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Autumn 2025 Solutions
Winter 2026 Puzzles
Do you have everything you need to apply for a stormwater permit? Use the I Have a Project questionnaire to be sure!
By Matt Christian
Winter is upon us. When we’re not thinking about snuggling up to a fire to stay warm, planning skiing trips, drinking hot chocolate, and cleaning snow off our driveways, we begin to start thinking about projects we’d like to do when the weather breaks. This could involve building something on your property; maybe an addition, new garage, pole barn, shed, or possibly a pond. If you are thinking about a project like this, you may need to contact our office about obtaining a Stormwater Permit.
Richland SWCD implements the Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Regulation program on behalf of the Richland County Commissioners. This program was created to ensure that disturbed soil from construction stays on site and does not run off the property. It also considers how rainwater will flow off of new buildings, driveways, and concrete and that it outlets in a way to encourage water to soak into the soil onsite.
If you need a Stormwater Permit, we want to make sure the process is as smooth and painless as possible. We have two technicians that are happy to assist you with the permitting process, Sam Foley and Zoe Baumberger. A few years ago, we developed an interactive questionnaire that will assist you in making sure that you have everything you need before you come see Sam or Zoe, It is called “I Have a Project” and it’s located on our website, Richlandswcd.net (linked below).
It asks you a series of questions about your project then provides a list of all the other permits or documents you will need to get before you apply for a Stormwater Permit. It will even prepare you whether to expect a permit fee or not. The goal of “I Have a Project” was to inform applicants of what they needed before coming in. One of the most frustrating things for applicants is to make the trip to the office to get the permit only to find out they actually have to leave and go acquire a septic permit first, for example, then make another trip back to the office.
So, if you’re looking to complete a project in Richland County, please check out “I Have a Project”. There are a couple of different ways to find it on our website:
If you have any questions about the permit process, please contact Sam Foley at (419) 747-8077 or Zoe Baumberger at (419) 774-8986.
ODA cover crop demonstration update!
By Jordan Keller
With assistance from the Ohio Department of Agriculture and cooperation from a local producer, Richland SWCD installed two overwintering cover crop demonstration plots after the harvest of a soybean crop in Fall of 2025. Following harvest, the field was lightly tilled by the producer to allow for better seed-soil contact. On September 24, 2025, we broadcast a rye/oat cover crop mix at a rate of ~60 pounds per acre (lbs/ac) across 0.1ac of the lightly tilled farmland. Then on October 8, 2025, we broadcast a rye-only cover crop at ~60lbs/ac on a 0.1ac plot directly adjacent to the first plot. The plots were monitored bi-weekly until going dormant at the end of November. The following is what we’ve observed so far:
We will revisit the plots this Spring as they come out of dormancy and continue our biweekly monitoring until the cover crops are terminated. For cover crop rates and seeding dates reference NRCS appendix A. The goal of the demonstration is to gain a better understanding of the overall impact of NRCS appendix A (download below) cover crop seeding dates and rates across Ohio.
Updates from the final quarter of 2025 and advice on preventing runoff through snow melt.
By Sam Foley
Our final quarter of the year brought in fewer permits than the summer months, but that’s to be expected. Despite the unpredictable winter weather, we still issued 8 permits for commercial projects and 59 residential permits between October 1 and December 31, 2025. Of those 59 residential permits, 41 of them were some sort of exemption.
In 2025 we issued a total of 385 stormwater permits and performed over 700 site inspections.
Please remember, if you are moving soil in the unincorporated areas of Richland County you need to consult with us about a stormwater permit to ensure you are following the Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Regulations of Richland County. Reference Matt Christian’s article on what information and documents you need to obtain a stormwater permit.
How about a stormwater minute? Even though colder weather is here, and the ground is mostly frozen, you can still find Zoe and I out and about performing site inspections. Frozen ground could maybe be considered temporarily stabilized, but as soon as the thaw comes, the potential for runoff and erosion concerns is very high! Snow melting can contribute to runoff volume and if you are unable to achieve permanent stability in the fall, chances are you are going to see some erosion and soil loss as the ground thaws. Please ensure that you are monitoring site conditions and add the appropriate sediment controls as needed. If you need advice on managing your site, please give us a call, we are happy to help. Be sure to have a plan in place for finish grading and seeding as the warmer weather returns in the spring. Please keep in mind that we don’t consider the permit requirements completed until your site reaches permanent stability.
