Is your pasture looking a little tired, thin, or weedy? It might be trying to tell you something. In this month's column, Ashland SWCD Director Jane Houin shares how soil testing, grazing management, frost seeding, and a little pasture TLC can turn worn-out fields into productive, resilient forage systems.
Read MoreThink clean water just happens? Think again! From testing streams to hunting for tiny aquatic critters that reveal the health of our waterways, Ashland SWCD is working with volunteers to keep a finger on the pulse of our local streams. Discover how you can make a splash and join us for our upcoming Water You Waiting For? Stream Exploration event.
Read MoreEver wonder where a raindrop goes after it splashes past your windshield, your barn roof, or your downtown sidewalk? Spoiler: it’s not just disappearing—it’s taking a winding tour through the Mohican watershed, picking up stories (and sometimes a little trouble) along the way. Follow its journey to see how farms, towns, and backyards all play a role in what ends up flowing downstream.
Read MoreWho says conservation can't be a team sport? Ashland SWCD has named Mapleton Cares Day its 2026 Volunteer of the Year in recognition of a decade of community service and several years of hands-on conservation projects at Hazel Willis Woods. From planting trees and creating pollinator habitat to tackling invasive species, these students are proving that a few hours of volunteer work can leave a lasting impact on Ashland County
Read MoreWhat’s flowing beneath the surface of the Mohican River—and why does it matter more than ever? Join Ashland SWCD for a hands-on dive into stream health, water quality, and the real-world challenges and opportunities shaping one of Ohio’s most beloved Scenic Rivers. You’ll get your feet wet, your curiosity fired up, and a fresh look at how everyday actions can help protect our local waterways and the vibrant outdoor economy they support.
Read MoreWhat if you could plant your next crop before you even harvest the first one? Aerial cover crop seeding is helping farmers get a head start on soil health, erosion control, and nutrient management—all from above. Discover why more producers are looking skyward this fall and how Ashland SWCD's September 8 aerial seeding program can help your fields stay productive long after harvest is over.
Read MoreIs your pasture thriving—or quietly begging for help? 🌱🐄 From bare spots and weeds to grazing heights and stream health, your pasture is constantly sending signals. Learn how to decode what it's telling you and discover simple management practices that can boost forage production, protect water quality, and improve your bottom line.
Read MoreWhat do you get when local artists, community-minded businesses and a bunch of ordinary rain barrels come together? Ashland SWCD's 7th Annual Rain Beat on Main Street, of course! Stroll through a colorful outdoor gallery, learn how rain barrels help protect local waterways, and bid on your favorite one-of-a-kind creations while supporting conservation education across Ashland County..
Read MoreWhat does conservation look like in action? At Sundance Valley Farm, it looks like pollinator habitat buzzing with life, healthier soils underfoot and a landowner willing to open the gate and share what he’s learned along the way. Meet Ashland SWCD’s 2026 Cooperator of the Year and discover why Heath White’s passion for stewardship — and a little bourbon talk at this year’s Forest to Flask event — is giving conservation a fresh new story to tell.
Read MoreManure may not be glamorous, but when managed well, it’s one of the most valuable tools on the farm. Ashland SWCD Director Jane Houin shares practical tips on summer manure application, protecting neighbor relations and using cover crops to keep nutrients where they belong — in the field, not our waterways. Plus, learn how Ashland SWCD and the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District can help producers with cover crop cost share opportunities this fall.
Read MoreWhat happens when you combine real-world farming experience, cover crop know-how, and a little Ohio ingenuity? You get “Cover Your Bases,” Ashland SWCD’s July 1 Conservation Chat at Twin Oaks Farm. Join local producers and conservation experts for an evening of practical advice on cover crops, aerial seeding, soil health, water quality, and protecting Ashland County’s rolling farmland from erosion — all from people who’ve put these practices to work in the field.
Read MoreYour cover crops have more to say about your farm’s future than you might think—are you listening? 🌱👂 Join us July 1 at Twin Oaks Farm to uncover smarter seeding strategies, funding opportunities, and tools that’ll help your fields work harder (and look better) year-round. 🚜💧
Read MoreWhat’s happening beneath your boots might matter more than what’s growing above them—because roots are quietly calling the shots all season long. Ashland SWCD Director Jane Houin digs in to how this underground workforce builds better soil, holds water when it counts, and keeps Ashland County farms thriving from the ground up.
Read MoreFrom rye to radishes, Ashland County farmers are discovering that the real “cover charge” pays them back—healthier soils, cleaner water, and stronger yields. With cost-share dollars on the table and even airplanes doing the seeding, Ashland SWCD Conservation Planning Specialist Liz Golias says this is one farm trend that’s truly taking root.
Read MoreSpring showers may bring flowers—but they also bring a fast-moving taxi service for soil, nutrients, and pollutants headed straight for our streams. 🌧️ Before that runoff makes a splash where it shouldn’t, Ashland SWCD Water Quality Specialist Zoey Dudte shares a few simple ways farmers, gardeners, and homeowners can keep more water (and the good stuff in it) right where it belongs. 🌱💧
Read MoreSwap the hum of classroom lights for birdsong and filtered sunshine at Learning Under the Canopy, a hands-on outdoor workshop hosted by Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District on June 8 at Hazel Willis Woods. 🌳📚 With wildlife curriculum training from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, fresh air, and a few tree-mendous teaching ideas, this professional development day might just be the most inspiring classroom you’ve ever stepped into. 🐦✨
Read MoreFrom spring showers to summer downpouts, checking weather patterns with higher intensity, more frequent storms often results in increase calls about drainage complaints in our office. Ashland SWCD Director & Floodplain Administrator Jane Houin helps clear the muddy water regarding drainage issues, even when the answer is not always the one you want to hear.
Read MoreThink spring’s best flowers live in a garden? Think again. Join us at Hazel Willis Woods on May 23 for Woodland Wonders, where you’ll discover rare wildflowers, learn the stories behind what’s blooming (and what shouldn’t be), and see what’s growing next at this local natural gem. Just don’t wait—this walk has a habit of selling out.
Read MoreThat first flush of green has everyone itching to open the gate—but your pasture might not be as ready as you think. Ashland SWCD Director Jane Houin says grazing too early is like spending next month’s paycheck today: it feels good now, but you’ll pay for it later. Hold off just a little longer, and your grass (and your bottom line) will thank you all season.
Read MoreBefore you spread a single pound of fertilizer this spring, make sure you know what your soil actually needs. In this practical, easy-to-follow post, Ashland SWCD Water Quality Specialist Zoey Dudte explains why soil testing is the smartest first step for gardens, lawns, and farm fields alike. From saving money on fertilizer to boosting plant health and yields, Zoey breaks down the real value behind those test results—plus shares simple tips on how to collect a proper sample. If you’re aiming for greener lawns, healthier crops, and better results this season, this is your go-to starting point.
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