The Coshocton County Beacon February 26, 2020 | Page 17

February 26, 2020
The Beacon • 17
Coshocton
Soil and Water
Conservation
District
1942-2019
Celebrating 77 years of
conservation in our community
Coshocton Soil and Water
Conservation District
Reflecting on 2019
“Providing Leadership to Educate and Assist Landowners
in the Wise Management of our Natural Resources”
Our Beginnings
The Coshocton Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) celebrated 77 years of service to our
community in 2019. The Coshocton SWCD is a legally organized subdivision of State Goverment,
assigned under law the task of protecting and improving our soil and water resources. A 95%
referendum vote of Coshocton County citizens created the Coshocton SWCD on May 25, 1942.
Coshocton was the second district formed in the State of Ohio. This was the beginning of the one-
on-one technical assistance that the local SWCD program continues to this day.
Our Funding
Left: One of the first conservation
practices in the county, a photo of
Contour Strips taken in 1955.
Funding for the district begins with local appropriations from the Coshocton County Commissioners.
Additionally, the City of Coshocton provides funding for storm water management education. These
monies are matched by the State of Ohio. These funds are maintained by the County Auditor for the
operation of the Coshocton SWCD. The Coshocton SWCD works with local, state, and federal partners
to address local resource concerns.
“Something that stays constant
throughout our history is the
cooperation of Coshocton
County landowners and the
dedication of those who
have served as supervisor or
worked for the district.”
Our Leadership
Above: 2019 Board of Supervisors from left: Adrian Garber,
Kristy Leindecker, David Lapp, Beth Mullen, and Greg Waters.
Above: County Commissioner Dane Shryock and
Curtis Lee congratulate SWCD Supervisor Beth Mullen
after giving her the oath of office to begin her second
term on the Board of Supervisors.
The SWCD is directed by a Board of Supervisors that consists of 5 local leaders who are officially
elected at the SWCD Annual Meeting each year. They are the governing body that formulates
policy, prepares workload, develops the information and education programs, and manages the
business affairs of the District. These public officials serve 3 terms and serve without pay to direct
the local program. Since 1942, 48 individuals have served our community as board members, giving
generously of their time and talents to establish work priorities to be accomplished in conservation
education and technical assistance.
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