Thanks to the generosity of the Fran and Warren Rupp Fund of the Richland County Foundation, we have a marketing internship available.
By Theresa Sutter
Thanks to the generosity of the Fran and Warren Rupp Fund of the Richland County Foundation, we have a paid marketing internship available for a college student. The intern will gain hands-on experience in the areas of graphic design, writing press releases, and social media plus learn about soil and water conservation. Information about the internship is available at: https://richlandswcd.net/get-involved/careers-and-Internships/
The easiest and most immediate step you can take towards healthy soil is mulching. Learn how!
By Sam Foley
I’m going to let the audience in on a secret today; I’m incredibly passionate about healthy soil. I love talking to folks about their soil test results and discussing ideas to increase soil health. The easiest and most immediate step you can take towards healthy soil is mulching. The benefits a mulch layer can add to your garden are listed below:
Mulch can be made of almost any material and is simply a cover spread over top of our growing media to enrich and insulate that media. My favorite mulches are organic options. Several examples of commonly used organic mulch are compost, leaf litter, straw, grass clippings, shredded bark, and rice hulls. Another option could be a living mulch. This could be made up of cover crops or even herbs, that grow as companions to a target crop. Living mulch can be “chopped and dropped”, cut and laid on the surface of soil, providing an additional layer of cover. Organic mulch not only provides the traditional benefits of mulch, but it also adds nutrients back into the soil as it slowly breaks down over time. This is a regenerative solution that can help build up soil health year after year.
Soil in your garden should never be left bare. Keeping soil covered with mulch and cover crops is essential to soil health. Always maintain a layer and leave mulch in place year-round. If you’re looking for guidance or just want to chat about growing, please reach out to me! Stay tuned for future articles on gardening.
Guidance on applying nutrients to farm fields and working in a floodplain.
By Matt Wallace
Field Nutrients and You
Application of nutrients prior to planting is common and may be seen throughout farm fields in Richland County. It is recommended that nutrients be placed on your field and tilled into the soil before you plant. If that can’t be done, apply nutrients once the crop begins to grow. Both options allow for the biggest return on your investment (fuel, time, wear and tear on equipment) and the best chance for waterways to not be polluted.
Placing manure on snow covered, frozen, or rain-saturated ground is discouraged. Nutrients produced on your farm or brought in from other sources can readily leave your farm fields through melting snow or saturated soils. A good rule of thumb is to not apply nutrients when there is a chance of a half inch of rain or more. Winter applications are only recommended if there isn’t any more manure storage space available. In that case, only apply enough to free up the amount of storage space needed.
Additional best management practices include looking for tile blowouts and fixing them before nutrient application. During drier times when soil may be deeply cracked, utilize a tillage implement to close the soil cracks and keep nutrients from directly accessing field tiles.
Setbacks are highly recommended by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) to keep your nutrients on fields. The recognized setback standards to follow may be found in the United States Department of Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) 590-CSP-1 document. Click on the link below to access the document, pick up a copy in our office, or request it be emailed. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/nutrient-management-ac-590-conservation-practice-standard
Floodplain 101
What is a floodplain? A floodplain is an area adjacent to a river, stream, or low-lying area that is adjacent to another water body that becomes overwhelmed with water during times of heavy and/or prolonged rainfall or when snow melts. Typically, these areas contain soils that are nutrient rich and identified as being hydric, or very wet.
How are floodplains and maps determined? These unique areas are determined by multiple factors such as topography, soils, proximity, engineering, historic floods, and photographs of historic floods.
Floodplain maps, officially known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), show areas of high, moderate, and low-flood risk which are shown as series of zones. Communities use maps to set minimum building requirements for coastal areas and floodplains; lenders use them to determine flood insurance needs and costs.
