November 27, 2019

NRCS Office Changes

By

Lori Lenhart (left) has taken a new position within NRCS and will no longer be serving as the District Conservationist for Clermont and Brown Counties, a position she has held since 2007. She will be heading up an urban agricultural initiative in Cincinnati and will still be stationed in Owensville.

Jenna Swanson (right) served Clermont County as a Soil Conservationist since 2017 and has taken a similar position in her home state of Virginia.

We wish them both the best and appreciate the work they have provided during their stay in Clermont County.

Until further notice, please contact the Butler County NRCS office at 513-785-6660. Currently neither position has been filled. We will post new information on our website and Facebook page as it becomes available.

Posted in: Uncategorized
November 27, 2019

Celebration for our 76th Anniversary

By

Over 100 friends of conservation turned out at the Clermont County Fairgrounds on September 12th for the 76th Annual Meeting of the Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District.

The meeting got underway with the election of a new board supervisor and a tasty meal by Taste of the Good Life Catering.

Several partners were recognized for their achievements in the conservation field. Louise Gartner of Monroe Township was honored as the District’s Conservation Cooperator of the Year.

Meri Johnson receives the Educator of the Year award from John McManus, District Administrator

Meri Johnson was presented with the District’s Outstanding Conservation Teacher of the Year award.

Meri taught at Clermont Northeastern High School for 13 years and Batavia High School for nine years. During that time she taught biology, environmental science, outdoor science, physical science and more. In 1999, Meri was elected to our Board of Supervisors and served the District for 12 years. In 2003 she joined the Education Service Center as the County’s Science Curriculum Specialist. She currently works for Curriculum Engineering Inc. where she has trained hundreds of teachers in Ohio and been actively involved as a science education advisor for Clermont Northeastern schools, the Cincinnati Nature Center, several local universities, the Ohio Department of Education and the National Science Teachers Association.

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.

Staff members were also recognized for their tenure on staff. Judy Krebs was recognized for 30 years and Becky McClatchey and Jake Hahn were both recognized for 10 years of service to the district.

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 2019 conservation banquet a great success.

Posted in: Uncategorized
November 27, 2019

Connie O’Connor Elected to Board of Supervisors

By

In the election held on September 12th, Connie won the seat on the Soil and Water Conservation District’s Board of Supervisors. Connie is Director of Education for the Cincinnati Nature Center, where she has worked for the past 24 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Macalester College in St Paul, MN and her masters in natural resources from University of Wisconsin. She is a Certified Interpretive Planner with the National Association for Interpretation.

Her term will begin January 1, 2020 and run through 2022.

Congratulations Connie, and thank you for serving your conservation district!

Posted in: board of supervisors
November 27, 2019

Thanks to our Annual Meeting Sponsors

By

Clermont SWCD would like to express our appreciation of the following individuals, businesses and organizations for their support through donations to the 76th Anniversary Celebration and other district events:

Posted in: Annual Banquet
November 27, 2019

Louise Gartner Honored as Cooperator of the Year

By

Louise receives her award from District Technician Jake Hahn

At its Annual Meeting on September 12, Clermont SWCD named Louise Gartner its 2019 Cooperator of the Year. In two short years, Louise has gone from a small vegetable garden to raising organic crops under four high tunnels. Not only did she dive right into farming on her five-acre plot of land, just north of the Ohio River in Clermont County, she has done it successfully while having a full-time job. And like the myriad of her vegetables, her operation is still growing as well. She plans to construct two more large high tunnels in the near future to further expand her beets, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, and zucchini production.

Louise has worked with NRCS to implement other sustainability practices such as cover crops, integrated pest management, nutrient management, and a drainage system around the high tunnels to further improve her operation. She now has a very productive operation, selling to a local food Co-op based out of Cincinnati, as well as an upper-end grocery store chain.

Louise also devotes her time to educating and training others. She has hosted various educational tours for groups such as: National Farm to Table Conference and the Turner Farm who has a Veteran to Farmer Training Program.

The Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District commends Louise for her stewardship efforts, growing food for her local community while protecting the land and valuable natural resources of the county.

Posted in: cooperators
November 27, 2019

Calling all Artists! 8th Annual Rain Barrel Art Project

By

Want to showcase your art in the Rain Barrel Art Benefit Auction?

      Here is How:

  1. Visit SaveLocalWaters.org website to sign up and submit your idea for approval by Jan. 17.
  2. Once approved attend the artist workshop on February 1 at the Cincinnati Zoo.
  3. Pick up your rain barrel at end of the workshop
  4. Return your painted rain barrel March 26-28 and visit it at the Cincinnati Zoo through April.

Simple as that!

This Rain Barrel Art Project was created to promote the use of rain barrels throughout the Ohio River

Valley area via an entertaining yet educational medium.

