Marketing, Memories and Conservation: Kayla’s Internship Experience

Kayla’s internship was filled with growth, creativity and conservation. Read her farewell message and help us wish her well!

My marketing internship with the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) was an incredible experience. Throughout my internship, I had the opportunity to help with social media management, content creation and community outreach. I assisted with marketing campaigns, designed promotional materials and helped create visual content used on social media as well as during community events. The projects I assisted with not only helped strengthen my skills in digital marketing, branding and public relations, but it also deepened my knowledge of environmental conservation and its impact on the community. One of my favorite moments from my time with Richland SWCD was when I had the opportunity to work with everyone in person at the Soil Open House. It gave me the chance to see a lot of my work come to life, and seeing first-hand how marketing plays a role in raising awareness for conservation efforts was both rewarding and inspiring. Overall, my experience with my internship has been instrumental in my professional growth, and I am very grateful to have contributed to the mission of Richland SWCD.

Interested in interning with Richland SWCD? We’re looking for a summer 2025 marketing intern. For more information contact Theresa Sutter at sutter.theresa@richlandswcd.net or call 419-747-8685.

Kayla standing behind an activity table talking and smiling to a visitor.

Protecting Our Watersheds: The Power of Volunteer Efforts

Richland SWCD volunteers make a big impact – from monitoring strams to saving thousands in funding. Find out how you can get involved!

Volunteering with the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) offers numerous personal benefits, including skill development, increased confidence, and a profound sense of purpose. It also fosters community engagement and strengthens social bonds, which leads to a more connected society. At Richland SWCD, our volunteers are driven by their concern for the environment and a commitment to conserving our planet’s natural resources. We currently have 73 individuals who assist in various ways, including precipitation, lake, and stream monitoring, office support, participation in workshops and community events, as well as photography. In 2024, their joint efforts saved the County General Fund over $45,000.

Our volunteers play an important role in monitoring the health of our watersheds by quickly notifying us of any issues. Without the hard work of our precipitation, lake and stream monitoring volunteers, the data we rely on would be unobtainable. This data serves as a vital resource for the public, governmental bodies, and our partners. The more monitoring volunteers we have, the more complete and accurate our data becomes.

Commissioner Mears presenting proclamation to Bob Donaldson

We honor one volunteer each year at our Annual Celebration. In 2024, we recognized Robert E. Donaldson for his incredible contributions to our volunteer team.

We also host an annual picnic to show our appreciation for all our volunteers. This year’s picnic is scheduled for June 3 at South Park in Mansfield.

We are currently looking for new Lake Monitor volunteers. Training will be held on April 29 at 5pm at Pleasant Hill Lake Park. All equipment is provided, but volunteers will need access to the internet to post their data on our website. If you are interested in joining our volunteer team, please contact Theresa Sutter at sutter.theresa@richlandswcd.net or 419-747-8685, or visit our volunteer opportunities page.

Theresa and some of our volunteers posed together at the 2024 annual celebration. — Theresa (right) and some of our volunteers at the 2024 Annual Celebration

Know Your Nuisance: Controlling Invasive and Aggressive Plants This Season

Spring brings new growth – some of it unwanted. Learn how to manage nuisance pond and land plants before they take over.

Springtime for ponds will bring about opportunities to make new memories with family and friends around your pond. But did you experience issues with various plants last year that you may have forgotten about? Some plants you might see this spring/summer include:

Watermeal – Green floating granular plant

Collage of watermeal. Photo on the left shows watermeal on someone's fingers. Middle photo is a closeup of watermeal in a pond- you can see the individual grains, The final photo is of a pond covered in watermeal - it's green like pea soup! — Watermeal – Photo from The Pond Shop

Duckweed – Small, lobed floating green plant with a tiny root

Duckweed floating in a pond. — Duckweed – Photo by Matt Wallace

Cattails – Green in the summer and brown in the winter extending above the waterline

Closeup of a cattail seed pod. It's brown and shaped like a corn dog. — Cattails – Photo from the Wisconsin Wetland Association

Phragmite – Similar to cattails but seed heads are feather shaped while cattails resemble corn dogs

Photo of phragmites outdoors. The seed heads are feather shaped. — Phragmites – Photo from Will County Forest Preserve District

Broadlead Watermilfoil – Submerged leaves are finely dissected and cause the shoot to resemble to form of a raccoon tail, whereas leaves on the emergent bracts tend to be smaller and appear only in summer

Closeup of watermilfoil. It's leaves are feather-like. — Broadleaf Watermilfoil – Photo by Matt Wallace

All these plants have the potential to provide feeding, loafing and protective cover opportunities for waterfowl, fish and other mammals. But like so many other things they can become a nuisance, reduce plant biodiversity, create hypoxic zones and need to be controlled. Things like watermeal, duckweed and cattails should be treated in the early spring if they were an issue for your pond last year. All aquatic plants can be controlled with aquatic herbicides. If they become too prolific and for the cases where herbicides are ineffective, you may need to consider mechanical removal of the plants. These are just a few of the common pond plants found in Ohio and any aquatic herbicide that you use needs to have their directions followed exactly as the label specifies. Deviation from the product directions can cause unwanted and potentially harmful results.