Filling and building within the floodplain may come with many challenges which may be costly. Additional requirements for building in a floodplain may include but is not limited to hydraulic/hydrologic studies, additional permits, elevation of entire structures, and additional compaction. These construction standards can influence decisions like “Should I build here? or Should I purchase this property?”.
Each municipality and community has a set of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved regulations for their communities designed to help improve the safety of a community’s residents and plan future development. Regulations vary within Richland County due to each municipality adopting their own regulations. Check the regulations of the municipality under consideration before purchasing or developing property. Richland Soil and Water Conservation District serves as the Floodplain Administrator and Floodplain Manager for Richland County. We encourage you to reach out to us before purchasing or developing a property.
For a location of the flood zones in Richland County, visit https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home.
Learn about the benefits of planting natives!
By Rachel Coy
Why is planting native species important?
Native plants and vegetation have historically evolved in the locations they are found, and their evolution coincides with that of the soil, water/drainage, climate, topography, and site history. These plants are adapted to the conditions of a certain area, and in nature nothing happens by accident. Good land management practices include utilizing native species to fill out resource concerns and goals before resorting to non-native alternatives. Along with the native plants being adapted to the conditions of a given site, native wildlife has been evolving and depending on these species throughout their mutual history with one another. A few examples are monarch and milkweed, bee balm and hawk moths, spice bush and the spicebush swallow tail, the list goes on and on.
Why would non-native species be desirable?
A general lack of knowledge on the topic is usually how non-natives find their way into our landscape. Native plants can almost always address the goals of landowners without adding the potential for future landscape escapement, possibility of natives not getting pollinated for future populations, and energy being focused on conserving the WRONG species. A lot of our invasive species were brought over for one of three reasons: intentional landscape management (i.e. autumn olive on reclaimed mine land), beautification (i.e. Bradford Pear in garden beds), or the unintentional transport of the seeds/ species. To be non-native simply means the plant is growing outside of its native range. A non-native invasive is growing outside its native range, has escaped its controlled setting into neighboring landscapes, and has an advantage over the native species that grow there (i.e. prolific seed spreader, longer growing season, etc.) Additionally, natural checks that keep this species in balance in its natural range no longer exist (herbivore partners, insects and pests, disease, etc.) Plants observed in their native range typically are seen as well behaved based on observations from the species’ host territory, where it belongs and behaves accordingly with surrounding vegetation, as opposed to the transplanted site where it may have advantages over the natives on site.
What can you do?
There are a lot of non-native species that are hot commodities in landscaping! Things like butterfly bush, burning bush, miscanthus for deer hunters, and so many more. Below is a list of native alternatives to popular landscape plants:
By utilizing natives in your landscape plantings, we are not only achieving the aesthetic factor many are drawn to, but the environmental factors that often don’t get considered.
2026 brings a new MS4 theme: Only Rain Down the Drain! Learn more by clicking.
By Zoe Baumberger
In the final quarter of 2025, we inspected our MS4 township garage facilities to confirm their good housekeeping practices. We enjoyed catching up with the township road supervisors and discussing our plans for the new permit term, which will run from 2026 to 2030.
2026 brings a new MS4 theme: Only Rain Down the Drain!
Many people don’t realize that, unlike a sanitary sewer, the water that enters a storm drain or ditch is NOT treated. There’s no filtration or disinfection process. Stormwater simply flows (often through a system of pipes, culverts, and catch basins) to the nearest stream, lake, or river. That means anything the water picks up along the way (from litter to oil) is carried into our local waterways. What goes down the drain goes into our environment.
Join us throughout 2026 as we highlight simple ways to protect our waterbodies. If you’re planning a project this year, come get your stormwater permit to ensure you’re only sending rain down the drain. Small choices can make a big impact! Learn more here: https://www.onlyraindownthedrain.com/
The Ohio Lake Management Society (OLMS) honored Theresa Rozic Sutter, Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator…
The Ohio Lake Management Society (OLMS) honored Theresa Rozic Sutter, Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator, the Innovation in Lake Management Award for 2025 in recognition of her contributions to water quality education and outreach in Richland County. Theresa credits District volunteers for their commitment to monitoring Charles Mill Lake, Clear Fork Reservoir, and Pleasant Hill Lake and considers it an award for them and the District.
