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The Hostess with the Mostest: Richland SWCD to Host 2025 Area 2 Envirothon

On April 9, 2025, Richland SWCD will be hosting the Area 2 Envirothon at the Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park.

On April 9, 2025, Richland SWCD will be hosting the Area 2 Envirothon at the Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park. The park is located at 4774 State Route 13, Shiloh, Ohio 44878. The ENVIROTHON is a high school competition designed to stimulate, reinforce and enhance interest in the environment and natural resources. Students are tested on their knowledge of soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology and current environmental issues. In addition, the Envirothon encourages cooperative decision-making and team building. While each student on a team is challenged individually to contribute his or her personal best, the score that counts at the end of the competition is the team score. A team consists of five students, all from the same high school. An adult advisor or advisors must accompany the team but is not permitted to assist the team during the competition.

Every one of Ohio’s 88 counties has a Soil & Water Conservation District. The state is divided into five different areas. Area 2 is the Northeast section of the state and consists of 17 counties. Hosting is rotated among these counties so it doesn’t come to Richland County very often! We are excited to be a part of furthering the interest and education of so many young students while showing off what Richland County has to offer!!

If you would like to be a sponsor for the Envirothon event or would be interesting in volunteering on April 9, please contact our office at (419) 747-8686 or email at rswcd.data@richlandswcd.net.

Cultivating Minds Project Fosters Environmental and Agricultural Education

Richland Soil and Water Conservation District collaborated with the Richland County Farm Bureau to create three environmental and agricultural kits…

Richland Soil and Water Conservation District and the Richland County Farm Bureau donated three environmental and agricultural literacy kits for Richland County elementary schools and the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library.  The kits provide a turnkey lesson plan for kindergarten through sixth-grade educators to instruct students about natural resources, food and agriculture. The kits include children’s books, lesson plans and items needed for an activity. A total of 75 kits were distributed throughout the county in December and this month.

Volunteers Candy Brenner, Ella Hafenstein, Robert Donaldson, and Marilyn Roe, in addition to Richland County Farm Bureau volunteers helped assemble the kits and delivered them to schools.

Individuals, homeschoolers, homeschool groups, scout troops, 4-H clubs and church groups are invited to check out the kits through the MRCPL. Financial support for the Cultivating Minds Project was provided by the Richland County Foundation Gift of Grain Fund, Richland County Youth and Family Council, private donations, and MRCPL.

A private RSWCD donor assembled and funded an additional kit that simulates stream monitoring in an indoor setting. “Water Quality? Ask the Bugs” is a Project Wet lesson for middle and high school students. It may be checked out through MRCPL.

Principal Libby Nickoli of Butler Elementary and a preschool student

Kit Titles and Descriptions are provided below:

Freddy the Fish: K – 6 grades

Participants listen to the story of Freddy the Fish. He decides to travel downstream and witnesses pollution being dumped into his environment. Students are asked how Freddy feels as more pollution is added and come to realize that pollution can add up and impact our environment. Depending on the age of the participants, they can read the story and/or pour the pollutants in the fishbowl to add additional interaction.

Let’s Raise a Barn: 3 – 5 grades

Participants listen to Barn at Night, a book about an after-dark journey out to the barn on a cold winter evening. The students learn about different types of barns and design a barn to meet the needs of a specific farm animal.

Search for the Source: K – 2 and 3 – 5 grades

Participants listen to Right This Very Minute, a table-to-farm book about food and farming. The instructor engages students in discussion about everyday items. Relay teams fill the Source Baskets with pictures of items and discuss the true source of the items.

For additional information, please contact Theresa. We also welcome discussions focused on other opportunities to work with young people.

Team Transitions: Welcoming a New Face and Saying Goodbye

Wish Evan well and welcome our newest intern!

Evan joined Richland SWCD in June of 2021 and quickly became an invaluable part of our team. Wearing many hats, he worked with H2Ohio producers, helped with stormwater permitting, crafted our newsletter, and brought Our Rich Land podcast to life. His commitment and creativity knew no bounds. One of Evan’s favorite parts of his role was connecting with H2Ohio producers and supporting them in every way he could. His passion for making a difference was evident in all he did.

