Please remember, if you are moving soil in the unincorporated parts of Richland County you need to consult with us about permit requirements…
Our first quarter of the year was very active for Stormwater Permits. We issued 12 permits for commercial projects between January 1, 2025, and March 31, 2025. We’ve also issued 59 residential permits during that same time period with 30 of those being an exemption.
Please remember, if you are moving soil in the unincorporated parts of Richland County you need to consult with us about permit requirements to ensure you are following the Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Regulations. Let’s work together to be good stewards of our county’s natural resources!
Erosion is a natural process, so you might be wondering why we’re so concerned about keeping dirt in its place…
It was a busy first quarter for the MS4 program! We submitted our annual report to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) which outlined our 2024 accomplishments and our plan for 2025. Sam and I have also been working with the health department to inspect outfalls that previously had illicit discharges and are re-testing them to confirm elimination. While we’re not currently seeing any signs of illicit discharge, these inspections serve as a good reminder of the 2025 MS4 theme – Keep Dirt In Place!
Sam inspecting an outfall
Ammonia Nitrogen test from an outfall
Erosion is a natural process, so you might be wondering why we’re so concerned about keeping dirt in its place. While some erosion is natural, we want to reduce man-made erosion caused by construction activities and other earth disturbances. Once erosion starts, the topsoil is the first to go – and it takes several hundred years to form just one inch of it. Losing that nutrient rich layer not only reduces the soil’s ability to retain moisture (which can lead to flooding), but also negatively impacts crop yields. According to the World Wildlife Fund “half of the topsoil on the planet has been lost in the last 150 years”. For many Ohio farmers, losing more topsoil is not an option and best management practices to prevent further erosion become essential.
When soil is washed away through erosion, it is often washed into the nearest waterbody during rain events. As water travels over land as runoff, it picks up whatever is in its path -including soil. The soil in the stormwater runoff can bind with chemicals and other materials, transporting them to local streams. Once soil enters a stream, the water can become discolored and murky, harming the aquatic organisms that rely on clean, clear water. It also makes it harder for animals to hunt, find shelter and breathe as turbidity (cloudiness of the water) blocks sunlight and reduces oxygen levels.
While erosion might not seem like a pressing issue, it has far reaching consequences for both humans and wildlife. Even a small amount of displaced dirt can harm the health of our waterways. It’s our responsibility to stabilize bare soil and prevent pollution – after all, we don’t want to see another dust bowl!
Sign-ups for H2Ohio Crop Years 2026/2027 (CY26/27) have officially begun! The application for H2Ohio CY26/27 is available now on our website. Contracts will roll out in late summer/early fall 2025. Please submit your application and begin gathering the following information for nutrient management planning and development on the MyFarms platform:
Up-to-date soil test information (i.e. 4 years old or newer). For CY26 soil test information from 2022-on are acceptable, for CY27 soil tests from 2023-on are acceptable.
Planned crop rotations for CY26/27.
Field maps for the ground you’re interested in enrolling in H2Ohio (and/or Field boundary files from your cca or agronomist).
.If you want to get ahead of the game: prescriptions or fertility plan for CY26/27.
Also available on the website are the practice standards and work plans for CY 26/27. The practice standards are the minimum requirements that you’ll need to meet to receive payment for completing the practices. Work plans were designed to help producers successfully implement the practices. If you’re interested in enrolling in H2Ohio for Crop Years 2026/2027, please submit your application as soon as possible. The soil test data, crop rotations and maps aren’t required to be submitted with the application, however, this information will need to be submitted prior to the contracting period coming late summer/early fall 2025.
Richland County is still on the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) H2Ohio schedule meaning land in the following counties will be eligible to enroll through our office for crop year 2026/2027: Crawford, Erie, Huron, Marion, Ottawa, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, & Wyandot.
If you have any questions about the program or application, please do not hesitate to contact Jordan at Keller.Jordan@RichlandSWCD.net or 419-747-8688.
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.
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.
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.
We will be hosting a pond clinic at the Longview Center on February 25th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Steve Fender of Fender’s Fish Hatchery will discuss topics such as fish species selection, pond maintenance, aquatic weed control, and predator mitigation. Our office will also share how we can assist with pond design, usage, soil suitability testing, and their endless possibilities. Additionally, we will be discussing the benefits of installing a dry hydrant in your pond for fire suppression and additional homeowner benefits. Watch our webpage for additional updates.
We are having our annual fish sale again this year! Orders are DUE April 17th. Please place orders online or call about in-person ordering. For more information about placing orders and fish species available follow this link.
Pick up is April 25 at the Richland County Fairground Horse Barn from 10:00am to 11:30am. Please bring enough containers to hold the purchased fish. Each container needs an unscented poly liner to hold oxygen and keep fish alive and well during transport. Fill the container/liner one-third full with water from the pond that the fish will be living in. For more information check out our fish sale pick up page or give us a call at 419-747-8686.
