Cover Crop Field Day Held
The Highland SWCD and the Highland County Farm Bureau partnered together to host a field day to uncover the importance of planting cover crops. The event was held on August 21, 2019 at Brown Farms in Highland County. Information was provided on fertilizer recommendations, the importance of improving soil health and a tour of a cover crop plot was conducted. Various events was held throughout the day, such as in-field demonstrations and a rain simulator. This field day offered a unique on-site opportunity for landowners to carefully consider all cover crop options that can be implemented to advance their farming operation while capturing nutrients for a long-term investment.
The Highland SWCD and the Highland County Farm Bureau partnered together to host a field day to uncover the importance of planting cover crops. The event was held on August 21, 2019 at Brown Farms in Highland County. Information was provided on fertilizer recommendations, the importance of improving soil health and a tour of a cover crop plot was conducted. Various events was held throughout the day, such as in-field demonstrations and a rain simulator. This field day offered a unique on-site opportunity for landowners to carefully consider all cover crop options that can be implemented to advance their farming operation while capturing nutrients for a long-term investment.
WARM SEASON GRASS GRAZING WORKSHOP
An informational grazing workshop was held at the Millstone Creek Farm on July 16, 2019 located at 9061 Grabill Road in Hillsboro, OH. This was a collorabitive event hosted by the Highland Soil and Water Conservation District, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, USDA NRCS, the Ohio State University Extension and the ODNR, Division of Wildlife to provide opportunities for farmers to learn new advanced grazing techniques. Topics of discussion included; Pasture Management, Animal Performance and Economics, Warm Season Grass Pastures, Warm-Season Annuals and Cover Crop Options, and a pasture walk of the Millstone Creek Farm Operation. A delicious dinner was provided by the Highland County Cattlemen Association and Union Stockyards. The educational evening offered the opportunity to see first-hand how the farm converted fescue to perennial native grasses, to allow a unique grazing technique that will increase water quality, improve soil health, and provide wildlife habitat.
An informational grazing workshop was held at the Millstone Creek Farm on July 16, 2019 located at 9061 Grabill Road in Hillsboro, OH. This was a collorabitive event hosted by the Highland Soil and Water Conservation District, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, USDA NRCS, the Ohio State University Extension and the ODNR, Division of Wildlife to provide opportunities for farmers to learn new advanced grazing techniques. Topics of discussion included; Pasture Management, Animal Performance and Economics, Warm Season Grass Pastures, Warm-Season Annuals and Cover Crop Options, and a pasture walk of the Millstone Creek Farm Operation. A delicious dinner was provided by the Highland County Cattlemen Association and Union Stockyards. The educational evening offered the opportunity to see first-hand how the farm converted fescue to perennial native grasses, to allow a unique grazing technique that will increase water quality, improve soil health, and provide wildlife habitat.
State Technical Tour Held
The Highland Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resource Conservation Service hosted a USDA State Technical Tour in early August that focused on practices in the Clear Creek Watershed area. The Tour was designed to provide representatives from State agencies an on-site learning experience on various conservation practices in the field. Since the District was the lead agency for the USDA Regional Conservation Partner Program, we were chosen to highlight projects within that project area. Some of the practices that were featured during the Tour included; cover crops, edge feathering, CRP conversion, an emergency watershed protection site on Evans Rd and a presentation on the Quail Focus Area during lunch. It was an honor to be chosen as the host to display the great conservation efforts that are being done in Highland County.
The Highland Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resource Conservation Service hosted a USDA State Technical Tour in early August that focused on practices in the Clear Creek Watershed area. The Tour was designed to provide representatives from State agencies an on-site learning experience on various conservation practices in the field. Since the District was the lead agency for the USDA Regional Conservation Partner Program, we were chosen to highlight projects within that project area. Some of the practices that were featured during the Tour included; cover crops, edge feathering, CRP conversion, an emergency watershed protection site on Evans Rd and a presentation on the Quail Focus Area during lunch. It was an honor to be chosen as the host to display the great conservation efforts that are being done in Highland County.
ODA Director Pelanda Meet and Greet
A meet and greet event was held in April in cooperation with the Brown, Adams, Clermont and Highland SWCD’s to give the opportunity for ODA Director Dorothy Pelanda to introduce herself. Pelanda was nominated by Governor Mike DeWine as the 39th Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, serving as the first woman appointed to the position. The event was set up to share information and concerns to the agricultural industry. Attendees were given the opportunity to ask the Director questions first hand and get her take on local issues. This meet and greet session was a unique experience offered by Director Pelanda.
A meet and greet event was held in April in cooperation with the Brown, Adams, Clermont and Highland SWCD’s to give the opportunity for ODA Director Dorothy Pelanda to introduce herself. Pelanda was nominated by Governor Mike DeWine as the 39th Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, serving as the first woman appointed to the position. The event was set up to share information and concerns to the agricultural industry. Attendees were given the opportunity to ask the Director questions first hand and get her take on local issues. This meet and greet session was a unique experience offered by Director Pelanda.
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!