Wednesday, December 4, 2024






We are pleased to announce a grazing workshop scheduled for January 7th, 2025. This comprehensive workshop is designed to assist producers in developing effective drought management strategies for pastures and hay fields, as well as creating a grazing system the mitigates extreme weather conditions. For further information or to register, please contact our office at 740-489-5276.




 

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In conjunction with Guernsey SWCD & MWCD water can be withdrawn from Seneca Lake and Piedmont Reservoir for use of watering LIVESTOCK ONLY.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! 


https://www.canva.com/design/DAF23wGBhc0/9C_nF6CCxmxGict25J-R-Q/view?utm_content=DAF23wGBhc0&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor



Friday, September 1, 2023

 

Guernsey Soil and Water Conservation District Election

 On Thursday November 2nd, the Guernsey Soil and Water Conservation District will be holding their 81st annual meeting and banquet.  Every year the GSWCD holds an annual meeting for the purpose of electing members to the five-member board that comprises the board of supervisors for the district.  This year there will be two members elected to a three-year term.

 

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.

 To Apply: Please email cover letter and resume to Madyson Black @ mepperson@guernseycounty.org

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

      ·        Provide technical assistance to and education of individual landowners to solve issues related to             human/wildlife conflict or habitat enhancement for wildlife.

·        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. 

 

 QUALIFICATIONS

      ·        Minimum 2-year degree in wildlife, forestry, or natural resources management or related field.

·        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

      ·        Occasionally performs duties during inclement weather.

·        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.