Do you have a farm that you want to make sure that it will stay in agricultural production forever? Or has it been in your family for multiple generations? The Ohio Department of Agriculture has programs to preserve and recognize these milestones. For more information, call our office.
What’s a Floodplain?
What is a floodplain? A floodplain is an area adjacent to a river or stream that becomes inundated with water during times of heavy or prolonged rainfall. Building in the floodplain presents challenges such as the need for hydraulic and hydrologic studies, additional permits, and higher construction costs to elevate structures.
Applying manure to fields is common, but better manure management can prevent unintentional runoff. Our office can assist producers with best manure management techniques. Drainage issues are also a frequent concern during heavy rainfall, and many landowners overlook problem areas that can lead to flooding. For more information on these topics, visit our website or contact Technician Matt Wallace at 419-747-8687.
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.
Explore updates on our MS4 program including 2024 accomplishments and the new 2025 theme!
2024 was a busy year! We completed 12 dry weather screenings, finished all township garage facility inspections, conducted monthly inspections of active commercial projects, and hosted multiple outreach events.
2025 marks the final year of our current five-year National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit term. We’ll submit our 2024 accomplishments in our Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) annual report and apply for the 2026-2030 NPDES MS4 permit. With a new year comes a fresh start for our six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) giving us the opportunity to tackle them all over again!
2025 also brings a new MS4 theme: Keep Dirt Where It Belongs. While this may seem like a simple concept, achieving it on an active construction site can be quite challenging. Erosion is a natural process, but construction activities can accelerate it. Although erosion cannot be entirely stopped, we can take steps to minimize its impacts and prevent man-made soil disturbance. One effective way to minimize erosion is by simply covering exposed soil. Planting native plants is ideal for erosion control as their deep roots anchor soil in place. Kentucky bluegrass is also commonly used in Ohio to stabilize a site after construction activities.
When colder months make seeding difficult, temporary stabilization techniques are crucial. The most common winter stabilization technique is mulching. Mulch not only covers bare soil, but it also promotes the germination of seeds in the growing season by holding moisture. This is why you often see straw thrown over grass seed! In Richland County, idle soil is to be temporarily or permanently stabilized after 14 days. Refer to the photo below for seasonal recommendations to stabilize soil effectively. For more details see Chapter 7 of the Rainwater and Land Development Manual. By implementing stabilization strategies, we can preserve soil integrity and support sustainable construction practices. Let’s keep dirt where it belongs!
There’s a lot in store for the 2025 MS4 program, so stay tuned and be sure to get involved! For more information keep an eye on our upcoming events!
Our fourth and final quarter of the year has been a busy one for stormwater permits.
Our fourth and final quarter of 2024 was a busy one for stormwater permits. We issued 17 permits for commercial projects between October 1 and December 31. We also issued 65 residential permits during that period, with 44 of them being exemptions.
Recently the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began petitioning for the Monarch Butterfly to be listed as a threatened species…
Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began petitioning for the monarch butterfly to be listed as a threatened species in the U.S and is seeking public input on the proposal. This inspired me to start a habitat series focused on grassland birds and pollinator habitat because good pollinator habitat is also good bird habitat!
Winter has arrived, which presents the perfect opportunity to discuss winter habitat and resource needs for pollinators. Some pollinators, like Monarch Butterflies, fly south for the winter, but many other stay home and hibernate. To survive the cold months, they need safe, undisturbed places to rest like stems of plants, leaf piles, or the ground. Providing these spaces when Ohio is blanketed by cold can make a big difference.
When planning your pollinator planting, it’s essential to plant species that bloom all throughout the growing season to ensure resources are readily available. For migrating species like Monarchs, late bloomers like asters and goldenrod are especially helpful as they prepare for their long journey. Hibernating pollinators need a place to nest and rest over winter. Resist the urge to tidy everything up in the fall! Many pollinators hibernate in hollow plant stems, under leaves, or in the soil. By leaving plants and seed heads standing, you’re giving pollinators a safe place to rest and providing food for birds in winter.
Pruning of perennials in gardens should be postponed until after winter and can occur in the start of spring. This allows overwintering pollinators to emerge safely when weather warms up. If you have a larger area like a meadow or prairie, try to mow only once a year and do it in late summer (July or August). This gives plants and pollinators enough time before winter to grow and supply cover, food for wildlife and hibernation locations for our pollinators. Mowing should not occur during the primary grassland bird nesting season (March 1 – July 15).
The key to pollinator habitat is mimicking wild landscapes. A clean, pristine garden does not mimic our natural landscapes where native pollinators and wildlife have co-evolved with the plants and ‘management’ on the landscape. By letting your yard or garden be more natural, you’re helping to recreate the environment they need to survive.
In summary, managing pollinator plantings for winter:
If your pollinator habitat is grassland/ prairie: Strategically time your mowing and maintenance with a goal to have mowing completed by mid-August to ensure your stand has adequate cover through winter.
