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Little State STEAM
On Thursday, May 7, 2026 the Highland Soil & Water Conservation District had the opportunity to participate in the Little State STEAM event at the Brown County Fairgrounds. Josie Jansen and Tammy Newsome were able to promote careers in the AG industry with over 2000 youth in attendance. Josie and Tammy were able to answer questions regarding their jobs in the Agriculture Field, such as: level of education required, work hours, types of equipment used and where the majority of the work was performed.
On Thursday, May 7, 2026 the Highland Soil & Water Conservation District had the opportunity to participate in the Little State STEAM event at the Brown County Fairgrounds. Josie Jansen and Tammy Newsome were able to promote careers in the AG industry with over 2000 youth in attendance. Josie and Tammy were able to answer questions regarding their jobs in the Agriculture Field, such as: level of education required, work hours, types of equipment used and where the majority of the work was performed.
Real Money, Real World
Tammy Newsome and Nathan Burns enjoyed an afternoon of Real Money, Real World with the students at White Oak Jr./Sr. High School on April 24, 2026.
The Real Money. Real World. program is a youth-focused financial literacy initiative that teaches young people the practical skills needed to navigate the financial world. It includes interactive simulations where participants assume the role of a 27-year-old adult breadwinner for a family, making lifestyle and budget choices similar to those made by adults. The program aims to increase participants' awareness of how education level and career choices influence personal income and financial security, and how income and lifestyle choices affect discretionary spending.
We would like to thank OSU Extension Highland County for bringing this program to the youth of Highland County and including Highland SWCD.
Tammy Newsome and Nathan Burns enjoyed an afternoon of Real Money, Real World with the students at White Oak Jr./Sr. High School on April 24, 2026.
The Real Money. Real World. program is a youth-focused financial literacy initiative that teaches young people the practical skills needed to navigate the financial world. It includes interactive simulations where participants assume the role of a 27-year-old adult breadwinner for a family, making lifestyle and budget choices similar to those made by adults. The program aims to increase participants' awareness of how education level and career choices influence personal income and financial security, and how income and lifestyle choices affect discretionary spending.
We would like to thank OSU Extension Highland County for bringing this program to the youth of Highland County and including Highland SWCD.
Earth Day
Nathan Burns, our District Resource Specialist, spent April 22, 2026; Earth Day with the youth at New Vienna Elementary in East Clinton School District. He shared information with the group on water quality and types of fish.
Nathan Burns, our District Resource Specialist, spent April 22, 2026; Earth Day with the youth at New Vienna Elementary in East Clinton School District. He shared information with the group on water quality and types of fish.
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Ag in the County
HSWCD would like to thank everyone that participated in the 2026 AG in The County event at Grace's Sugar Shack on February 21, 2026. Over 50 people attended and had the chance to see how Maple Syrup is made from start to finish. Logan McConnaughey, Farm Bill Biologist, was on hand to inform everyone about Pollinators.
HSWCD would like to thank everyone that participated in the 2026 AG in The County event at Grace's Sugar Shack on February 21, 2026. Over 50 people attended and had the chance to see how Maple Syrup is made from start to finish. Logan McConnaughey, Farm Bill Biologist, was on hand to inform everyone about Pollinators.
1st SWCD Ag in the County Program a Success
The 1st Annual Ag in the County took place on September 29, 2025, at the East End Overlook at Rocky Fork Lake State Park. This Ag in the County was a result of a collaborative effort between the Highland Soil and Water Conservation District, the Ohio Department of Forestry and the Ohio Department of Parks and Recreation. The event was a success with 30 people in attendance.
The evening featured Aaron Kash and Tom Rickey from the Ohio Department of Forestry with a presentation on The Forester's Edge in Timber Sales; Discover how expert guidance into lasting value. Aaron Kash made sure that all of the participants questions were addressed. Light refreshments were served.
The 1st Annual Ag in the County took place on September 29, 2025, at the East End Overlook at Rocky Fork Lake State Park. This Ag in the County was a result of a collaborative effort between the Highland Soil and Water Conservation District, the Ohio Department of Forestry and the Ohio Department of Parks and Recreation. The event was a success with 30 people in attendance.
The evening featured Aaron Kash and Tom Rickey from the Ohio Department of Forestry with a presentation on The Forester's Edge in Timber Sales; Discover how expert guidance into lasting value. Aaron Kash made sure that all of the participants questions were addressed. Light refreshments were served.
2025 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 tests. One consisted of questions on a packet given to them from the Web Soil Survey and the other tests the 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 23, 2025, at the Kelly Chambers Farm. John Etienne dug the soil pits for the competition. The County winners received a plaque that was donated by Farm Credit Mid-America. Pictured is SWCD Nutrient Management Specialist John Etienne, Gage Thompson as the top individual in the Ag category; Amanda Lovedahl representing Farm Credit Mid-America. Not pictured is Jansen Allison who was the top individual in the Urban 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 tests. One consisted of questions on a packet given to them from the Web Soil Survey and the other tests the 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 23, 2025, at the Kelly Chambers Farm. John Etienne dug the soil pits for the competition. The County winners received a plaque that was donated by Farm Credit Mid-America. Pictured is SWCD Nutrient Management Specialist John Etienne, Gage Thompson as the top individual in the Ag category; Amanda Lovedahl representing Farm Credit Mid-America. Not pictured is Jansen Allison who was the top individual in the Urban category.
Local Envirothon Students Honored
The Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts held their annual State Envirothon June 2-4, 2025, at Wilmington College. 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. 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.
The Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts held their annual State Envirothon June 2-4, 2025, at Wilmington College. 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. 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.
Ag Day 2025
On Friday, May 9, 2025, the Highland Soil and Water Conservation District was invited to participate in Ag Day at Bright Elementary by the Mowrystown FFA. John Etienne, assisted by Josie Crabtree set up the Soils Tunnel and guided over 150 4th through 6th graders on a scavenger hunt promoting conservation.
On Friday, May 9, 2025, the Highland Soil and Water Conservation District was invited to participate in Ag Day at Bright Elementary by the Mowrystown FFA. John Etienne, assisted by Josie Crabtree set up the Soils Tunnel and guided over 150 4th through 6th graders on a scavenger hunt promoting conservation.