Thursday, January 10th, 2019 at 6:48am
The 2019 Spring Litter Clean-Up T-Shirt Design Contest is open! Students can win a $100 cash prize & $100 for their school! Entries due Feb. 8: https://t.co/LQMEnmg6BP @DukeEnergy @VisitClermontOH @ValleyViewUs #GreenClermont https://t.co/iumDrjA9J9
Pictured: Greg Nause hosting a cover crop field day.
Southwest Ohio Agricultural Conservation Menu
The Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Brown, Clermont, Clinton and Highland counties are working together and looking for farmer input to develop a new website, the Southwest Ohio Agricultural Conservation Menu (SOACM), to share information on conservation programs and technical services that are available locally to advance farming practices. The SOACM website will be a one-stop clearinghouse for all conservation programs. The site will also include information and regular updates on watershed health and local water quality monitoring efforts. The intent of the SOACM website is to provide local farmers with the services and information they need to choose the right agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) that can advance their farming operations and provide protection for local rivers and lakes. If you’re interested in participating in this project, please register here or call the Clermont SWCD: (513) 732-7075.
Register below to participate in 2019 Focus Group Meetings!
Ted Hollaender (left) receiving recognition from Clermont County Commissioner David Painter
Ted Hollaender was honored as Clermont SWCD’s Cooperator of the Year at its 75th anniversary annual meeting on September 13. Ted farms about 700 acres of corn and soybeans in northern Clermont County, and is constantly exploring different ways to improve his operations, especially for conservation. He has participated in the USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program to make improvements on his land using management practices such as no till, nutrient management, conservation crop rotation, cover crops, and he has plans for pollinator plantings. Ted is also enrolled in the Conservation Stewardship Program, which serves to reward producers for being good stewards of the land, while making further improvements.
When applying fertilizer, he follows the 4-R strategy (Right source, Right rate, Right time, and Right place) of nutrient management, and includes the use of variable rate applications recommended in the Tri-State Fertility Guide.
Ted has also been willing to help the District with different projects, including researching the benefits of using the Haney soil test, and allowing us to collect soil samples to help better calibrate the East Fork Soil and Water Assessment Tool model.
Ted plants about 450 acres of cover crops each year – about 2/3 of his fields. He has experimented with several different types of cover crop mixes to build soil health and increase infiltration at a faster pace than would occur with a single species.
Thanks to all our Cooperators for all the Conservation Best Management Practices installed in 2018
Roy Barger Jr Brush management (2)
Robert Bolce Brush management (2)
Boy Scouts of America Brush management (3)
Chatham Farms Prescribed grazing
Cincinnati Nature Center Conservation cover
Cornwell Farms Grassed Waterway
Emily Clark Pipeline (2), HUA, watering facility (2)
E Wiederhold Farms LLC Cover crop, nutrient management
William Eckert Grassed Waterway
Charles Ernstes Tree/shrub establishment, brush management (2)
Robert Fee Nutrient management
Lousie Gartner Cover crop, IPM, high tunnel (2), nutrient management
Ted Hollender Nutrient management, cover crop, no-till
Mark Jones Weed control, conservation cover
League for Animal Welfare Brush management
Lee J Farms Cover crop
Lori Lenhart High tunnel, Subsurface drain, roof runoff structure, underground outlet
James Liming Cover crop, nutrient management
Mark Liming Cover crop, nutrient management
James Metzger Brush management (3)
Jeremy Mount Brush management (5), Tree establishment, forest stand improvement
Jeremy Myers Nutrient management, cover crop, tillage management
Anthony Panetta Nutrient management
David & Joseph Pelosi Grassed waterway
Tyler Peron Critical area planting, roof and cover, HUA
Martha Rose Nutrient management
Richard Rosselot Cover crop, nutrient management
Donald Smith Brush management (2)
Charles Stahl Cover crop
James Stahl Nutrient management
John Stahl Cover crop
Jason Tolliver Forest stand improvement, brush management, tree/ shrub site prep
Varick Family Trust Brush management (4)
Laura Weber Tree/shrub establishment, brush management (2), weed control
Daniel Weber Tree/shrub establishment, tree/shrub site prep.
David Werring Nutrient management, cover crop
Tim Werring Nutrient management
Tony Werring Nutrient management
Wolfer Farms Cover crop
We need help keeping the Ohio River clean! Clermont County is seeking a coordinator for the Ohio River Sweep held each year on the 3rd Saturday in June. The Sweep Coordinator would be responsible for promoting the event, registration and delivering cleanup supplies from ORSANCO to the site coordinators in New Richmond, Moscow, Neville and Chilo. The coordinator usually dedicates about 40 hours total to organize the event. This is a paid position through Valley View Foundation, which will provide support to the coordinator. If you are interested, contact Vanessa Hannah at vhannah@valleyviewcampus.org, or at (513) 218-1098.
Clermont SWCD would like to express our appreciation of the following individuals, businesses and organizations for their support through donations to the 75th Anniversary Celebration and other district events:
GOLD SPONSORS: Park National Bank, Farm Credit Mid-America
SILVER SPONSORS: Five Points, Lykins Energy Solutions, S&ME, Inc., Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber
BRONZE SPONSORS: US Fabrics, Auxier Gas, IBI Group, Inc., McGill Smith Punshon, Abercrombie & Associates, Clermont County Farm Bureau, Strand Associates, Inc., Bethel Feed & Supply, Duke Energy
Special Thanks to: Shaw Farms, JD Equipment, Clermont YMCA, Carneys Feed Mill, Pilot Todd Winemiller, Old Firehouse Brewery, Grant’s Farm & Greenhouse, Buckeye United Fly Fishers, Clermont County Visitor’s Bureau, Jones Fish & Lake Management, Southern Ohio Association of Realtors and Clermont SWCD’s Amazing Supervisors!