Visit the 2020 Rain Barrel Art Project page for more information.

Posted in: rain barrels, storm water
Tags: , ,
November 27, 2019

SWCD Receives Award for Partnership

By

In 2018, the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD) began a partnership that has greatly benefited both organizations. To celebrate this relationship, Clermont DD presented Clermont SWCD with a Friends of Developmental Disabilities at its annual banquet on October 23.

The partnership began when Clermont SWCD was looking for assistance with preparing materials for the numerous education programs given through the year. Judy Krebs, the SWCD Education Specialist, typically presents over 275 programs in county schools annually, and had been spending considerable time making and organizing supplies for these. “We knew that Clermont DD had several programs that help students become more involved in the community, so we decided to reach out,” said Krebs.

Clermont DD staff thought this was a wonderful idea. Soon, students from both the Wildey Center and the Douglas A. Collins Center began to prepare materials for Krebs’s “Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly” and “Animal Tracks” programs. “While they are working, the students also have a chance to learn something about nature,” said Krebs. “The students are able to see how butterflies go from a very small egg to a beautiful butterfly in their life cycle. Those helping make animal tracks learn about animal adaptations, characteristics, and how animals can be harmed when people litter.”

Posted in: education
November 27, 2019

Melody Newman Retires from Board of Supervisors

By

Melody NewmanMelody Newman of Wayne Township has decided to retire from our board following nine years of service at the end of the year. Melody agreed to run for the board upon retiring from CNE Schools after 30 years of teaching, and is now completing her third term as supervisor. Her last Board meeting will be December 11. In addition to her work on our Board, Melody works part time teaching with both Greenacres Foundation and the Cincinnati Nature Center.

Melody has been a valuable asset to our board with her experience in conservation education. We are grateful for the time and knowledge you have shared with us. Thank you Melody for all your contributions.

Posted in: board of supervisors
November 26, 2019

Clermont SWCD Thanks Our 2019 Cooperators

By

Thanks to all our Cooperators for all the Conservation Best Management Practices Installed this Year

Roy Barger Jr. Brush Management
Bob Bolce Brush Management
Cornwell Family Partnership Cover Crops
Robert Fee Cover Crops
Scott Forman Cover Crops
James Fulton Cover Crops
Louise Gartner Cover Crop, Nutrient Mgt., Roof Runoff Structure (2), Subsurface Drain (2)
Charles Grant Nutrient Management
Jason Grant Nutrient Management (2)
James Grosnickle Cover Crops
Harold Herron Cover Crops
Ted Hollaender Nutrient Mgt. (5), Cover Crops (2), Residue and Tillage Management
John Hutchinson Nutrient Management, Cover Crops
Tim Jarman Nutrient Management Plan
Lori Lenhart Cover Crops
Michelle McClain Brush Management
James Metzger Brush Management (2)
Jeremy Mount Brush Management
Andrew Mueller Tree/Shrub Site Prep, Wildlife Structures
Jeremy Myers Nutrient Mgt., Residue and Tillage Mgt.
Anthony Panetta Cover Crops
Richard Rosselot Cover Crops (2), Nutrient Management (2)
Paul Schmidt Cover Crops
Wesley Scott Cover Crops
Donald Smith Brush Management (2)
James Stahl Nutrient Management (2), Cover Crops
John Stahl Nutrient Management (2)
Galye Taylor Cover Crops
Jason Tolliver Cover Crops, Brush Management
Varick Family Trust Brush Management (3)
Laura Weber Herbaceous Weed Control, Brush Management
David Werring Nutrient Management (3), Cover Crops (4)
Tim Werring Nutrient Management
Tony Werring Nutrient Management
Wiederhold Farms Nutrient Management (2), Cover Crops (2)
Wolfer Farms Cover Crops (2)
Timothy Zurmehly Cover Crops (2)

*(2)- Number of practices completed

Posted in: best management practices, cooperators
November 26, 2019

What Exactly is Nutrient Management?

By

Nutrient management is not always a conservation practice that one can visually see in the field, but more of a management change. The goal of this practice is to reduce the amount of nutrient loss into our waterways with science based fertilizer/manure application rates based on crop needs and soils. This practice follows the 4-R’s of nutrient management; the right source, right rate, right time, and right place.

Producers follow guidelines to safely apply their nutrients in a sustainable manner. This may include updated soil testing, variable rate applications, no surface applications on frozen or snow covered grounds, limited fall nitrogen applications and nutrient applications that follow the Tri-State Fertility Guide recommendations to name a few.

The end results is economical crop yields, decreased amount of nutrient loss, and enhanced water quality. This practice provides a written plan for producers to follow for their farms’ specific needs. The end result is greening up our fields and not our lakes and rivers.

Posted in: best management practices, Harmful algal blooms, Uncategorized