Ashland SWCD, Farm Bureau Plan Join Annual Meeting August 20
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 20 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.
Dale Libben, 2024 Cooperator of the Year
Cooperator of the Year
In 2024, Ashland SWCD will be honoring Dale Libben 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. “Don’t let Dale’s soft-spoken demeanor and quiet sense of humor fool you; Dale is a conservation ambassador!”
Houin said Libben was an early adopter of the voluntary nutrient management plan (VNMP) practice, participating the the VNMP cost-share program funded by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District that was designed as a precursor to H2Ohio’s statewide agricultural expansion. Libben also recently installed extensive waterways on his farm to help better manageme stormwater and prevent erosion. Libben is also a long-time participant in our MWCD cover crop cost-share program and was one of the first appointments for our H2Ohio enrollment sign up.
Horizon Award Winner
Roger Amos, 2024 Horizon Award Winner
Roger Amos will also be recognized as the district’s 2024 Horizon Award winner. The Horizon award recognizes a long-time pioneer and advocate for conservation in Ashland County, and Houin said Amos was an easy, unanimous choice for this year’s award.
“They say parting is such sweet sorrow, and our SWCD board members and staff were definitely sad to see Roger Amos retire from his service as an SWCD board member in December, but on the other hand, we are excited to recognize him as our 2024 Horizon award winner,” Houin said. “Before Roger served as an SWCD board member, he was a tireless advocate for agriculture, education and outreach during his long-standing tenure as the Ashland County Extension Agricultural Extension agent. Roger spent a career and how his retirement advocating and educating for the agriculture industry, leaving a long-lasting impact on the face of Ashland County agriculture.
Volunteer of the Year
Carrie Elvey, 2024 Volunteer of the Year
The final award winner for 2024 is Carrie Elvey, the district’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year.
“When our board members updated our the strategic plan for our Hazel Willis Woodsin 2021, one of the key components of that plan was revitalizing and reinvigorating the usage of the 40-acre facility,” Houin said. “Carrie was there with us from the very first strategic plan meeting and readily volunteered to serve as a member of our Hazel Willis Woods compliance committee. A former naturalist for the Wilderness Center, Carrie was instrumental in forming partnerships that allowed us to offer a year-round Nature Journalising program and Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist program at the woods. Since then, Carrie has been a tireless source of wisdom and advice, helping to generate new ideas and long-term planning goals for the woods.”
In addition to honoring these award winners, guests at the annual meeting will also hear from guest speaker Jon Burkholder about Pathfinder Farms: The Mission, the Purpose and the Opportunity. Registration is only $5 per person and includes a burger bar fordinner. Registrations must be received by August 12 by calling the Farm Bureau office at 330-263-7456.
The annual SWCD supervisor election will also be underway; voting for the election begins July 25 and runs through August 23 at the Ashland SWCD office. Voting will also be available at the annual meeting from 6-6:30 p.m.
