Ohio Conservation Farm Family Award - Brown Farms
Nathan and Jennifer Brown of Brown Farms in Hillsboro, Ohio and was recently selected as the Farm Family Award for Area 5 in Ohio. They have three children Coy, Luke and Ella. The Highland SWCD nominated Brown Farms for the Farm Family Award due to their outstanding on-going conservation efforts to enhance their operation. The Brown’s farm 1200 acres of primarily corn, soybeans, and hay using no-till, cover crops, waterways, and crop rotation. Their operation also includes a 50 head cow/calf herd that includes rotational grazing and other pastureland management practices. The Brown’s have partnered with the Highland SWCD for multiple field days and educational tours, in which their land was used as an example of effective best management practices. Brown Farms is an inspirational part of conservation in the County and was named Highland SWCD Cooperator of the Year in 2019. Nathan and his family strive to improve soil health throughout their operation to ensure the land will be left in better condition for the next generation. Nathan and Jennifer was awarded the Ohio Conservation Farm Family Award on Sept. 22, during the Farm Science Review.
Nathan and Jennifer Brown of Brown Farms in Hillsboro, Ohio and was recently selected as the Farm Family Award for Area 5 in Ohio. They have three children Coy, Luke and Ella. The Highland SWCD nominated Brown Farms for the Farm Family Award due to their outstanding on-going conservation efforts to enhance their operation. The Brown’s farm 1200 acres of primarily corn, soybeans, and hay using no-till, cover crops, waterways, and crop rotation. Their operation also includes a 50 head cow/calf herd that includes rotational grazing and other pastureland management practices. The Brown’s have partnered with the Highland SWCD for multiple field days and educational tours, in which their land was used as an example of effective best management practices. Brown Farms is an inspirational part of conservation in the County and was named Highland SWCD Cooperator of the Year in 2019. Nathan and his family strive to improve soil health throughout their operation to ensure the land will be left in better condition for the next generation. Nathan and Jennifer was awarded the Ohio Conservation Farm Family Award on Sept. 22, during the Farm Science Review.
Lynchburg-Clay Envirothon Team Honored at Annual Meeting
The Lynchburg-Clay Gold Envirothon team competed at the Ohio Envirothon at Lake Erie College in June. The two-day competition tested the knowledge of the students on aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and an oral presentation on a current environmental topic. Since the Lynchburg-Clay team placed third overall in the Ohio Envriothon and received 1st place with their oral presentation, the Highland SWCD presented each member with a commemorative key chain for their outstanding accomplishments during the annual meeting on Oct 13. Pictured; L-R - Highland SWCD Board member Jeff Roehm, Coach Lara Hamilton, Sam Hamilton, Sydney Hamilton, and Addisyn Downing. Other team members include; Bridget Wilkin, and Matthew Gossett.
The Lynchburg-Clay Gold Envirothon team competed at the Ohio Envirothon at Lake Erie College in June. The two-day competition tested the knowledge of the students on aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and an oral presentation on a current environmental topic. Since the Lynchburg-Clay team placed third overall in the Ohio Envriothon and received 1st place with their oral presentation, the Highland SWCD presented each member with a commemorative key chain for their outstanding accomplishments during the annual meeting on Oct 13. Pictured; L-R - Highland SWCD Board member Jeff Roehm, Coach Lara Hamilton, Sam Hamilton, Sydney Hamilton, and Addisyn Downing. Other team members include; Bridget Wilkin, and Matthew Gossett.
Spring Clean-up for 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 23, 2022, in recognition of Earth Day. Volunteers from the local Boy Scout Troop #120 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 year-round, 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 23, 2022, in recognition of Earth Day. Volunteers from the local Boy Scout Troop #120 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 year-round, so let’s make everyday Earth Day!
2022 County Soils 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 test. One consisted of questions on a packet given to them from the Web Soil Survey and the other tests general knowledge of soils. In the 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. This year the competition was held September 15 at Elm's Farm. Evan Davis graciously volunteered his time and equipment to dig the soil pits for the competition. The County winners received a plaque that was donated by Farm Credit Mid-America. Pictured is;
Hunter Miller as the top individual in the Urban category,
Cade Sponcil as the top individual in the Ag category, and Amanda Lovedahl representing Farm Credit Mid-America.
Hunter Miller as the top individual in the Urban category,
Cade Sponcil as the top individual in the Ag category, and Amanda Lovedahl representing Farm Credit Mid-America.
2022 FARM TOUR GREAT SUCCESS!
The 8th Annual Highland County Farm Tour took place on Sept. 17, 2022. The farm tour was a result of a collaborative effort between Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District. The event was greatly attended in the Berrysville area.
The tour featured beautiful, diverse farms and provided beneficial information on local sustainable agriculture. The first tour stop was Maplecrest Farms; featuring presentations on beef production strategies, management of annual forages and pastureland and profitable farm diversification into the retail meat market by John and Joanie Grimes. The second stop featured Dead Broke Farm, which offered a unique up-close look at the benefits of incorporating conservation practices in pastureland, a program on managing black vultures, farm pond solutions and a cutting horse training demonstration.
In addition to touring these beautiful farms, participants also enjoyed a delicious catered lunch provided by the Highland County Farm Bureau that was served by Maplecrest Meats and More. The Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District would like to thank Rural King of Hillsboro for providing bottled water, and everyone else that helped to ensure the event was a great success.
The 8th Annual Highland County Farm Tour took place on Sept. 17, 2022. The farm tour was a result of a collaborative effort between Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District. The event was greatly attended in the Berrysville area.
The tour featured beautiful, diverse farms and provided beneficial information on local sustainable agriculture. The first tour stop was Maplecrest Farms; featuring presentations on beef production strategies, management of annual forages and pastureland and profitable farm diversification into the retail meat market by John and Joanie Grimes. The second stop featured Dead Broke Farm, which offered a unique up-close look at the benefits of incorporating conservation practices in pastureland, a program on managing black vultures, farm pond solutions and a cutting horse training demonstration.
In addition to touring these beautiful farms, participants also enjoyed a delicious catered lunch provided by the Highland County Farm Bureau that was served by Maplecrest Meats and More. The Highland County Farm Bureau and Highland Soil and Water Conservation District would like to thank Rural King of Hillsboro for providing bottled water, and everyone else that helped to ensure the event was a great success.