Since joining Richland SWCD in 2013, Theresa has worked to advance the district’s mission to conserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of Richland County, with focus on the health of the county’s soil and water resources. Carter Bailey of OLMS shared, “Due to her innovative and tireless commitment working with individuals and organizations, Mrs. Sutter consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to public education, outreach, and engagement, using a variety of platforms and programs to increase awareness of water quality.”
Theresa’s approach to community engagement includes leading workshops, district sales, volunteer programs, and school and youth education initiatives among other efforts. Additionally, Theresa has effectively utilized social media and community events to reach a broader audience, ensuring residents across Richland County are informed of local soil and water conservation efforts and volunteer opportunities. Theresa’s efforts embody the importance of local involvement and fostering community-driven efforts to protect and improve water quality.
Richland County is unique in that it contains eight distinct watersheds, compared to the more typical one per county. These watersheds are critical to water quality, as three flow to Lake Erie and five to the Ohio River. The county is also home to several important water bodies, including Charles Mill Lake, Clear Fork Reservoir, and Pleasant Hill Lake—all vital to environmental health and recreational activities. Learn more about watersheds in Richland County.
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District participated in this year’s Richland Gives, an online donation platform designed to…
By Theresa Sutter
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District participated in this year’s Richland Gives, an online donation platform designed to encourage people to contribute to local nonprofits they care about through a single giving website. It is hosted by The Richland County Foundation to build capacity, grow philanthropy, and make the community stronger.
Due to the generosity of donors, $1,000.00 was raised to provide free quarterly Conservation Creation Arts & Crafts Workshops this year for up to 25 people. In the past, participants were charged to cover the cost of workshop supplies. Funds will buy supplies needed for the craft or art project.
The workshops pair an educational topic about the natural world with a related craft or art project and allow participants to learn more about the services and programs offered by the District. They bring people together in an informal setting where they learn about topics related to soil and water conservation but also visit with each other, build community, and be creative. Each evening is fun and educational. Register for the April 14 workshop at https://richlandswcd.net/event/conservation-creation-arts-craft-workshop-spring-seeds/.
Highlights from Richland SWCD”s 2025 Annual Celebration!
By Theresa Sutter
We held our annual celebration on September 11, bringing together partners, volunteers, elected officials and community members to share the District’s mission and the past year’s accomplishments. The celebration included recognition of outstanding contributions, highlights of the District’s impact and the re-election of Leonard Fox to our Board of Supervisors.
The Ohio State University at Mansfield was awarded the Cooperator of the Year award for their work at the EcoLab. In addition to their efforts being recognized by the District, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), Ohio Senator Mark Romachuk, Ohio Representative Marilyn John, Richland County Commissioners and Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry provided proclamations, commendations and certificates of accomplishment.
The award was accepted by Dr. Jason Opal, Dean and Director at The Ohio State University, and accompanied by Cynthia Callahan, Associate Dean of Student Enrichment and Professor of English and Gabriel Karns, Assistant Professor School of Environment and Natural Resources and EcoLab Director.
The EcoLab at The Ohio State University at Mansfield campus is an umbrella term inclusive of all the outdoor assets on campus. Among other features, the Ecolab consists of a maple research sugarbush complete with maple syrup production, woodland and wildlife management showcase areas, Right-of-Way Pollinator demonstration plots, vernal pools, hiking trails with interpretive signage and the Grant and Mary Milliron Research Wetlands and Classroom.
The EcoLab provides educational workshops and programs to the public. It also fosters partnerships with public and private entities on a range of natural resource and environmental topics.
Dr. Jason Opal said The Ohio State University at Mansfield is intentional and forthright about their moral and ethical responsibilities to take care of the campus.
Congratulations to the Ohio State University at Mansfield on receiving this distinguished award and for being a good steward and example to others about responsible land management and education.
