Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Education Matters!



The Guernsey Soil & Water Conservation District has a variety of educational and hands-on activities/programs. Some of Guernsey County's local schools have been taking full advantage of all the resources we have to offer! On Monday, October 29th, our employees Mark Wallen & Madyson Epperson provided a rain barrel workshop for students at Buckeye Trail High School. They learned about the importance of conserving and reusing resources, and were able to keep the rain barrels they assembled during the workshop for use at their schools.

Thursday, November 8th, Education/Natural Resources Specialist Madyson Epperson visited Meadowbrook Middle School's Science Club to discuss some of Ohio's key wildlife species and make molds of their tracks!

And November 14th through the 16th our Education Specialist was at Brook Elementary teaching 3rd graders about recycling, 4th graders about animal adaptations and fifth graders about Ohio's Wildlife and their habitats. The students are doing art projects centered around natural resources and the environment. If you're interested in any of our resources and programs we have to offer, please call our office at (740) 489-5276 or email mepperson@guernseycounty.org



Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Field to Table Venison Workshop

Guernsey and Noble County SWCD along with Noble OSU Extension are partnering together to bring you another field to table demonstration. Learn about processing your own venison and how to preserve and cook the meat from your harvest. We hope to see you there!

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Ohio Couple Named National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year




Ohio Couple Named National
Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year

Hepatica Falls Tree Farm represents
long-term care of the land

 

COLUMBUS, OH – Randy and Koral Clum have been named the 2018 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year by the American Tree Farm System, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
“Randy and Koral Clum’s Harrison County woodland property is a stellar example of forest stewardship practices,” said Robert Boyles, Ohio’s state forester. “Not only is their land a joy to experience, but their investment has produced a thriving woodland and showcase for fellow landowners to learn about sustainable forestry. I can’t think of more deserving people than the Clums to represent Ohio for this national recognition.”
Randy and Koral are both professional consulting foresters that work with 50 to 75 other landowners annually. Clum Forestry Consultants promote and provide science-based forest management, approaching their work as an educational opportunity for clients. The couple purchased their own 153-acre Hepatica Falls Tree Farm in east-central Ohio in 1993, learning many lessons as they applied practices they advise for other landowners. The Clums have hosted numerous tours and workshops, including the 2017 Ohio Tree Farm of the Year Tour.
Both Randy and Koral began their forestry careers with the ODNR Division of Forestry, spending many of those years providing private land stewardship advice as service foresters. They are active in several woodland owner and professional forestry organizations, and they have served as tree farm inspectors. Among both Randy’s and Koral’s numerous awards and recognitions, the couple was named in 2012 by ODNR as Forest of Honor inductees for their excellent work and enthusiasm for sharing good forestry and for the many landowners they have influenced.
The Ohio Tree Farm Program was organized in 1946, bringing foresters and landowners together to apply the American Tree Farm System standards of sustainable forest management. The system includes 1,700 woodland owners across the state committed to caring for their land under a comprehensive plan developed by a professional forester. Landowners interested in the American Tree Farm System may visit ohiotreefarm.org.
The ODNR Division of Forestry works to promote the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands and the fire management program, visit forestry.ohiodnr.gov. Follow us on Instagram at @odnrforestry (instagram.com/odnrforestry).
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
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For more information, contact:
Matt Eiselstein, ODNR Office of Communications
614-265-6860
Cotton Randall, ODNR Division of Forestry
614-265-6667
Cutline: Pictured are Randy and Koral Clum, who were recently named the 2018 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year by the American Tree Farm System. Photo courtesy of Kian McKellar.

Guernsey SWCD Annual Meeting


On Tuesday, October 23, 2018, the Guernsey Soil & Water Conservation District celebrated its 76th Annual Meeting and Election at Deerassic Park Education Center. Two board members were elected to three year terms; Jo Lucas who was re-elected for her second term and newly elected board member Josh Stiers, who will begin his first term in January of 2019. Patrick Hodges and Sam Gatrell did an excellent job speaking about their experience at Camp Canopy which the district sponsored them to attend this year. Sam has been attending the past few years and this year he tested 5th overall at the camp out of nearly 100 participants which earned him a $1,000 scholarship to Zane State College.
 Mr. Louis Thornton was then honored as the 2018 Cooperator of the Year. Lou has diligently worked with the district and its partners this year as well as in years past. Lou has gone above and beyond making his beef operation work to its full potential. He has been gracious enough to hold workshops at his farm for the public to attend and show how certain conservation practices can improve an operation.
 We were delighted to have Tommy Butler from the USDA speak about Black Vultures and their increasing presence in Ohio and Guernsey County. 

The district would like to thank all who came out to celebrate the evening with them. Guernsey Soil & Water would like to extend a sincere thank you to Bill Bertram, who after 12 dedicated years of service to the district decided not to seek re-election. Mr. Bertram has assisted the district diligently during his time on the board and has helped guide the district through the years. We would like to wish him, his wife Shirley, and the rest of their family the very best. 

We would also like to give a special thank you to Orr’s Drive-In, Mosser Glass, The Engine House and M&M Feed who were generous enough to donate door prizes for our meeting. Its local businesses like yours that make our county so great!