Spring Clean-up for Earth Day
Since April 22 marks the annual celebration of Earth Day, the Highland SWCD partnered with Rocky Fork State Park and Park Naturalist Joshua Pennington to hold a Lake clean-up on Earth Day. Volunteers from the Fur, Feathers and Friends 4-H Club rallied together to do their part to collect litter and keep it from polluting Rocky Fork Lake and local streams. It was encouraging to see local youth do their part to raise environmental awareness. Earth Day is a great opportunity to do something positive for the environment and this year was no exception!
Local Envirothon Students Honored
The Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts held their annual State Envirothon June 3-5 at Hocking College and Lake Snowden. The top four scoring teams from each of the five area Envirothons were eligible to participate in the State Envirothon. This year the Lynchburg-Clay Gold team received 1st place in forestry and oral presentation. They also tied for first in soils. Once the results were tallied, the Lynchburg-Clay Gold team won first overall in the state competition. SWCD recognized the outstanding Lynchburg-Clay Gold team who challenged their knowledge in this competition; (L to R): Kylie O'Connor, Abigail Shepherd, Abby Manning, Gage Thompson and Coach: Lara Hamilton
The Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts held their annual State Envirothon June 3-5 at Hocking College and Lake Snowden. The top four scoring teams from each of the five area Envirothons were eligible to participate in the State Envirothon. This year the Lynchburg-Clay Gold team received 1st place in forestry and oral presentation. They also tied for first in soils. Once the results were tallied, the Lynchburg-Clay Gold team won first overall in the state competition. SWCD recognized the outstanding Lynchburg-Clay Gold team who challenged their knowledge in this competition; (L to R): Kylie O'Connor, Abigail Shepherd, Abby Manning, Gage Thompson and Coach: Lara Hamilton
2024 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 26 at the Tom Cook Farm. Ollie Sponcil 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 SWCD Board Member Dan Chambers, Braylon Murray as the top individual in the Urban category, Katie Cook as the top individual in the Ag category.
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 26 at the Tom Cook Farm. Ollie Sponcil 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 SWCD Board Member Dan Chambers, Braylon Murray as the top individual in the Urban category, Katie Cook as the top individual in the Ag category.
Highland County Farm Tour a Great Success
The 9th Annual Highland County Farm Tour took place on Sept. 16, 2023, in the New Petersburg area. 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 a great success with over 100 people in attendance.
The tour featured beautiful, diverse farms and provided beneficial information on local sustainable agriculture. The first tour stop was Four Finger Hops: featuring a tour of the hopyard, management and production tips and a harvesting demonstration of hops by Tim Dettwiller and family. The second stop featured Crawford Knoll Farm, which offered a unique up-close look at the benefits of incorporating a grass waterway into your farming operation, and the Cockerill Family provided a presentation on the history of their family farm. The final tour stop featured Brenneman Farms; highlighting seasonal high tunnel systems that extend the growing season and provide crop diversity.
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 that helped to showcase these agricultural farms in Highland County.
The 9th Annual Highland County Farm Tour took place on Sept. 16, 2023, in the New Petersburg area. 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 a great success with over 100 people in attendance.
The tour featured beautiful, diverse farms and provided beneficial information on local sustainable agriculture. The first tour stop was Four Finger Hops: featuring a tour of the hopyard, management and production tips and a harvesting demonstration of hops by Tim Dettwiller and family. The second stop featured Crawford Knoll Farm, which offered a unique up-close look at the benefits of incorporating a grass waterway into your farming operation, and the Cockerill Family provided a presentation on the history of their family farm. The final tour stop featured Brenneman Farms; highlighting seasonal high tunnel systems that extend the growing season and provide crop diversity.
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 that helped to showcase these agricultural farms in Highland County.