.” - Real Outdoor Women, was a great success this year! The format encouraged women to try a new skill, spend an evening with ladies who have similar interests and learn from experts in the field in a non-pressure atmosphere. The series introduced participants to a new outdoor pursuit including; outdoor cooking, nature photography, and tree identification basics.
Several ladies in the Tri-County area took advantage of this great opportunity to pursue their outdoor interests, therefore plans are already in the making for another series of events in 2017!
Conservation Farm Family Award
The Highland Soil and Water Conservation District nominated Millstone Creek Farms for the Ohio Conservation Farm Family Award and they were choosen as a winner to represent Area 5. On Sept 22, 2016 a ceremony was held at the Farm Science Review in collaboration with the Ohio Farmer magazine, Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation District, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the ODA Division of Soil and Water Conservation to honor Tim and Sandy Shoemaker and Howard Grabill of Millstone Creek Farm. When asked about their conservation philosophy, the Shoemakers said, “We strive to leave the environmental resources under conservation stewardship in good condition for the next generation and will continue to model conservation in a positive way to preserve their way of life.” Fellow award winners from Highland County include; Don Roberts in 1986, the Duncan Family in 1993, PJ Ryan Family in 2001, Russ and Barb Casper of Rubarb Farm in 2003. Congratulations To Millstone Creek Farms and all past recipients for this outstanding accomplishment!
The Highland Soil and Water Conservation District nominated Millstone Creek Farms for the Ohio Conservation Farm Family Award and they were choosen as a winner to represent Area 5. On Sept 22, 2016 a ceremony was held at the Farm Science Review in collaboration with the Ohio Farmer magazine, Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation District, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the ODA Division of Soil and Water Conservation to honor Tim and Sandy Shoemaker and Howard Grabill of Millstone Creek Farm. When asked about their conservation philosophy, the Shoemakers said, “We strive to leave the environmental resources under conservation stewardship in good condition for the next generation and will continue to model conservation in a positive way to preserve their way of life.” Fellow award winners from Highland County include; Don Roberts in 1986, the Duncan Family in 1993, PJ Ryan Family in 2001, Russ and Barb Casper of Rubarb Farm in 2003. Congratulations To Millstone Creek Farms and all past recipients for this outstanding accomplishment!
