From livestock predators to homesteading basics, Ashland SWCD’s 2024 Conservation Chats have much to offer
“Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” Those are the words of Thomas Huxley.
And at Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District, we’ve taken that advice to heart in 2024. For the last year and a half, our SWCD board and staff have committed ourselves to increasing our educational outreach on conservation topics to the community, and a key part of that commitment is our Conservation Chats.
Each month, our staff work to provide education on instruction on a variety of topics. Sometimes those topics are directly related to farmers in our county, and something they are topics that connect with a more general population.
Either way, when you come to our Conservation Chats you can be sure that you’re going to hear from industry leaders on that month’s topic as well as information on how our Ashland SWCD staff can help you put the information you learned at that chat into operation at your home or in your farm fields.
And the feedback from participants has been fabulous; many of our attendees come back for multiple events and bring a friend. In fact, this year, registration for all of our Conservation Chats will be $5/person or FREE when you bring a friend. That sounds like a deal to me!
So what kinds of topics can you expect to learn about at this year’s Conservation Chats? Here’s a look and what our staff members have been working on:
Livestock Predator Management, January 27 at 20 a.m.: We’ll kick off our 2024 series with a look at growing livestock predator populations in Ashland County as we partner with the USDA and wildlife officials to address both lethal and nonlethal control measures. This all-day event will take place at the Ashland County Wildlife Conservation League and includes lunch. The morning will include classroom-style instruction with plenty of donuts to satisfy your sweet tooth. Then after a pizza lunch, we’ll head outdoors for hands-on instruction and programming.
Outstanding in the Field, February 8 at 9 a.m.: Ashland SWCD board and staff members will be serving up made-to-order omelets at the Ashland County Park District office behind Freer Field. Once your stomach is full, you’ll learn more about how to take advantage of record levels on conservation dollar investments at the state and federal levels, including funding for projects like grassed waterways. FSA staff will share the ins and outs of the cost-share application process, and SWCD staff will explore how they can help design and supervise the installation of these conservation practices. Q & A time will be included for questions on additional cost-share opportunities from USDA, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), H2Ohio, the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) and more.
We’re Rooting for You, March 21 at 6 p.m.: Valley Vista Farm and the Hall family of Jeromesville will play host as we talk about how to take your cover crop game to the next level. SWCD staff will share different cost-share opportunities through MWCD and NRCS as well as cover crop tools in our equipment rental line up including a cover crop crimper/roller and a cover crop interseeder. Bird Agronomics will share the basics of seed selection for aerial plating, and the eventing will wrap up with a panel of local cover crop farmers from Ashland and surrounding counties.
Talk Dirt to Me, April 8 at 6 p.m.: April showers bring May flowers, and this Conservation Chat will be part 1 of a 2-part homesteading series designed to help your home garden thrive this year. Held at Forbes Farmstead Market, this event will cover using rain barrels in your home and garden, the importance of soil testing and how to read the results, and tips on starting and preparing your garden, including preparing your garden for success and plant selection considerations.
Wild Things, May 18 at 9 a.m.: Come join our Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists Tim and Paula Lavey for our second annual wildflower walk at the Hazel Willis Woods near Miffllin. Last year we were able to compile an initial wildflower inventory, so this year you’ll have an idea what to look for and maybe even spot some new species! The Hazel Willis Woods is a 40-acre outdoor educational lab that was donated to Ashland SWCD in 1980. Dress for the weather and plenty of walking.
MOOchas GRASSias, June 13 at 6 p.m.: We’ll be heading back to Sycamore Valley Farm to learn tips and tricks to maximize your on-farm grazing potential. Participants will learn about the benefits of using warm-season grasses and cost share opportunities as well as talk a pasture walk to learn more about Sycamore Valley’s heritage livestock operation. SWCD staff will also share information about livestock exclusion fencing through MWCD.
WELLfare Check, July: Ashland SWCD will be partnering with Ashland and Holmes SWCD’s as well as Ohio Scenic Rivers to talk about sewage system failure and consequences as well as groundwater and private water topics. We’ll also explore the latest water quality findings on the Mohican River watershed and what that means for your water safety.
Crawdad Derby, August: Once again, we plan to return the the Mohican State Park with Ohio Scenic Rivers and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources of a splashing good time and plenty of hands-on education and fun with the crawdad derby.
Put Your Garden to Bed, Septemner: The final segment of our homesteading series will cover seed collection, cover crops for your garden, soil health, preparing your garden for winter and soil testing.
Not So Spooky Forest, October: We’ll be heading back to the Hazel Willis Woods for our 2nd annual Not So Spooky Forest event, filled with hands-on education and fun, fall forest & foliage selfies, and even some goodies to satisfy your sweet tooth
Forestry FAQs Follow Up, November: In 2022, we explored damage from the derecho storms in the Mohican State Forest and nearby private properties. Two years later, we’ll be doing a follow up to see how those sites are recovering from the storm damage.
Feces from All the Species, December: We’ll be heading back to the Ohio Theater for a look at best management practices for managing manure from a variety of different species: dairy, hogs, chickens, horses and more -literally feces from all the species.
See a topic that sparks your interest? Give us a call at 419-281-7645 for more information or to RSVP!