Landscaping Woes: Problem Plants and How to Handle Them

Plants like multiflora rose, grapevine, poison ivy, poison hemlock and garlic mustard weed can have some wildlife benefit but can do more harm than good. Multiflora rose, with its white flowers and thorns, while providing habitat for wildlife can prove to be a nuisance around your property. It can be easily controlled with pruning, mowing, or herbicide application. Grapevine and poison ivy can provide wildlife with a food source but can be detrimental to people who are sensitive to oils and particulate matter from poison ivy. Vines can be detrimental to trees in inclement weather by providing additional, unnecessary weight and instability. These vines can be easily cut and sprayed with the appropriate herbicides to control them. Garlic mustard, when found, is best if it is pulled and placed onto a hard surface to dry out then disposed of in the trash.

The most prolific undesirable plant that citizens see and call us about is Poison Hemlock. The main stem of this plant is green with a whitish fuzzy look to it when it is young. Its leaves resemble that of a carrot, but this is not edible (1). As the plant matures the main stem will become hollow and have green and purplish splotches with a glaucous coating over it (2). This plant will also have a flower head that appears yellow (3) when the flowers are not unfurled revealing a white (4) flower. If you suspect that you may have an adverse reaction to any plant or its parts, it is highly recommended that you take the appropriate precautions to protect yourself. If you plan on controlling any of these or other plants with mechanical or herbicide measures please read and understand the tools that you will be using for optimal results. For best results overall, undesirable plants are best controlled before they begin to flower and have the ability to spread seed. These plants can be found commonly in low lying wet areas where standing water is common. Many plants will re-sprout where you saw them last year so early removal, before they have a flower head on them, is crucial.

Leaves of poison hemlock — Photo 1: Leaves by Matt Wallace

Thick, green stalk of poison hemlock — Photo 2: Stalks by Matt Wallace

Pre-opened, green flower buds of poison hemlock — Photo 3: Pre-opened Flowers by Matt Wallace

White poison hemlock flowers in bloom — Photo 4: Opened Flowers by Matt Wallace

Quarter One Stormwater Update: Permits Issued and Compliance Reminders

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!

Technician walking past a ditch on a site inspection

MS4 Update: Why Soil Matters More Than You Think

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 standing on a log peering into an outfall pipe — Sam inspecting an outfall

Fresh water ammonia nitrogen test from an outfall showing a low level of ammonia nitrogen — 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!

Learn more about loss of topsoil: https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/soil-erosion-and-degradation Learn more about turbid water: https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/turbidity-and-water

H2Ohio Sign-ups Open for Crop Years 2026/2027

Enroll now!

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.

Coming Soon: Events to Keep on Your Radar!

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

For our full list of upcoming events – including Board Supervisor meetings – go to our calendar by clicking the button below!

Calendar of Events

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

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.

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!

Supporting Landowners: Pond Clinic, Fish Sale, Farmland Preservation, and More!

Help us, help you!

Pond Clinic

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.

Fish Sale

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.

Order Fish Online

Farmland Preservation

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.

Search your address to see if you’re in the floodplain

Map from the county auditor's site showing the floodplain filters in the table to the right of the map.

Manure Management

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.

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.

Cozy up with Winter Puzzles: Solutions and New Brain Teasers

Solutions for autumn 2024 and new winter puzzles!

Autumn 2024 Solutions

Word search from autumn 2024 with the solutions highlighted

Crossword from autumn 2024 with the answers filled in

New Winter Puzzles

Winter Crossword Download

Winter Word Search Download

Minimizing Erosion, Maximizing Impact: Updates and Insights on Our MS4 Program

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!

MS4

Graphic that lists species for temporary seeding and the dates to seed. Permanent seeding should take place March through May or August through September otherwise irrigation may be needed.

Managing Stormwater: Year-End Updates and Insights

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.

Apply Online for a Stormwater Permit

Sam Foley on a site inspection. He is wearing a high visibility vest and taking a photo of the site that was just seeded.

Act Now: USDA-NRCS Conservation Incentives for 2025

Learn about USDA-NRCS conservation programs. Sign up by January 31, 2025. Contact details and resources included!

The USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program and Conservation Stewardship Program for fiscal year 2025 sign-up deadline is January 31, 2025. For more information, please contact the Richland office at 419-747-8691 x 3 or the website at Conservation Stewardship Program – Ohio | Natural Resources Conservation Service. Feel free to check out Farmers.gov also. For email information, please contact Jason.ruhl@usda.gov or Jordan.miller@usda.gov .

Jason Ruhl and Jordan Miller standing in front of green vegetation smiling for the camera.

USDA-NRCS is An Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer, and Lender

Supporting Pollinators Over Winter

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!

H2Ohio Program Updates: Important Reminders

Make sure you’re meeting H2Ohio deadlines!

H2Ohio Reminders

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. **

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 and a student posed with the education kits. They're smiling for the camera holding books. — 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!

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.