Women’s Conservation Series Concluded
The Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Brown, Adams and Highland counties are excited to report that the third 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; handguns, pollinators and outdoor cooking and canning.
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 event in 2018!
The Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Brown, Adams and Highland counties are excited to report that the third 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; handguns, pollinators and outdoor cooking and canning.
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 event in 2018!
Hillsboro Service Center Honored for Feds Feed Families Campaign
SWCD District Technician Chuck Williams and Operations Manager Pam Bushelman accepted an award on Feb 26, 2018 during the OFSWCD Annual Meeting held in Columbus, in recognition of the Hillsboro Service Center being the second highest in total donations in the state with over 2,000 lbs of food gathered during the 2017 Feds Feed Families Campaign.
SWCD District Technician Chuck Williams and Operations Manager Pam Bushelman accepted an award on Feb 26, 2018 during the OFSWCD Annual Meeting held in Columbus, in recognition of the Hillsboro Service Center being the second highest in total donations in the state with over 2,000 lbs of food gathered during the 2017 Feds Feed Families Campaign.
CELEBRATING 75 YEARS IN CONSERVATION
The Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts celebrated their 75th Annual Conservation Partnership Conference on Feb 25-27, 2018 at the Renaissance Hotel in Columbus with the theme “From Dust to Diamonds”. The Highland Soil and Water District (SWCD) Board of Supervisors and Staff joined fellow conservation leaders and partners for this very special anniversary event that included a live taping of the Ohio Farm Bureau’s Town Hall Meeting focusing on conservation. During the Gala Reception held on Tuesday, Feb 27th The Highland SWCD was honored with a special award for being the first District formed in Ohio on April 18, 1942 and celebrating 75 years of conservation excellence. The 75th Annual Conservation Partnership meeting was a vibrant opportunity to honor the past, treasure the present and shape the future of conservation.
The Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts celebrated their 75th Annual Conservation Partnership Conference on Feb 25-27, 2018 at the Renaissance Hotel in Columbus with the theme “From Dust to Diamonds”. The Highland Soil and Water District (SWCD) Board of Supervisors and Staff joined fellow conservation leaders and partners for this very special anniversary event that included a live taping of the Ohio Farm Bureau’s Town Hall Meeting focusing on conservation. During the Gala Reception held on Tuesday, Feb 27th The Highland SWCD was honored with a special award for being the first District formed in Ohio on April 18, 1942 and celebrating 75 years of conservation excellence. The 75th Annual Conservation Partnership meeting was a vibrant opportunity to honor the past, treasure the present and shape the future of conservation.
Celebrating Earth Day!
April 22 marked the annual celebration of Earth Day. The Highland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) partnered with other communities in the East Fork Little Miami River Watershed and organized a stream clean-up in Lynchburg on April 21, 2018 in recognition of Earth Day. Volunteers from the local Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and members of the Lynchburg – Clay FFA chapter rallied together to do their part to collect litter and keep it from polluting their local streams. It was encouraging to see everyone do their part to raise environmental awareness. Earth Day is a great opportunity to do something positive for the environment but it’s even better to keep it going after Earth Day has passed. So, let’s make everyday Earth Day!
April 22 marked the annual celebration of Earth Day. The Highland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) partnered with other communities in the East Fork Little Miami River Watershed and organized a stream clean-up in Lynchburg on April 21, 2018 in recognition of Earth Day. Volunteers from the local Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and members of the Lynchburg – Clay FFA chapter rallied together to do their part to collect litter and keep it from polluting their local streams. It was encouraging to see everyone do their part to raise environmental awareness. Earth Day is a great opportunity to do something positive for the environment but it’s even better to keep it going after Earth Day has passed. So, let’s make everyday Earth Day!
4th ANNUAL FARM TOUR ANOTHER SUCCESS!
The fourth annual Highland County Farm Tour took place on September 16, 2017. 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: Madison Township Building for a session on Drone Use in Ohio's Agriculture; Sims "Down on the Farm Family Golf Center and Unger Farms to visit their cover crop plot and rain simulator. In addition to learning about these farms, participants also learned about updates from the Ohio Director of Agriculture David Daniels. The Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District would like to thank everyone that attended the event to help make it another a great success.
The fourth annual Highland County Farm Tour took place on September 16, 2017. 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: Madison Township Building for a session on Drone Use in Ohio's Agriculture; Sims "Down on the Farm Family Golf Center and Unger Farms to visit their cover crop plot and rain simulator. In addition to learning about these farms, participants also learned about updates from the Ohio Director of Agriculture David Daniels. The Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District would like to thank everyone that attended the event to help make it another a great success.
County Soils Contest Winners
Every year the Highland SWCD holds a soil judging competition for the 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 ag 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 ag 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 2017 Caleb Cook (L) was the County Rural Ag Winner from McClain FFA and Garrett Brewer was the Urban Winner from McClain FFA. Award Sponsor Rudi Pitzer-Perry & 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 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 ag 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 ag 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 2017 Caleb Cook (L) was the County Rural Ag Winner from McClain FFA and Garrett Brewer was the Urban Winner from McClain FFA. Award Sponsor Rudi Pitzer-Perry & Lindsey Bloon (L) representing Farm Credit Services and District Technician Chuck Williams (R) are shown with the contest winners.