Volunteers help monitor streams, lakes and precipitation. They volunteer at workshops, community events, photography and in the office. So far this year, 72 volunteers have donated over 2,000 hours and saved the general fund approximately $ 69,000. Thank you, volunteers!
We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all volunteers, but each year we recognize an exceptional individual who has gone above and beyond to help us achieve our mission. We’re thrilled to announce this year’s Volunteer of the Year recipient is Elaine Oswald.
Elaine has volunteered with Richland Soil and Water Conservation District since 2016. She volunteers as a precipitation monitor and provides daily reports of rain and snow amounts on our website that is reported in real-time and used by the public, other volunteers, gardeners, community developers, elected officials and many more. Elaine said she volunteers with us because she has always been interested in conservation of our natural resources and felt monitoring precipitation was an easy way to participate. She holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and geology. As part of her education, she studied soils and is an avid gardener.
Her contribution to the District was also recognized at the Annual Celebration by the Richland County Commissioners, Ohio Senator Mark Romanchuk, Ohio Representative Marilyn John and Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry.
Congratulations and thank you for volunteering with us, Elaine!
We wish him well in his future educational and career pursuits.
Thanks to Daniel Karger for working with us this summer as a marketing intern! We wish him well in his future educational and career pursuits.
Daniel said, “This Internship has been such a great experience. I have been able to dive into real world marketing tasks, like attending events and creating social media posts, to help get me started in honing my skills for the future. It has been eye-opening to see how the world of marketing as well as conservation works. I have learned so much that I will take with me moving forward. I am proud of the work that I have done and am appreciative of the ability to learn from the things that didn’t quite go to plan.”
Thank you to the Fran and Warren Rupp Fund of the Richland County Foundation for funding the internship.
Keep dirt where it belongs by using BMPs!
By Zoe Baumberger
Over the past couple months, we’ve taken a deep dive into the importance of keeping dirt in place and using proper stabilization techniques to prevent erosion. Last quarter, we covered some of the different types of erosion. For this final quarter we’re focusing on the Best Management Practices (BMPs) used to control erosion and sediment on construction sites.
Sediment and erosion controls work hand in hand to keep dirt in its place. Sediment controls are designed to stop sediment from leaving a construction site and reaching storm drains, roads and neighboring properties. BMPs like silt fences, check dams, fiber rolls and inlet protection act as physical barriers to trap sediment on-site.
Erosion controls such as seeding, mulching, riprap and erosion control blankets/mating help prevent erosion from occurring in the first place by providing stabilization. These practices are key in protecting bare soil from wind and water erosion because the roots, stones, or mats hold the soil in place by covering it from the elements. Erosion controls are simple yet effective! Both sediment and erosion controls are critical tools for maintaining compliance and protecting our waterways from sediment pollution. If you’re wondering which BMP is best for you, please don’t hesitate to call our office at 419-747-8986.
As we wrap up this year long series, it all comes back to one simple principle: keep the dirt where it belongs. Soil is one of our most valuable resources but when it leaves a site it becomes a pollutant. Every mat laid down, seed planted and silt fence trenched in plays a part in preventing erosion and protecting water quality. If there’s one thing to remember going forward it’s that good site management begins with keeping dirt in place.
Learn about soil testing with Richland SWCD and how to interpret results.
By Sam Foley
Background
One of the most common questions we get is “How can I increase the soil health in my home garden?” A soil test is the simple answer. Our office offers soil testing through Spectrum Analytic Inc, a laboratory out of Washington Court House, Ohio. According to Spectrum Analytic “A soil test is one’s best single guide in determining the strength of each link in the plant nutrient chain. The weak link sets the ceiling on crop yield potential. A soil test identifies the weak link or links.” These weak links are specific nutrient values where your soil may be lacking. Additionally, soil testing is a great tool for someone interested in conservation because after we know the nutrient content of the soil, we can amend only what is needed. This helps avoid applying excessive nutrients, which can be lost to runoff, and saves the grower money. A soil test is only as beneficial as our understanding of the report so I am going to use this space to describe each parameter included in the basic test and how to take the best sample you possibly can.
