Election Notice

About

The Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission will cause an election of Supervisors of the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to be held in accordance with Chapter 940 of the Ohio Revised Code. Individuals who own or occupy land within the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District and are 18 years of age or older may vote for Supervisor.

There are 3 ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot:

1.) At the SWCD office, 1495 W. Longview Avenue; Suite 205-B, Mansfield, from 8/14/2025 until 9/11/2025 during normal business hours; or

2.) At the SWCD Annual Meeting, which will take place at Area Agency on Aging- Hawkins Center located at 2131 Park Avenue West, Ontario on 9/11/2025 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM ; or

3.) Voting absentee from 8/14/2025 until 9/4/2025, by requesting the ballot application and election ballot from the SWCD office at the following address 1495 W. Longview Ave; Suite 205-B, Mansfield, OH 44906, by calling 419-747-8686, or email election@richlandswcd.net. Absentee ballots must be received by the SWCD office by 9/11/2025 at 8:30 AM.

Supervisors will be elected to a three‐year term commencing January 1, 2026 and ending December 31, 2028. The Board of Supervisors create an annual and long-term plan of operation that protects the District’s mission and vision and are interested, conservation-minded, local leaders who promote conservation of the county’s natural resources through education, planning and technical assistance which are key to the success of the District. Supervisors are elected to a three-year term as a public official and serve without pay. Supervisors advocate for the District, attend and participate in monthly board meetings, assist with District programs and services and attend area and state meetings.

Nominees are:

Leonard N. Fox

Hot Days, Cool Events: What’s Happening This Summer

Our Calendar of Events is packed with exciting opportunities to learn, connect and get involved. Click to see what’s in store!

Brain Games for Sunny Days

Download and play our word puzzles for some interactive newsletter fun! We have a word search for little conservationists and a crossword for those of you who want more of a challenge.

Spring 2025 Answers

Spring 2025 Crossword Answers Download

Spring 2025 Word Search Answers Download

New Summer Puzzles

Summer 25 Crossword Download

Summer 25 Wordsearch Download

New Spring Puzzles and Winter Solutions

Download and play our word puzzles for some interactive newsletter fun! We have a word search for little conservationists and a crossword for those of you who want more of a challenge.

Winter 2025 Answers

Winter 2025 Word Search Answers Download

Winter 2025 Crossword Answers Download

Spring 2025 Puzzles

Spring 2025 Word Search Download

Spring 2025 Crossword Download

Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Events You Won’t Want To Miss

Curious about what we have planned for 2025? Our Calendar of Events is packed with exciting opportunities to learn, connect, and get involved. Click to see what’s in store for this year!

January and February Events

For our full list of upcoming events – including Board Supervisor meetings – go to our calendar by following the link at the bottom of this page.

Our Full Calendar of Events

Click here for 2025 fun!

Looking Ahead: 2025 Goals to Enhance Conservation and Community Engagement

As we step into 2025, our team is excited to share goals and resolutions that will guide our efforts throughout the year.

As we step into 2025, our team is excited to share goals and resolutions that will guide our efforts throughout the year. Each team member has set their sight on impactful initiatives designed to protect natural resources, support local landowners, enhance community engagement, and promote environmental stewardship. These resolutions reflect our shared commitment to making a positive difference in our county and beyond. Here’s a look at just some of what we aim to accomplish this year.

Matt Christian – Director

In 2025 Matt hopes to strengthen our district’s impact by fostering new partnerships and growing existing programs that protect our natural resources.

Zoe Baumberger – District Technician

In 2025 Zoe hopes to organize two impactful events focused on promoting stormwater management and environmental stewardship, with a particular emphasis on engaging MS4 communities.

Sam Foley – District Technician

In 2025 Sam is going to continue to focus on commercial stormwater permits. This includes catching up on our backlog of commercial pipeline inspections. In 2024 we inspected over 40 pipeline projects that had previously been issued stormwater permits. Most of these projects are in remote locations that aren’t always easily accessible or easy to find.

Jordan Keller – District Technician

In 2025 Jordan is going to revamp the Rain Garden and Rain Barrel presentation for the annual Rain Garden and Rain Barrel workshop.

Matt Wallace – District Technician

In 2025 Matt would like to host an Agriculture Pollution Abatement Program (APAP) hog manure workshop to teach proper manure application techniques and promote sustainable farming practices.

Theresa Sutter – Marketing & Volunteer Coordinator

In 2025 Theresa wants to learn more about social media and embrace her creative side.

Rachel Coy – Pheasants Forever – Ohio FarmBill Wildlife Biologist

In 2025 Rachel would like to offer a landowner class in Richland County related to treating invasive species in perennial landscapes.

Cozy up with Winter Puzzles: Solutions and New Brain Teasers

Solutions for autumn 2024 and new winter puzzles!

Autumn 2024 Solutions

New Winter Puzzles

Winter Crossword Download

Winter Word Search Download

Another Year in the Books – Richland SWCD’s Annual Celebration, 2024

On September 26th the Richland Soil & Water Conservation District held its Annual Celebration at the Hawkins Center in Ontario (at the Area Agency on Aging). Our Annual Celebration has historically been held in the evenings, but this was the first time it was held as a luncheon. It was a wonderful, event-packed time…

Annual meetings or celebrations are where Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) share accomplishments, provide updates, recognize hard work, and meet the community. Additionally, annual meetings offer a time and space to hold elections for the Board of Supervisors that oversees the Districts.

