(Submitted by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts)
On Saturday, Oct. 20, the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (OFSWCD) will officially celebrate the association’s 75th birthday, the “Diamond Jubilee.”
Officially created in law in October of 1943, the OFSWCD has used this year to celebrate the “Year of Conservation” and the tremendous conservation accomplishments done by Ohio’s 88 soil and water conservation districts.
Formed from supervisors representing Ohio’s first county Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) – Clark, Butler and Highland – for 75 years the OFSWCD has supported the work of Ohio’s 88 SWCDs in an effort to provide locally-driven, voluntary focused solutions to natural resource concerns in rural, suburban and urban settings.
Today, the OFSWCD is led by 440 SWCD supervisors from all 88 SWCDs. These supervisors lead nearly 500 employees who provide invaluable services to landowners, farmers, developers, educators, and many more within the counties they represent. The OFSWCD and SWCDs partner with local, state and federal partners to provide various programs and opportunities to the local constituency.
“I am humbled and honored to represent the OFSWCD,” shared OFSWCD President Harold Neuenschwander, also a Holmes SWCD Supervisor. “I’ve experienced firsthand the conservation stewardship ethic that our districts demonstrate day-in and day-out in an effort to leave the land better for future generations. Taking care of our soil, our water and our resources is truly vital to living a good life. I am pleased we are doing things today that were envisioned 75 years ago — and done with the same focus and vigor,” concluded Neuenschwander.
Learn more about conservation efforts in Ohio by visiting the OFSWCD website at www.ofswcd.org or contact your county SWCD.
