The Dirt on Conservation

Redoximorphic what?? Soil judging is more than collection

Do you all know what type of soil is beneath your feet? Do you know if it’s well drained, primarily silt loam, depth to the water table, etc…? These are all things that should be taken into consideration before roads are constructed, houses are built, or most anything. Soil is the foundation of all that [...]

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A pond is not always just a pond

Since the earliest civilizations, societies have wrestled with a love/hate relationship with the “almighty agua.” We are no exception. In countless ways, we are absolutely dependent on this magical and ever-changing substance. Water fills our cells, flows through our veins and in short, enables us to live. Yet water can also bring us severe hardship, [...]

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Soil and water supervisors needed

As fall is fast approaching many soil and water districts are planning their annual meetings. This means they are looking for qualified candidates to run for their board of supervisors. Each district has five board members, and they are elected for three-year terms. The election takes place at the SWCD’s annual meeting. Residents and landowners [...]

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Why would you want to kill a tree?

What is girdling? When I first heard the term a long time ago, I thought it had to do with woman’s clothing apparel. Of course, I learned and I now know that girdling is a forest improvement practice of cutting off a tree’s “blood flow” in order to end the tree’s life. But why? The [...]

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Soil and dirt are different things

I did not come up with the name for this column; The Dirt on Conservation. I don’t know about you but I do NOT conserve dirt at my house. Actually, I resent the time I spend cleaning to get rid of it! There are many other things I would rather be doing like working in [...]

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Do you have rare plants on your property?

Do you have rare plants? And what do you do if you have them? These questions will be answered Sept. 18 at the Medina County SWCD Annual Meeting. Guest speaker Judy Semroc, a field representative in the Conservation Outreach Program of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, will explain how they help landowners wishing to [...]

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Local food initiatives can help to reconnect consumers to the land

Recently, at the farmers market, a woman rushed over to me excitedly, seeking out the vendor with the fresh eggs that her friend had told her about. “She told me the yolks were deep yellow, and the eggs were the best she had ever tasted! How does he grow them?” she went on to ask. [...]

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Program helps plant cover crops

Locally led conservation programs — they’re what Soil and Water Conservation District supervisors dedicate their time and talents to. SWCDs are governed by five publicly elected volunteer board members, or supervisors, as they are sometimes called. They set the direction for the district based on that county’s conservation needs. The Holmes SWCD aerial cover crop [...]

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Talking worm is newest learning tool

As I tried to put together this article it became clear to me that your local Soil and Water Conservation District is definitely “one stop shopping” for conservation education. While it all changes at the county line, there are many common threads among us as well. The Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District is fortunate [...]

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It’s time to roll out the rain barrel and conserve water

Rain barrels make every drop count. That’s the slogan that begins every one of my rain barrel presentations. Well, OK, I have to confess here that I have done only one actual presentation, but when someone comes into the office looking for rain barrels, I do kind of a mini-presentation for him. The only difference [...]

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Kids caring about conservation

As a kid, I can remember spending the majority of my free time outdoors. Like many kids, I participated in my fair share of sports, and put a countless number of miles on my mountain bike. Yet my fondest memories as a child came from other outdoor activities. When I wasn’t in school or participating [...]

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Water quality trading on horizon in Muskingum River Watershed

On June 17, the Muskingum River Watershed joint board of Soil and Water Conservation Districts met for the first time. The formation of the 20 county joint board is one of the first steps to establish nutrient credit trading within the Muskingum River Watershed. Water quality Nutrient credit trading can be a cost-effective way for [...]

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Community garden becomes a reality

WOODSFIELD, Ohio — Through the diligence of several hard-working individuals in a very short period of time, the Monroe County Community garden has become a reality. Committee In late December, members of the Woodsfield Garden Club teamed up with the Monroe County Master Gardeners and in early 2010 the Monroe County Community Garden Committee was [...]

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Landowners have responsibilities, too, when it comes to oil and gas leases

Could you use some extra money? There are few of us that can say no to that question. Landowners often consider selling minerals, timber, coal, oil, gas, topsoil, development rights, carbon, or wind — but what are the ramifications of these agreements? How and for how long will they affect you and your heirs? Before [...]

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Considering timber harvest? Do your homework

Each weekday morning, I travel the 18 miles to my office at the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District. Most often, I use this quiet time to focus on the day’s agenda or plot my strategies for long-term projects and programs. However, efforts to plan my day have been interrupted over recent months by observations [...]

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Keys to protecting groundwater

Water has been endlessly circulating since the earth was formed. Groundwater is a key part of this continuous cycle as water evaporates, forms clouds and returns to the earth as precipitation. Precipitation that soaks into the ground and is stored in underground geological water systems called aquifers is known as groundwater. Springs, lakes, and other [...]

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Everyone is responsible for land use

“Who’s responsible?” This is the question many landowners will ask us at some point during their property ownership years. Who allowed this to happen? Why didn’t or doesn’t somebody do something about it? Whether the problem occurs on their property or to an adjacent neighbor’s property, the old axiom screams out, who’s responsible? At our [...]

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Seven steps to green yards, gardens

This year, before jumping back into your usual lawn and garden practices, the soil and water conservation districts of Ohio urge you to do something different: Before reaching for that spade or sprayer, dare to try on something green.

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Erosion, sediment control regulations impact more of life than you think

I have a bad habit of assuming that everyone knows all there is to know about erosion/sediment control– that it fascinates and holds the attention of everyone. How could people not want to hear everything there is to know about stuff that is everywhere yet blends into the scenery so easily? I just happen to [...]

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Eastern Ohio Grazing Council aids farmers with grazing questions

By PETE CONKLE It is with great pleasure that I get to introduce you to the Eastern Ohio Grazing Council. This group of local producers, assisted by the local Soil & Water Conservation Districts and the local Natural Resource Conservation Service offers assistance to landowners wanting to learn more about grazing and pastureland management. The [...]

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