Guernsey Soil &Water Conservation District
Mission: Promote, through education and technical assistance, the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
ODA Hay Directory:
To find hay for sale- https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/administration/resources/ohio-hay-directory
To advertise hay for sale- https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=xPz4UNiUB0-E6zbtV8fIouB-bRmNNLpAsDuamDPirpJUNjg3MDdFS1gxVVlTUDdGNVg0RFRZWFdUVy4u&route=shorturl
Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Water withdrawal from Reservoirs:
In conjunction with Guernsey SWCD & MWCD water can be withdrawn from Seneca Lake and Piedmont Reservoir for use of watering LIVESTOCK ONLY. There are 3 designated locations for water withdraw, the three designated areas are;
Belmont County- Reynolds Road Boat Ramp ( Piedmont Lake)
Guernsey County- ODNR Road Boat Ramp (Seneca Lake)
Noble County- State Route 147 (Seneca Lake)
In order to withdraw water please contact the Guernsey Soil & Water office at 740-489-5276.
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Guernsey SWCD's 2024 Annual Meeting and Election
Guernsey SWCD would like to announce our 82nd Annual Meeting and Election for our Board of Supervisors. It will take place at Deerassic on October 24th starting at 5:30pm. The cost is $10 per person.
Josh Stiers and Jo Lucas are both up for re-election and are running unopposed. If you would like to vote, you can vote in our office, request an absentee ballot or vote the night of the Annual Meeting. The election will start September 25th. More information can be found on the flyer below.
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Livestock Forage Disaster Program
Due to the extreme drought in parts of Ohio, the USDA, Farm Service Agency now has a disaster assistance program available to eligible livestock producers.
The livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) offers payments to eligible livestock producers with eligible livestock. You must also be a producer of grazed forage crop acreage.
The payments help producers with grazing losses suffered on native or improved pastureland due to a qualifying drought. This can be land with eligible permanent or planted grazing cover.
For grazing losses due to drought, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will calculate payments equal to 1,3,4 or 5 times the LFP monthly payment rate. The payment rate for drought is equal to 60% of the lessor of the monthly feed cost for all covered livestock or the normal carrying capacity of the eligible grazing land.
For more information you can visit www.farmers.gov or contact the Guernsey/Noble/Belmont/Monroe FSA office at deborah.finley@usda.gov
Friday, June 28, 2024
Special Meeting Announcement
Special Meeting Announcement:
Guernsey SWCD will be having a special board meeting on July 1st at 2pm in their meeting room held at
335C Old National Road, Old Washington, OH 43768
Thursday, June 13, 2024
38th Annual Conservation Day Camp
We are hosting our 38th Annual Guernsey SWCD Conservation Day Camp this July 25th & 26th!
Ages 8-11 years
9:30am-1:00pm
Cost is $10
Lunch, snacks, and water provided
Please see the pamphlet below for more details and sign up!
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Governor Mike DeWine announced Ohio Department of Agriculture's incentive program is now being offered to producers outside of the Western Lake Erie Basin. Guernsey County landowners growing row crops or hay are now able to apply to this program. Producers can contact their Soil and Water Conservation District to apply. https://h2.ohio.gov/41637-2/
Monday, May 20, 2024
The Guernsey Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is seeking candidates for its Board of Supervisors.
Supervisors are elected in the fall to serve a three-year term on the SWCD's governing board. The term will begin on January 1, 2025.
Responsibilities of the non-paid elected office include; periodic oversight of the district office, monthly board meetings, paying bills, reviewing committee reports, and approval of employee timesheets.
The board develops and annual SWCD plan of work with priorities for the conservation, education and technical assistance that staff deliver to property owners. Supervisors are encouraged to attend SWCD events whenever possible.
Supervisors are to collaborate with other local, state and national groups and agencies to coordinate conservation efforts and help discover funding sources for district operations.
Persons interested in becoming a candidate should contact Madyson Black at the Guernsey SWCD office. A supervisor must be at least 18 years of age and a legal resident of Guernsey County. Any person at least 18 years of age who lives, owns land or business in Guernsey County is eligible to vote in the SWCD election. Voters may visit the Guernsey SWCD office to vote early or call to request an absentee ballot, during the voting period. Voter registration is not required.
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Guernsey SWCD 2024 Annual Spring Tree Sale
Click on the link below to print out our 2024 Tree Sale order form. You can mail it in with payment or drop it off at our office or in the dropbox outside the door. Thank you!
Friday, September 1, 2023
Guernsey Soil and Water
Conservation District Election
The mission of the Guernsey
Soil and Water Conservation District is to promote through education and
technical assistance, the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit
of present and future generations. The
traditional perception of the Soil and Water Conservation District has been one
of working primarily with the agricultural community. The district does work on natural resource
issues with local agriculture but in addition to that, it is a considerable
resource to all landowners and land users in Guernsey County.
