Ashland SWCD Chair Justin Ringler Named Ohio’s Outstanding Board Member of the Year

ASHLAND, Ohio— In the world of conservation, bring an outstanding board member isn’t just about showing up. It’s about stepping up, again and again. In 2025, no soil and water Conservation board member in Ohio did that better than Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District’s (Ashland SWCD) Chairman Justin Ringler.

Ringler was nemed the 2025 Ohio Association of Soil and Water Conservation District Employees’ Outstanding Board Member of the Year. Ringler received the award yesterday at the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ State Partnership Meeting in Columbus.

“Justin is a tireless advocate for soil and water conservation and for the agricultural industry as a whole,” said Ashland SWCD Director Jane Houin. “His leadership and dedication have played a significant role in the growth of our district. He doesn’t just support conservation from the board table — he lives it every day.”

Ashland SWCD is governed by a five-member, publicly elected board of supervisors who volunteer their time and energy to guide the district’s mission of protecting and preserving Ashland County’s soil and water resources. These supervisors set policy, provide direction, and serve as ambassadors for conservation across the county. Ringler exemplifies that role — and then some.

Ringler has served on the Ashland SWCD board since 2017 and has led as chairman since 2020 — a time that included navigating day-to-day district operations during the unforgettable challenges of COVID. (Yes, that COVID.) Through uncertainty and change, his steady leadership helped keep conservation programming moving forward.

Ringler prioritizes attending district events and programming, as well as area and state meetings. He recently hosted an area agricultural pollution training for SWCD employees at his family dairy farm, sharing firsthand knowledge and experience. This year, he also hosted Ashland County’s Soils Contest, going above and beyond by helping score the soil pits — a flashback to his Ohio State collegiate soil judging days — and taking time to explain the scoring process to FFA members during and after the contest.

His commitment to hands-on conservation leadership extends to his own operation. Ringler enrolled his Richland County cropland acres during the initial H2Ohio Western Lake Erie Basin expansion, and when the statewide expansion opened in 2024, he had his Ashland County acres enrolled by 8 a.m. on day one. He has also hosted statewide H2Ohio events at his farm, leading by example and opening his gates to advance conservation education.

“Justin is passionate about serving not only our local SWCD board, but also the agricultural community at large,” Houin said. “He believes in being a positive example of what conservation can look like in practice.”

One of Ringler’s most impactful contributions came during the district’s 2021 strategic planning process, when he proposed a simple but powerful idea: If the district could educate more people about conservation practices and programs and their importance — face-to-face — and build relationships, the rest will follow.

From that idea came Ashland SWCD’s now wildly popular monthly Conservation Chats. With more than 50 chats hosted (and counting), these outreach events have become a cornerstone of the district’s programming. They’ve helped drive participation in initiatives like cover crops and H2Ohio and strengthened community engagement across the county. Ringler continues to bring fresh ideas to the table — including a highly anticipated November 2026 chat titled “From Forest to Flask,” exploring the white oak bourbon barrel crisis.

“As a staff member, knowing that you have quality board members who are committed to conservation and have your back when things get tough is priceless,” Houin said. “I have been honored to have Justin as a board member during my entire time at Ashland SWCD, and I’m excited to get to share his story of conservation leadership with others and have him be recognized for the work he does to protect our local soil and water resources.”

For Ashland SWCD, this award reflects more than individual recognition — it highlights the strength of local leadership guiding conservation efforts in Ashland County. Volunteer supervisors like Ringler help ensure that conservation remains practical, locally driven, and rooted in community relationships.

For more information on Ashland SWCD, their supervisor election process and how you can become a board member, or on upcoming programs, contact the district at 419-281-7645 or visit www.ashlandswcd.com