Ensure your stand has species blooming in the last bloom window, these usually include asters and goldenrods and supply food/ fuel for migrating species and pollinators trying to store energy for the long winter hibernation.
Keep the cover! Keep as much above ground cover available as possible, leave the stems, logs, leaf litter and rocks. If you are managing a smaller garden patch, avoid pruning until late winter/ early spring. *Keeping the seed heads on standing vegetation increases food availability for other wildlife, too!
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any habitat questions or comments!
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.
We’ve met with all of our current participants in the H2Ohio program and have been gathering the necessary information to verify crop year 2024 practices.
2024 Nutrient Management Documentation: If you have any outstanding documentation needed to complete crop year 2024 nutrient management, please get it to us as soon as possible.
DEADLINE: January 31 – Last day to turn in information for 2024 Cover Crops/2024 Small Grain maps/locations: We have set a strict deadline for gathering cover crop and small grain establishment locations – January 31, 2025. Please provide us with planting maps or field names/locations by this date. This includes new producers to the program for crop year 2025 who planted overwintering cover crops by November 1, 2024.
DEADLINE: March 15 – 2024 Cover crop, 2024 Small Grains, and 2024 Forage documents: March 15, 2025 is the last day to turn in 2024 cover crop/2024 forage seed tags, bills, tests, and/or total weight, and double crop seed bills (if you planted a double crop behind your 2024 small grains).
Practice Specific Reminders
Cover Crops
Cover crops must be maintained until March 15. No fall or winter full-width tillage is permitted.
Strip-till and tilling are allowed, but producers may not work-down tile lines until after March 15.
Crop can be harvested as a forage or grazed after March 15.
Manure and/or fertilizer, based on voluntary nutrient management plans (VNMP) can resume after March 15.
Small Grains
No full-width tillage or any Phosphorus-containing fertilizer and/or manure applications are allowed after the cover crop is planted or the double crop is harvested or until March 15. Exceptions apply for tile work and strip tillage fertilizer placement.
Forage Requirements
Forage fields shall be maintained until March 15. This means no full-width tillage and no Phosphorus-containing fertilizer and/or manure applications during this period. Exceptions apply for tile work and strip tillage fertilizer placement.
Payment will not be made if the overwintering forage residue is too close cut. The standard says that residue must be a minimum of 4 inches tall by October 15 each year.
Payments for forages are to be made in the spring of the year following establishment and every spring it’s enrolled as a forage thereafter.
Soil Tests for Nutrient Management
Soil tests cannot be older than 4 years. If you are not on a regular schedule, please make sure that you check which fields require updated soil tests this fall.
**As an H2Ohio participant, you are responsible for following the standards/guidelines for the above practices. If you need additional copies of the practice standards, we are happy to supply them. **
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!
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!
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.
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 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.
Director Matt Christian mingling with guestsTechnician Sam Foley at our info tableLunch is served!
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.
Soil Your Undies challenge results!We had a lot of community supportThe McKowns receiving Cooperator of the Year
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.Bob Donaldson, Volunteer of the Year, with his wife KathyPresenting Lanny Hopkins, Richland SWCD Board Supervisor, with his Service Award
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 Richland SWCD Board with County Commisioners Tony Vero (3rd from right) and Cliff Mears (2nd from right). Board of Supervisors are, left to right, Jean McClintock, Greg Timberlake, Lanny Hopkins, and Leonard Fox.Richland SWCD Volunteers that attended, with Theresa Sutter (Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator) on the far right.
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!
The Pastures for Profit Grazing School classroom sessions were held on the evenings of July 23rd and 25th with a pasture walk day on July 27th. Pastures for Profit is an educational course providing science-based pasture management…
The Pastures for Profit Grazing School classroom sessions were held on the evenings of July 23rd and 25th with a pasture walk day on July 27th.
Pastures for Profit is an educational course providing science-based pasture management information to Ohio farmers. Throughout the course, participants learn how to provide and maintain healthy and sustainable forage systems for the animals in their care. Participants of our grazing school learned about goal setting, soils, soil fertility, plant physiology, animal needs, paddock design, fencing options, extending the grazing season, and the economics of grazing operations.
Thank you again to Randy & Eileen Eisenhauer for allowing us to use their pastures to educate the participants! The pasture walk day was a hot one, but that didn’t stop farmers from asking great questions and prompting great discussions! Thank you to all our participants and presenters for making this a great event! We all profited from the conversations and knowledge shared.
Pastures for Profit was a combined effort of the following entities: The Ohio State University, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, USDA-NRCS, and the Ohio Forage & Grasslands Council.
Megan Burgess (State Grazing Specialist, USDA-NRCS) leads one of the nightly classes with Jason Ruhl (District Conservationist, USDA-NRCS). Credit: Richland SWCDPasture walk on the Eisenhauer Farm. Credit: Richland SWCDTesting out pasture fencing wire spools. Credit: Richland SWCD
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