This year's slate of
candidates for election to the district board of supervisors include; Ken Ford
and Art Tripp. The two candidates with the most votes will be elected to a
three-year term. Residents of Guernsey County
can vote from Wednesday, October 4th through Thursday, November 2nd.
You can vote in person at the office, request an absentee ballot, or vote
Thursday, November 2nd at our Annual Meeting from 5:30pm – 6pm. The
meeting will be held on the Guernsey County Fairgrounds in the Oscar Share Hall
building. Doors will open at 5:00pm
The dinner, catered by Cid’s
Smokehouse Grill, will be served at 6:00pm, with a brief program following the
meal. Tickets for the banquet are $10, and can be purchased from any current
board member, or from the SWCD office.
If you are unable to attend the day of the election, absentee ballots
are available at the district office located at 335C Old National Rd, Old Washington,
Ohio. Eligible voters are all individuals who are at least 18 years of age and
a resident of Guernsey County or at least 18 years of age and own real estate
in Guernsey County. Consider
participating in this important process.
For additional information you may contact the Guernsey Soil and Water
Conservation District office at (740) 489-5276.
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
WE'RE HIRING!
Guernsey Soil & Water Conservation District
Position Description
Position Title: Wildlife/Forestry Specialist
Reports to: District Program Administrator
(DPA)
Employment Status: Full time, subject to six-month
probationary period
Hours: 8:00
AM to 4:30PM – 40 hours
Application deadline: August
18, 2023
Salary range: Entry level $16-$19/hr | negotiable with more experience
This position is responsible for education, technical assistance, and field assistance to landowners/operators and units of government, primarily in wildlife and forestry issues. The position also aides in educational programming in Guernsey county school systems.
DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
·
Due to grant funding from the Ohio department of
Natural Resources – Division of Wildlife, this position will work with the
ODNR-DOW Wildlife Officer, Wildlife Management Consultant, Wildlife Management
Supervisor, and Private Lands Program Administrator to assist
in such programs and activities as are agreed upon between the district and
ODNR in the grant.
·
Plan and conduct tours, field days, technical
workshops, public viewing of demonstrations including forestry field days, BMP
workshops, logger certification, and wildlife clinics.
·
Work with the DPA to develop communication of
district programs through social media.
·
Investigate Silviculture House Bill 88 sediment
complaints, enter information into Beehive and report findings to board of
supervisors. Follow up with any state
agencies as necessary.
·
Review Timber Notice of intent (NOI) sites and
provide report to board of supervisors.
Follow up on site visit to ensure that the plan is being followed.
·
Responsible for scheduling repair and maintenance
of district vehicles and rental equipment. (i.e., trucks, drill, seeder, winch,
trailers)
·
Represent the District at meetings of local,
state and federal agencies and organizations as directed.
·
Attend monthly board meetings and/or other
meetings as designated by the DPA and /or Board of Supervisors.
·
Keep abreast of all federal, state, and local
laws that affect the conservation work within the district.
·
Keep abreast of and promote federal, state, and
local conservation programs (e.g. Farm Bill, state cost-share, etc.) the will
positively impact soil, water, and wildlife conservation.
·
Prepare and maintain all records, reports, and
forms as required. This includes the
computerized payroll and data collection system, currently known as Beehive.
·
Must comply with all of the district’s policies
(i.e., Employment Policy, this position description)
·
Must demonstrate regular and predictable
attendance.
·
Perform all other duties as assigned by the DPA
or board of supervisors.
·
Other duties and responsibilities not mentioned will evolve. The Joint Board of Supervisors does not hold this job description to be “all encompassing” and maintain the right to develop other
areas of responsibility as deemed necessary.
·
Experience with presenting educational programs
to both adult and youth audiences.
·
Ability to communicate effectively in both oral
and written form; exercise sound judgment; use time and organizational skills
wisely; be groomed and dressed appropriately as to reflect well on the Guernsey
SWCD; cooperate with co-workers; receive and implement instructions from DPA
and board of supervisors; communicate and work well with landowners without
discrimination.
·
Ability to operate field equipment (survey
equipment, water quality monitoring equipment, GPS data collector, digital
camera, etc.) with guidance and training.
·
Familiarity with popular computer software
(including, but not limited to, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher) and
willingness to learn new applications.
·
Must be insurable for government vehicle
operation and have a valid Ohio driver’s license.
·
Ability to pass a background check and pass a
drug test in order to use county and federal computer system.
WORKING CONDITIONS
·
Required to lift and carry necessary equipment;
walk over uneven, steep ground; cross fences.
·
Required to transport district rental equipment
using district vehicles.
·
Required to work in close proximity to
construction equipment while in operation.
·
Required to attend evening and weekend meetings
on occasion within and outside the county.
PERFORMANCE REVIEW
A formal performance review will be conducted annually by
the DPA. During this review, salary
advancement and items concerning the employee’s professional growth and
employment are discussed. At this time,
a set of goals for the coming year which meet with the goals of the district
will be discussed and agreed upon.