As Evan embarks on a new chapter as Project Coordinator for Philander Chase Conservancy, we feel a mix of pride and bittersweet emotions. We will miss his humor, dedication, organization and the energy he brought to the office every day. Thank you, Evan, for the past three years of hard work and for leaving an unforgettable mark on Richland SWCD. We wish you all the best in this exciting new adventure!

A collage of four images featuring Evan. The top left shows Evan sitting on the side of a white truck in a high-visibility vest. The top right is a portrait of him smiling. The bottom left shows Evan standing next to a car with our logo on the side. The bottom right depicts Evan outdoors, standing in a field speaking to Jordan. The text "Thank you, Evan" is prominently displayed.

We’re excited to welcome Kayla Mitchell, our new marketing intern, to the team! Kayla is a student at Bowling Green State University where she is majoring in communication and minoring in journalism. She’ll be assisting us with graphic design, social media, promoting our programs to the community, and more. We’re thrilled to have her onboard and can’t wait to see the creative ideas she brings to the table! Although she’s working remotely, we hope you’ll join us in giving her a warm virtual welcome!

A photo of Kayla standing indoors against a wall with a map of Richland County in the background. She is smiling and wearing a black sweater with her hands clasped in front of her.

Richland County Proves to be a “Rich Land” in the Soil Your Undies Experiment

This year’s county fair brought an unexpected highlight – dirty underwear from across Richland County! As part of the Soil Your Undies challenge, our team buried a pair of 100% cotton underwear underground for 60 days in each of the 18 townships to showcase soil health. Rich soil teeming with microbes…

A map of all the buried underwear locations.
Credit: Richland SWCD

Dirty Undies!

This year’s county fair brought an unexpected highlight – dirty underwear from across Richland County! As part of the Soil Your Undies challenge, our team buried a pair of 100% cotton underwear underground for 60 days in each of the 18 townships to showcase soil health.

Rich soil teeming with microbes and worms will break down the fabric quickly, while less active soils will show little change. The healthier the soil, the faster the cotton underwear decomposes providing a fun and visual way to assess the vitality of local soils.

Our Underwear on Display…

One common joke among visitors after seeing the display was that Richland County should be called “Rich Land County” due to the thriving soils in some townships. Many visitors had questions about replicating the experiment in their backyard and we were able to give them our extra pairs of undies

Our display quickly became a hit at the fair, sparking curiosity among visitors of all ages. Fairgoers were amazed to see the varying levels of underwear decomposition and how it correlated with the land’s use.

Marilyn Roe, Richland SWCD Volunteer, at our 2024 Richland County Fair booth

After the two-month burial period, we retrieved the undies and put them on display at the county fair. The results ranged from pairs that were barely recognizable to those with minimal decay. This visual showcase highlighted the differences in soil health across the county.

A Lesson in Soil Health

This experiment was more than just entertaining – it reminded us of the importance of maintaining healthy soil. Local farmers especially took note of how soil health can affect crop yield, water retention, and sustainability. Sites where the underwear remained mostly intact now have a clear opportunity to investigate practices that could improve their soil health like adding compost or using cover crops.

Overall, the Soil Your Undies experiment was a great success. The positive reception at the fair showed just how eager our community is to learn about environmental stewardship. Richland County is ready to prove that it’s not just rich in history, but rich in land too.

We want to extend a big thank you to the landowners who allowed us to bury underwear on their properties! This project wouldn’t have been possible without their generosity, curiosity, and support.

New Faces!

Richland Soil & Water Conservation District (RSWCD) & Pheasant’s Forever Hire New Employees

New year, new staff!

In February, RSWCD hired on two new district technicians: Zoe Baumberger &

Richland Soil & Water Conservation District (RSWCD) & Pheasant’s Forever Hire New Employees

New year, new staff!

In February, RSWCD hired on two new district technicians: Zoe Baumberger & Sam Foley. They will be the new faces of the stormwater permitting program (which the District manages for the Commissioners and the Village of Lexington) as well as the MS4 Program (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System). Pheasants Forever also recently hired Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist Rachel Coy.

Get to know our new team members by reading their bios below and join us in welcoming them! Feel free to send them a friendly email or stop by to say hello!

Zoe Baumberger
District Technician

Zoe is a proud native of Mansfield, Ohio, and feels incredibly fortunate to give back to her community in her new role with RSWCD.

Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology and Ecology, earned in May 2023, Zoe brings a deep-rooted passion for environmental stewardship to the role.

Beyond the office, Zoe finds joy in the simple pleasures of life: reading, painting, nurturing her garden, stealing moments for a nap, and exploring the outdoors with her two beloved canine companions.

Say Hello to Zoe

Sam Foley
District Technician

Sam lives in Mansfield, Ohio, with his 7-year-old son, Augustus, and his son’s mother, Kristi. They have a dog, Watson, and one cat, Louie.

Sam graduated from Shelby High School in 2008 and obtained his Associate of Science in Biotechnology from North Central State College in 2011.

One of Sam’s favorite things to do is cook, you can regularly find him in the kitchen. He is always eager to learn new things in life and is looking forward to working within the community.

Say Hello to Sam

Rachel Coy
Farm Bill Biologist – Pheasants Forever, Inc.

Rachel is the new Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist with Pheasants Forever covering Richland, Crawford, Huron and Seneca counties.

She graduated from The Ohio State University in December of 2023 with her bachelor’s in environmental science with a specialization in ecosystem restoration. Prior to starting her current position, she spent two years doing undergraduate research and extension work with Ohio State and has been a part of numerous natural habitat and farm research initiatives. She is looking forward to working with landowners on their goals of supporting wild landscapes.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys reading, attempting to bake, and is a dog mom to her and her partner’s two pups. She spends most of her spare time with her little family enjoying the outdoors on hikes or inside watching a good movie.

Say Hello to Rachel

Welcome, Cora Crilow, Communications Intern

Hello! My name is Cora Crilow and I am working as the Spring Communications Intern. I attend Ohio State ATI where I major in Agricultural Communications,

Hello! My name is Cora Crilow and I am working as the Spring Communications Intern. I attend Ohio State ATI where I major in Agricultural Communications, and will graduate with an associate’s degree in May.

I’m originally from Holmes County and graduated from West Holmes High School. Throughout high school, I was heavily involved in 4-H and FFA, which ignited my love for agriculture and conservation.

When I’m not working or in class, I enjoy sheep farming, time with friends and family, and playing with my corgi, Tula. I also operate my own photography business on the side.

Thank you to the Fran and Warren Rupp Fund of the Richland County Foundation for funding the grant for this position. I’m very excited for this experience at Richland SWCD!

Welcome, Environmental Intern Hollee Stegeman

Hi. My name is Hollee Stegeman and I am one of the new interns. I work under the direction of Dan Herrold to do storm water field work.

Hi. My name is Hollee Stegeman and I am one of the new interns. I work under the direction of Dan Herrold to do storm water field work. I have a strong interest in protecting the environment. I have loved being outside ever since I was a little girl and early on understood the importance of keeping Mother Nature happy which is why I am more than excited about this new internship. I hope to learn all about erosion, pollution prevention, and storm water.

I am from Cincinnati and am in my third year at Ohio State University in Columbus majoring in Environment,

Economy, Development, and Sustainability with a specialization in Business and Sustainability.

When I am not at Richland SWCD, I keep busy with classes and my two other jobs as a waitress and receptionist. I also love to lift weights, shop (especially second hand), try new restaurants, and spend time outside.

Thank you so much to the Fran and Warren Rupp Fund of the Richland County Foundation for funding the grant for this position. I have had so much fun in my short time at Richland SWCD and am excited for what is to come!

In Memoriam: Fred Cooke

Photo L to R: Fred Cooke and Commissioner Cliff Mears.

It is with heavy hearts, we share the sad news of the passing in December of Board Supervisor Fred Cooke.

Photo L to R: Fred Cooke and Commissioner Cliff Mears.

It is with heavy hearts, we share the sad news of the passing in December of Board Supervisor Fred Cooke. Fred has been a Board Supervisor since 2017, most recently serving as Treasurer. Among his many contributions, he assisted with the hiring of current director, Erica Thomas, was an advocate for the district and didn’t hesitate to offer suggestions for programs and services. Fred was a long-time farmer, member of Farm Bureau and a former Shelby Vo-Ag teacher and FFA advisor. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Fred’s family and friends. Fred will be dearly missed.