18 • The Beacon February 24 , 2022
CONSERVATION HIGH
A Pasture Walk was held in June at the Lee and Phyllis Debnar farm in Millcreek Township . This educational event focused on sheep production .
This roofed waste storage facility built in 2021 reduces nutrient runoff by providing storage for manure .
First FARM Friday was held in August with a huge crowd enjoying displays and activities about the importance of agriculture . Kristy Leindecker and Debbie Gaumer from the Garden Patch Greenhouse are shown teaching children about common vegetables .
One of 3 spring developments designed and installed in 2021 . This practice uses gravity flow to distribute water to a watering tank for animals in hard to reach pasture areas .
Technical Assistance :
One-on-one technical assistance is the backbone of the Coshocton SWCD program . Working with our federal partners , SWCD technicians have helped landowners install conservation practices that reduce erosion in pasture settings . Livestock concrete heavy use pads allow landowners to pull livestock off of pasture during winter and collect manure in manure storage facilities . Manure storage stops nutrient runoff and provides landowner flexibility to use manure as fertilizer . Spring developments provide drinking water in hard to reach places for improved grazing distribution , and access roads establish paths for equipment and animal travel . These important conservation practices address soil erosion , compaction , nutrient runoff and water quality . Coshocton SWCD technicians also coordinated the Cover Crop Program in 2021 . The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District provides cost share funds to interested producers and the program is administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture . SWCD staff assisted 33 landowners that seeded 4,362 acres of cover crops . The purpose of this program is to plant vegetation to provide a growing cover over the winter months to minimize soil erosion , increase soil organic matter , improve water infiltration , and improve water quality .
2021 Conservation Accomplishments Adult Education ............................................................................... 6 programs / 441 attendees Brush Management .................................................................................................. 211.2 acres Classroom Presentations ............................................................. 44 programs / 1,234 students Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan ..................................................................... 1 total Conservation Calendars for Teachers ................................................ 12 schools / 500 teachers Cover Crops Applied ...................................................................... 33 landowners / 4,362 acres Fall Foliage & Farm Tour .................................................................................... 1,346 attendees Fencing ......................................................................................................................... 17,936 ft . First Farm Friday .................................................................................................. 550 attendees Forest Stand Improvement ........................................................................................... 5.5 acres Forest Management Plan .............................................................................................. 11 plans Heavy Use Pads ......................................................................................... 6 Pads / 5,344 sq . ft . Inventory and Evaluation ( Technical Assistance ) ............................................................. 53 sites Livestock Pipeline .................................................................................... 4 Contracts / 2,263 ft . Pasture Walk / Workshop ............................................................................ 1 total / 40 attendees Plat Books ....................................................................................................................... 60 sold Quarterly newsletter to district cooperators ......................................... 5 issues / 10,040 copies Review lot splits for Regional Planning .................................................................... 146 reviews Roofed Waste Storage Facilities ............................................................................................... 3 Roofs and Covers ...................................................................................................................... 1 Spring Development .................................................................................................................. 3 Structures for Wildlife .............................................................................................................. 15 Tree Sale Program ............................................................ 107 Customers / 6,822 Seedlings sold Underground Outlet ..................................................................................... 2 Contracts / 148 ft . Watering Facilities ..................................................................................................................... 3 Water Quality Monitoring ...................................................................... 5 months / 180 samples