On September 26^th the Richland Soil & Water Conservation District held its Annual Celebration at the Hawkins Center in Ontario (at the Area Agency on Aging). Our Annual Celebration has historically been held in the evenings, but this was the first time it was held as a luncheon. It was a wonderful, event-packed time.

Director Matt Christian mingling with guests

Staff Accomplishments

Our staff started the afternoon by updating attendees on our various programs and all the hard work they did this past year. Programs covered included: the volunteer program; the Stormwater Permit program; the MS4/NPDES permit; agriculture pollution abatement; H2Ohio; Farmland Preservation, and more.

Cooperator of the Year

We also recognize a Cooperator of the Year every year: an individual, group of individuals, or entity who exhibits exceptional conservation in the County. Neil and Pam McKown of Watershed Ranch were recognized as the 2024 Richland SWCD Cooperator of the Year. Since the McKowns bought their farm they have transformed it into a paradise by implementing many conservation practices.

Staff giving their updates and accomplishments. Theresa Sutter, Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator, giving her presentation.

Volunteer of the Year

In addition to a Cooperator of the Year, we recognize a Volunteer of the Year. Bob Donaldson of Mansfield received the award this year. Bob is one of our rain gauge monitors, but he also made a big difference this past year by sharing his Microsoft Excel expertise with us. By doing so he helped us improve and update many of our organizational spreadsheets. Our workflows and data-capturing are now more efficient and organized thanks to Bob! As a “thank you” for his contribution, a Black Gum tree was planted in his honor in Centennial Park, Lexington.

Tom Holmes, Ohio Department of Agriculture, facilitating the vote for the Board of Supervisors

Supervisor Election and a Thank You to Lanny Hopkins

This year’s supervisor election featured two open seats. Existing Board member, Lanny Hopkins, decided not to run for reelection while existing member, Jean McClintock, ran for reelection. Pam McKown ran for the other vacant seat. After tallying the votes, Jean was reelected and Pam McKown was elected to her first term. Terms run for 3 years and begin in January.

Lanny Hopkins has served on the board since 2018, serving two terms, and has decided to step down. Lanny was most passionate about Black Fork clean-up/log jam removal and continues to work on the initiative. He was presented with a service award as a small token of our appreciation.

If you attended our Annual Celebration, thank you so much! If not, maybe we will see you there next year!

From the News Desk

Don’t miss these special announcements and reminders for Autumn, 2024!

Grant to Help Cultivate Young Minds in Richland County

The Richland County Foundation Gift of Grain Fund Committee has awarded a grant to support Richland SWCD. The grant will fund a collaborative project called Cultivating Minds that brings together Richland SWCD, Richland County Farm Bureau, and the Mansfield Richland County Public Library. It will provide three agricultural and environmental literacy kits to every elementary school in Richland County and at the Mansfield-Richland County Public Library’s main branch.

The goal is to teach elementary youth about agriculture, food, and natural resources. The agricultural kits include a children’s book, a teacher’s guide, and all items needed for a classroom activity. A total of 75 kits will be distributed throughout the county. Many thanks to the Richland County Foundation for making this possible!

It’s Easy to Support Us With Richland Gives

Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) has served Richland County landowners since 1948—that’s 76 years! However, we have not made it this far without help.

Richland Gives is a local online giving campaign held once a year. It encourages people to contribute to local non-profits. The Richland County Foundation hosts this campaign to grow philanthropy and strengthen the community.

Thanks to generous, past donors, Richland SWCD has benefited from Richland Gives. We have turned some donations into grants for soil testing, rain barrels, and native seeds and plants. Donors like you can help us continue to provide a wide range of services – both technical and educational – to the residents of Richland County and conserve our natural resources.

For more information, see the infographic or click the link below to the Richland Foundation. To give to Richland SWCD through the Richland Gives website, click on the GIVE link.

Richland Gives Website – Richland County Foundation

GIVE to Richland SWCD!

Don’t Miss Out!

Highlighted upcoming events for October through January!

Highlighted upcoming events for October, November, December, and January

For our full list of upcoming events – including Board Supervisor meetings – go to our calendar by following the link at the bottom of this page!

October

Fri, Oct. 18 & Sat, Oct. 19 @ 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The Great Pumpkin Glow & Children’s Carnival @ Kingwood Center

Come find our booth on the first two days of this event for some Halloween fun!

Admission is required for Kingwood’s event.

Click here for more info on the Great Pumpkin Glow!

November

Mon. Nov. 18 @ 7:00 am to Tue. Dec. 3 @ 6:59 am

Richland Gives: Early Giving

Richland Gives is a local online giving campaign held once a year. It encourages people to contribute to local non-profits. Thanks to previous generous donors, Richland SWCD has benefited from this campaign.

Want to donate to Richland SWCD or learn how to maximize your donation? See the links below!

Donate to Richland SWCD!

Info on Giving and Maximizing Your Donation