How small changes in car care can protect local waterways
Your car provides convenience, but runoff from road salt, fluid leaks, and driveway washing harms local streams. Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District shares simple habits to prevent stormwater pollution and keep northeast Ohio waterways clean year-round.
How virtual fencing is simplifying rotational grazing for farmers
Rotational grazing boosts pasture health and extends grazing seasons, but infrastructure costs can hold many farmers back. Monroe SWCD's Wyatt Feldner talks in this week's Dirt on Conservation column about how virtual fencing technology uses solar GPS collars and smartphone apps to easily manage livestock boundaries without building internal fences.
Summer pasture management: Tips to protect forage and extend grazing
As summer temperatures rise, cool-season grasses slow down. Dylan Stine of the Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation District offers practical advice on slowing down livestock rotations, stockpiling fescue for winter, and keeping summer weeds in check to maximize your forage.
Don’t let your soil turn into chocolate milk
Recent summer rains are washing away valuable farm soil. Columbiana SWCD’s Pete Conkle breaks down how cover crops protect fields from erosion, improve soil health, and boost nutrients. Learn how to start small with an oat and radish mix and explore application methods like drone seeding.
Why true conservation needs to start in our own backyards
While parks protect wild spaces, they can give the false impression that nature only belongs there. Stark Soil and Water Conservation District's Todd A. Clark shares a nostalgic look at shifting natural baselines and explains why small-scale conservation at home is vital for inspiring the next generation.
What can the Wildlife Habitat Initiative do for you?
The Wildlife Habitat Initiative is a new partnership offering up to 95% reimbursement for conservation practices. Whether planting pollinator plots or clearing invasive species, learn how to qualify through the USDA to improve your land for native wildlife.
Summer manure application: How to protect your nutrients and neighbor relations
Summer manure application after wheat harvest is a great way to recycle nutrients, but it requires a plan. Ashland SWCD's Jane Houin talks about how pairing manure with cover crops protects water quality, stretches your fertilizer dollar and how proactive communication keeps neighbor relations strong.
Cover crops build resilience into Ohio farms
Don't let another dry season catch you unprepared. Carroll SWCD's Lindsay Short explains how combining no-till farming with late-summer cover crops after your wheat harvest can dramatically improve soil water retention, suppress weeds, and provide high-quality winter forage for livestock.
Go green and save green: Why it’s time to switch to organic lawn care
Synthetic lawn fertilizers fuel harmful algal blooms and drain your wallet. Geauga SWCD explains how transitioning to natural, organic lawn care practices builds healthy soil, protects local water quality, and creates a low-maintenance yard that saves you money.
Digging into soil education in Medina County
Public outreach is vital for soil health. Eric Hange, Medina Soil and Water Conservation District manager, discusses the power of hands-on tools like rainfall simulators in teaching students about erosion, infiltration, and the critical role of microorganisms in the ground beneath our feet.
