75 Trees to Celebrate SWCD’s 75th Anniversary
To honor their 75th Anniversary the Highland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) donated 75 red maple tree seedlings to the Rocky Fork State Park. The Highland County Boy Scout troops joined in the efforts to plant the trees as their Community Service Project on April 12, 2017. The Highland SWCD was the first District formed in the state 75 years ago to promote the wise use of our natural resources. Planting trees is one of the most sustainable ways to positively affect the environment. By participating in this event the District continues to follow the same mission statement it has since 1942.
To honor their 75th Anniversary the Highland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) donated 75 red maple tree seedlings to the Rocky Fork State Park. The Highland County Boy Scout troops joined in the efforts to plant the trees as their Community Service Project on April 12, 2017. The Highland SWCD was the first District formed in the state 75 years ago to promote the wise use of our natural resources. Planting trees is one of the most sustainable ways to positively affect the environment. By participating in this event the District continues to follow the same mission statement it has since 1942.
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!
