(As submitted by the Wood Soil & Water Conservation District)
The Wood SWCD held its 67th Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet and the 4th annual Conservation ATV Tour on Saturday, September 10th at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), near Hoytville.
The day began at 9:00 a.m. with a conservation ATV tour, sponsored by Mid-Wood, in southern Wood County. Over 50 ATV riders were escorted by the Wood County Sheriff Auxiliary as they traveled the byways visiting the lagoon in Custar managed by the Northwestern Water and Sewer District, learning how the data collected at the Edge of Field (EOF) monitoring stations is helping farmers manage applied nutrients, touring Graminex pollen collection facility, and stopping by the fields of an organic grain farmer.
The Wood SWCD board of supervisors election was held at OARDC 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with Dale Limes, Dennis Ferrell, and Lee Sundermeier as candidates. Incumbents, Dennis and Lee, were elected to serve three year terms beginning January 1, 2017.
Ron Snyder, National Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s Soil Health Champion and Wood SWCD supervisor, presented “Soil Your Undies.”
In addition to the election during the lunch program, awards were presented for Farm Beautification to Dan and Jan Wilson, of Rudolph; Backyard Conservationist to Doug and Cathy Irick; and Friend of the District to the Wood County Sheriff.
The John Hirzel Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Amanda Barndt, Bowling Green. Amanda is a junior at Northwest State Community College.
In 1975, the late Harold and Iva Lou Bordner established the Farm Beautification Award. The award was designed to encourage farmers’ pride in their farmsteads and is continued through the Wood Soil & Water Conservation District.
Each year nominations are accepted and the winning farm is chosen after considering such things as the condition of the buildings, care and upkeep of the garden and lawn, landscaping, windbreaks, absence of unnecessary equipment, and the overall appearance.
Farm Beautification Award was given to Dan and Jan Wilson.
The 2016 Farm Beautification Award is presented to Dan and Jan Wilson of Rudolph. For nearly 130 years the Potter farmstead is the place the family has called home. Dan’s great-grandfather, Clarence Potter, purchased the house and surrounding land in 1889 and continued to build the family farm for livestock and grain production. The larger remaining outbuilding is one of two 3-story buildings used to store straw and hay. An intricate trolley system made it possible to stack the barn full. The smaller remaining outbuilding is known as the playhouse. It has been relocated multiple times on the property through the years with one spot being near the road so the children had a place to wait for the bus out of the weather.
Modern improvements and additions to the home and property were done with care as to always welcome the extended family home for holidays and celebrations. A new, more efficient barn stands in the place of the original gambrel roof barn which blew down in a severe storm along with a few of the maple trees. The great oaks greeting each visitor are at the entrance of the drive are original to the farm. The stand of maple trees and spirea were planted in the 1940’s.
Dan and Jan moved to the farmstead in 1991 and continued to raise their family and build the family farm. Dan is the 4th generation to farm and plans are in place for the next generation to continue the tradition.
The Backyard Conservationist Award, sponsored in partnership with The Andersons, is designed to recognize homeowners in rural Wood County for taking steps in conserving soil and water resources right where they live. The winning home site is selected by considering backyard conservation practices such as the use of rain barrels, ponds, composting, rain gardens, vegetable and flower gardens, windbreaks and prairie grasses.
The 2016 Backyard Conservationist Award is presented to Doug and Cathy Irick of Rudolph. Cathy will quickly admit that the success of their conservation projects are due to Doug’s dedication and physical labor. “It’s all him,” she says. The Iricks have been utilizing backyard conservation practices at their home for at least 30 years. Establishing a windbreak and using the pond water were among the first steps in conservation on their 3 1⁄2 acre property.
The family vegetable garden has grown to feed 3 families. So far this year, Doug has put-up 80 quarts of spaghetti sauce and 60 quarts of whole tomatoes. Doug’s favorite thing to grow, he says, is garlic. It is the first thing to come up in the spring; even through the snow. It’s part of his tomato canning recipe, too. They also can red beets, but freeze the corn and peppers. Potatoes are stored for use throughout the year and the grapes are made into grape juice.
Within the last five years, Cathy suggested getting a few bees and a couple of chickens. 22 hives later and a charming chicken coop housing a half a dozen chickens, give or take a few, are now part of his hobby. The plants and chicken manure are composted for the garden and a cover crop is planted at the end of the growing season. Several wildflower beds are throughout the yard to promote pollination and honey production. Not only is this backyard a wonderful example of utilizing conservation practices, it is also a lovely space enjoyed by family and friends.
Composting the yard and garden waste, establishing windbreaks, utilizing pond water for gardening, and creating habitat for pollinators are qualities of a backyard conservationist.
As the Wood Soil and Water Conservation District developed through the past 67 years, several individuals and organizations outside of the district staff and board have helped with the success of programs and initiatives for conservation practices and education. The Wood Soil and Water Conservation District honor individuals and organizations which we feel have gone beyond the call of duty by recognizing them with the “Friend of the District Award.”
Four years ago, two of the SWCD supervisors had an idea. It was a bit of a stretch and we knew we would need the help of the Wood County Sheriff’s office to make it a reality. After meeting with Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn and his office, we were able to make the Conservation ATV Tour happen. The support and willingness to spend the day safely escorting multiple ATV around Wood County contributes to the success of the ATV tour. Thank you to the Wood County Sheriff’s office for your dedication to the safety of Wood County and cooperation with the Wood Soil and Water Conservation District.
The Wood SWCD was fortunate to have had the late John Hirzel serve on the board of supervisors. John’s interest in all aspects of the district’s programs helped us to grow in many ways. Ideas concerning innovative farming practices, interest in expanding our conservation education efforts, and promotion of good stewardship practices were just a few of the many seeds he planted for the district. These seeds continue to grow and John’s spirit lives on. As a lasting expression of our gratitude, the Wood Soil and Water Conservation District has established the John Hirzel Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship, funded by the district, is awarded annually to a college student entering their junior or senior year pursuing either an agricultural or natural resources course of study. This year we award Amanda Barndt of Bowling Green.
Amanda is Junior at Northwest State Community College studying Crop and Business Management. She has been an intern with Legacy Farmers for two years and served ice cream at the Sundae Station for four years. Amanda was a member of the Colorful Clovers 4-H club for four years, served on the Wood County Junior Fair Board, served as the reporter for the Bowling Green FFA and a Wood County camp counselor.