Over 200 friends of conservation turned out at Shaw Farms on September 13th for the 75th Annual Meeting of the Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District. Prior to the official meeting, the district hosted an open house, where visitors could view photos and documents from years past, check out our new “augmented reality” sandbox, see antique tractors and take part in different Shaw Farm activities. Attendees also had a chance to visit with the Park District naturalist or the Newport Aquarium, which brought a sturgeon in a mobile fish tank funded by the Regional Storm Water Collaborative. The meeting got underway with the election of two board supervisors and a tasty meal by Taste of the Good Life Catering.
Several conservation partners were recognized for their 2017-2018 achievements in the conservation field. Ted Hollaender of Wayne Township was honored as the District’s Conservation Cooperator of the Year. Christa Burbage, 3rd grade teacher at Seipelt Elementary in Milford, was awarded the District’s Outstanding Conservation Teacher of the Year award.
Christa Burbage receives recognition from County Commissioner David Painter (right) and Rep. John Becker (center).
Christa has taught in the Milford School District for 14 years, and has been committed to bringing agriculture into the classroom. She grew up surrounded by agriculture, with her family raising cattle as well as market hogs which were sold to 4-H’ers in Clermont County. For the past 14 years, Christa has organized an “Ag” day at Seipelt, where FFA members bring livestock for her students to see, touch and learn about first hand, and teach students about crop production, cuts of meat and how farming has changed over time.
Christa is passionate about providing her students with as many “real world” opportunities as possible. She coordinates with the Cincinnati Area Coral Reef Enthusiasts so her students can learn about ecosystems in a hands on manner. In her classroom, she plans a week of science stations for each unit so that the students get an opportunity to work together on experiments and group projects. She and her students have also built a butterfly garden to provide habitat for monarchs.
The Clermont County Commissioners and the Ohio Congress and Governor’s office presented the award recipients with proclamations recognizing their accomplishments and dedication to promoting good land stewardship.
The district would like to extend a special thank-you to all individuals and businesses who donated funds or door prizes to help make the 2018 conservation banquet a great success.
On October 11, David Daniels, the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, visited Clermont County to recognize Shaw Farms in Miami Township as an “Ohio Bicentennial Family Farm.”
Jean Shaw receives proclamation from ODA Director Daniels
On October 11, David Daniels, the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, visited Clermont County to recognize Shaw Farms in Miami Township as an “Ohio Bicentennial Family Farm.” This extraordinary designation identifies Shaw Farms as being owned and operated by the same family for over 200 years.
Founder Thomas Shaw moved to Clermont County from Bucks County, Pennsylvania in 1807 when he purchased 68 acres in Miami Township. The following year, Shaw purchased an additional 63 acres from none other than General William Lytle, who some recognize as the “Father of Clermont County.” Thomas’ son, James Shaw, purchased the current property in 1834. His son, William, helped run the farm until he was captured during the Civil War and died at the notorious Andersonville prison camp.
Today, Shaw Farms is run by members of the family who are six to eight generations removed from the founder, and is led by matriarch Jean Shaw, who at age 87 still works full days at the farm. The future of the farm is in good hands, with ninth and tenth generation children living and playing on the farm. Shaw Farms is perhaps best well known for the produce they sell and their annual Fall Festival, which includes a corn maze, an interactive playground, hayrides and more. This year’s festival runs from September 15 through October.
In addition to Director Daniels, certificates of achievement were present to Shaw Farms by Senator Joe Uecker on behalf of the Ohio Senate, Representatives John Becker and Doug Green on behalf of the Ohio House of representatives, and Commissioner David Painter on behalf of the Clermont County Board of Commissioners.
Shaw Farms, located at 1737 SR 131, Milford, is holding its annual Fall Festival through October. The features a huge corn maze with a kid-friendly treasure hunt, two interactive playgrounds, horse and tractor drawn hayrides, pumpkins and fresh produce. Hours are from 9 a.m. through 7 p.m. For more information on Shaw Farms, visit their web site at www.shawfarms.com.
Clermont SWCD is proud to report that we are the recipient of a watershed management grant from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The grant will provide nearly $40,000 in the coming year to help with projects in the East Fork Little Miami River watershed, and may be renewed for two more years.
The district will consider various projects to address water quality of urban storm water runoff and hazardous alga blooms (HAB’s) that have affected Harsha Lake at East Fork State Park the last few years. A portion of the funding will be dedicated to Brown, Clinton and Highland SWCDs for activities in their portions of the watershed. Check our web site or follow us on Facebook to follow our progress.
Clermont SWCD is seeking candidates for its Board of Supervisors. Two supervisors will be elected at the Annual Meeting which will be held on September 13.
Board Supervisors guide the district, its staff, and cooperating agencies in efforts to implement conservation programs in the county that address management and conservation of soil, water and related resources. Board members should have a sincere interest in conservation and must have the enthusiasm, dedication and the time to serve as an elected official. This is a volunteer position, but supervisors can be reimbursed for mileage & expenses (registration, lodging, meals, etc.) related to events involving soil & water professionals.
What a potential supervisor needs to know:
* Candidate must be over 18 years old and a resident of Clermont County
* This is a volunteer position and runs in 3 year terms
* Board meetings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 8:00 AM and normally run 1 ½ to 2 hours.
* Attendance at occasional outside meetings, events or trainings is required
If you are interested in becoming a Board Supervisor for Clermont SWCD, please email or call John McManus, District Administrator at (513) 732-7075 Ext: 103.
