Ashland SWCD, Farm Bureau Plan Joint Annual Meeting August 18

Once again, Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Ashland County Farm Bureau will be joining forces as they head back to Ashland University for their joint annual meeting on August 18 at the Myers Convocation Center.

The evening will include opportunities for community members to vote in the SWCD Supervisor Election and provide feedback on local Farm Bureau policy initiatives as well as recognize conservation and agricultural leaders in the county.

In 2025, Ashland SWCD will be honoring Rooks Brothers Farms as their Cooperator of the Year.

“When we select a cooperator of the year, we look for someone enthusiastic  about conservation and making a difference in the long-term sustainability of their farm” said Jane Houin, Ashland SWCD director. “The Rooks family are long-term advocates for conservation-focused agriculture, from being long-term participants in our Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District cover crop program to being one of the first farms to jump on board the new H2Ohio expansion into Ashland County.”

In fact, Houin said the Rooks operation was so committed to these voluntary conservation opportunities that Bob went to extraordinary measures to ensure the family farm was able to take advantage of those opportunities, including literally completing enrollment from a hospital bed..

John Jolliff will also be recognized as the district’s 2025 Horizon Award winner. The Horizon award recognizes a long-time pioneer and advocate for conservation in Ashland County, and Houin said Jolliff was an easy, unanimous choice for this year’s award.

“For decades, woodland owners in Ashland and surrounding counties have been able to rely on the expertise, advice, and input of Ohio Department of Natural Resources Service Forester John Jolliff,” Houin said. “John has shared his knowledge, wisdom and experience with landowners to help make a difference in the health and long-term sustainability of local woodlands, and the fact that he is an Ashland County resident just makes that even sweeter.”.

The final award winners for 2025 are Tim and Paula Lavey, the district’s 2025 Volunteers of the Year.

“One of the first programs our board planned in 2021 as they looked to reinvest and revitalize the Hazel Willis woods was a certified volunteer naturalist program, and the Laveys were participants in that first class,” Houin said. “Since that time, they have been tireless volunteers for our district, from serving as speakers at Conservation Chats to helping to lead invasive plant removal projects at the Hazel Willis woods. Our district just could not find two better advocates for the voluntary conservation our district is built upon.”

Meeting attendees will also be able to vote in the annual Ashland SWCD supervisor election, which is held in accordance with Chapter 940 of the Ohio Revices Code; all landowners and residents 18 years and older within Ashland County are eligible to vote in the election, which determines the board of supervisors to set the direction and priorities for Ashland SWCD. Voting will take place from July 24-August 22 at the the Ashland SWCD office at 100 Cottage Street in addition to at the annual meeting on August 18; voting is also available through absentee ballot.

Supervisors are elected to a three-year term beginning January 1, 2026. Candidates on this year’s ballot are Valerie Hall, Kent McGovern, and Justin Ringler. For more information on how to vote in the election, contact the Ashland SWCD office at 419-281-7645.

Registration is only $5 per person and includes a dinner. Registrations must be received by August 10 by calling the Ashland SWCD office at 419-281-7645.