How to Take a Soil Sample
Soil test results are only going to be as accurate as the sample that was collected. We have a great description of how to collect the best representative sample. Please follow this link for additional information: https://richlandswcd.net/residential/soil/#soil-testing
Interpreting Results
You’ve submitted your sample and have received a report, so what does it all mean? Well, that’s part of what I’m here for, to help interpret these charts and graphs. I’m always happy to discuss these reports and try to always give my quick recap when forwarding results to owners. This section will provide a brief explanation of each parameter from the Basic Soil Test.
Recommendations
This section is provided based on the target crop, and if provided, yield goals. Nutrient recommendations are given in pounds per acre and can easily be converted to match one’s target area. Not only are nutrient recommendations provided but also recommendations for adjusting pH to the desired level. Lime is prescribed in situations where pH is too acidic, and sulfur is used to lower pH when soil is too alkaline. Following the provided recommendations should result in more ideal production in one’s garden.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever considered testing the soil in your home garden hopefully this article has provided a good overview of what to expect from the test report and how to begin to interpret those results. Soil testing is a great tool in the conservationist’s belt. Only applying what is needed saves time, money and resources. By following the recommendations provided we can begin to build up our soil into the healthiest state it’s been in a long time. Stay tuned for future articles as I plan to explore more ways to build up our soil by increasing levels of organic matter via composting.
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Discover options for autumn leaf management.
By Matt Christian
Fall is officially here! Now we can look forward to cool-crisp temperatures, apple picking, Friday night football games, pumpkin spice and beautiful fall foliage. Let’s go back to that beautiful fall foliage though. The color change of tree leaves is one of the many perks we get for living in the northern part of the United States. The leaves of the deciduous trees lose their chlorophyll in the fall, exposing their natural brilliant colors. Unfortunately, those colors don’t hang around too long, those same leaves fall from the trees, lose their beautiful colors and become an issue for many property owners.
The most common, socially accepted solution to dealing with dead leaves is to get rid of them. Some people burn them, others bag them and have them hauled away with the garbage while some rake them to the road curb and have a city or township suck them up and haul them away. These are viable ways to rid yourself from these leaves, but I would like to suggest a few alternate and environmentally friendly options for you to consider.
1. Leave them- No rake
This method is pretty self-explanatory. When the leaves fall naturally from the trees onto your lawn or landscaping, it can offer many benefits. Oftentimes people are concerned that the leaves will choke out their grass or plants and kill them. However, when leaves fall naturally, they are not typically thick enough to kill any vegetation. The layer of leaves on the ground will offer habitat to many wildlife species and as they break down over fall and winter, they will provide organic matter and nutrients to your soil, benefiting your lawn and plants.
2. Leave them- Mow them
If you’re concerned that the leaves will kill your lawn, you can let them fall, then mow over them instead of raking.The mowing (preferably a mulching mower deck) will break up the leaves, freeing your grass from a dense leaf blanket. This might not have as many wildlife benefits as not mowing them, but it will still begin the decomposition process and add organic material and nutrients to your lawn soil.
3. Pile them
Not a fan of any leaves on your lawn? Well, you could still rake or blow them off the lawn into piles. You could place these piles off the lawn and start a compost pile. This pile would have habitat benefits to many wildlife species but would also have the benefit of providing a high-quality compost material that could then be later placed on areas where you may want to improve structure and enrich the soil. You could also add branches or sticks to the pile and offer a complex wildlife habitat.
4. Mulch them
Another option is to rake the leaves and use them as winter mulch on your flower beds. The decomposing leaves will again offer great wildlife habitat, but they will help protect your plants’ roots, suppress weeds, preserve soil moisture and when they breakdown they will return nutrients to your soil.
What I like to do in my own backyard is this; I have a large pine tree with a small circular bed constructed around it. When I moved in, my wife and I discovered that the soil in this bed was very hard with no organic material in it. We tried to plant flowers there, but even hardy plants could not survive. So, what I do is blow my backyard leaves into piles and suck them up with my leaf blower/vacuum. The leaf vacuum slightly chops up the leaves on their way into a bag. I then empty the bags and pile them on this bed with low quality soil. By the time summer rolls around, the thickness of the leaves has decomposed to only a couple inches thick. My plan is to keep doing this until a nice organic layer has built up and eventually plant flowers there.
My intention is to encourage people to take advantage of a free, renewable and valuable resource. Disposing of leaves can be very expensive and labor intensive, so why not utilize what is already available and at the same time improve soil on your property and benefit wildlife?
Stormwater permit numbers and soil stabilization requirements.
By Sam Foley
Our third quarter of 2025 brought in quite a few stormwater permits. We issued 5 permits for commercial projects between July 1 and September 30. We also issued 106 residential permits during that same time frame with 63 of those being some sort of exemption.
Please remember, if you are moving soil in the unincorporated parts of Richland County you need to consult with us about a stormwater permit to ensure you are following the Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Regulations.
And now for a Stormwater Minute: Did you know that the county’s Stormwater Management Regulations have a section outlining the requirements for soil stabilization? We’ve defined soil stabilization as “Vegetative or structural soil cover controlling erosion, including permanent and temporary seed, mulch, sod, netting, jute mat and silt fence.” Temporary stabilization should be provided for rough graded areas that will be idle for longer than 30 days. Upon achieving final grade, permanent stabilization should be installed within seven days. Any portion of a site within 50 feet of a stream, wetland, or other body of water should be stabilized immediately. Be sure to use appropriate measures for the time of year, site conditions, and length of use. If you need advice on seeding schedules, we are always happy to help. As summer ends and cooler weather rolls in, it is an ideal time to plant grass seed and stabilize your site. Please plan accordingly to prevent soil loss and stay in compliance with the Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Regulations.
We had fun interacting and engaging with Richland County Fair visitors the first week of August at the Nature Park!
By Theresa Sutter
We had fun interacting and engaging with Richland County Fair visitors the first week of August at the Nature Park! This year we highlighted stormwater management practices. We provided benefits and examples of cover crops, silt fences, native plants and rain barrels.
First place winner in the rain drop contest was Kackie and she is now the proud owner of a rain barrel. Helena was the second-place winner and she won a basket of native plants.
Our stormwater cornhole provided visitors with an interactive experience that showed what happens in our waterways when pollutants go down the storm drain. It also incorporated practices that help prevent pollution.
On Kids Day we worked with our partners to hold the scavenger hunt. Kids had fun walking through the exhibit space and nature park grounds to find clues and interact with exhibitors. Thanks to Richland County Solid Waste Management Authority for providing prizes for the three hourly winners.
Enrollment data for Crop Years 2026-2027 and announcing our new cover crop demonstration plot with assistance from ODA!
By Jordan Keller
Happy Harvest Season! The deadline for H2Ohio participation in Crop Years 2026-2027 was September 15th, 2025. I am pleased to report that we have enrolled 40 producers with 31,367.8 acres through the Richland SWCD office. This is roughly a 45% increase from initial acreage enrollment numbers in 2021! Approximately 2,800 acres were added on the September 15th deadline, making for a sprint to the finish line.
Next, we will be working with crop advisors and ag retailers to develop our H2Ohio participants 2026/2027 nutrient management plans by uploading soil test data and cropping information onto the MyFarms platform.
I am currently working on wrapping up 2025 H2Ohio practice verifications as we make the transition to the 2026/2027 contracts.
With assistance from ODA and cooperation from a local producer, Richland SWCD will be doing a cover crop demonstration plot after harvest in 2025. We plan on hitting two cover crop seeding windows across an ~25’ x 350’ area. The first seeding window started on Sept. 21. On Sept. 23rd we broadcasted a rye/oat mix.
Between Oct. 4– Nov. 1 we will be broadcasting straight rye. Cover crop rates and seeding dates reference NRCS appendix A. The goal of the demonstration is to gain a better understanding of the overall impact of NRCS cover crop seeding dates across Ohio.
