Quarterly Newsletter: Vol.62, Iss.1

2004   Tree  and  Groundcover  Sale
[info]     [form]

    The Butler SWCD is now taking orders for trees which homeowners can use for windbreaks, wildlife habitat, reforestation efforts, and aesthetic purposes.
    In general, the saplings are one to four years old, and average 10 to 18 inches in height.  Groundcover plants are rooted cuttings.  Our largest packet will be about the size of a grocery bag.  More details about each item are available by following the info and form links above.
    A limited number of bluebird boxes and wildflower seed packets are available now!  Bluebirds start looking for a housing site early in the year, and now you can help them out by stopping in and purchase a home for them soon.  The 6oz. packets contain either low-growing plant seeds or a Midwest mix of native plant seeds.
    Orders can be made by returning the enclosed order blank with your check, payable to Butler SWCD.  The deadline for ordering is Monday, March 22, 2004.  
    The distribution day will again be held at the Butler County Fairgrounds.  All orders can be picked up at Heritage Hall at the Butler County Fairgrounds on April 15 and 16 from 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.  See the map inside for directions.  A postcard will be sent to you as a reminder to pick up your order.
    As in past years, we can neither alter the contents of the packets upon request, nor deliver them to your home.  We also reserve the right to substitute species in the packets if conditions exist beyond our control.  The plants are nursery inspected to be disease-free.  The Butler SWCD cannot be responsible for their survival after they have been picked up by the customer.  Any orders left five days after the pick-up date, will be donated to another organization, and no refunds will be granted. 
    For more information, please call our office Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 4:30, at (513) 887-3720, or visit www.butlercountyohio.org/conservation.   Additional copies of the order form can be printed from the same website. 

A Road Map to Conservation Design

    Come join us Thursday, March 11th to learn about Conservation “open space” Subdivision Design.  This conference has been designed to highlight each element in the process of adopting Conservation Design as an option in your township, county or municipality.  Kirby Date, director of the Countryside Program in northeast Ohio and a regionally known expert on conservation design will discuss open space design in subdivisions and highlight the success of her program.  The dinner keynote speaker will be Robin Green.  Robin is from central Ohio and will highlight features of her 600+ acre conservation development known as Hidden Creek at the Darby.   Ms. Green is a developer and can discuss all the aspects of zoning, design, plat review and benefits of conservation developments from a developer’s point of view.   Finally, two panels of experts will discuss the benefits and results of conservation design and planning, regulations and ordinance issues.  Please plan to join us March 11th from 2:00 – 8:00 PM at Der Dutchman Restaurant and Conference Center in Waynesville.  For more information call our office or the Miami Valley RC&D office at513-695-1187.

CRP Workshop

The Butler Soil and Water Conservation District, in conjunction with the Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency will be conducting a workshop on March 25h, 2004, from 9:00 until 11:00 A.M.  This program serves as an informative session for landowners, contractors, and anyone with questions or concerns regarding CRP waterway programs.   The workshop will take place at the Agriculture building on Princeton Road.   There is no cost to attend and breakfast will be provided!  RSVP in person or via phone, by calling Ryan at 513-887-3720.

Dear Friends of Butler SWCD,

I am Kevin Fall and I am proud to serve the county as the new District Administrator.  I was born and raised in Butler County.  I grew up on a small family dairy farm three miles north of Jacksonburg, which provided a strong background to be interested and get involved in the county.  I have participated in 4-H for many years and did an internship with the OSU Extension, Butler County in the summer of 2002, and was involved in Edgewood athletics and the school’s FFA Chapter.  I worked for the Public Works department for the City of Trenton, was employed at the Harvest Land “C” Street branch, hauled fuel oil with Randy Koontz, and I worked for numerous farmers around the county, including my father on the family farm. 

After graduation, I pursued a Bachelors of Science degree at The Ohio State University.  I majored in Agricultural Crop Science and minored in Business.  While at OSU, I was involved in the OSU Crops & Soils Club, intramurals, and worked as a resident advisor in the dorms for two years where I found an interest in planning, organizing, and funding educational trips and programs.  I graduated in the spring of 2003 and began a Master of Science degree program at OSU working on integrating winter forages for pastures into a no-till row crop system.   My wife, Vickilynne, and I now reside in Middletown.

I look forward to continuing the wonderful programs that the District is working on and would like to thank and commend Mr. Carter for all his efforts in serving the County.  I anticipate working with the board, staff and especially the residents and landowners of Butler County.  I plan to work hard to uphold the strong relationship with the Butler County Commissioners and the State of Ohio to continue their financial support, which has enabled us to provide services and conservation programs.

Thank you to the board and staff for providing me this opportunity, and again, I am excited to serve the county, it’s residents and landowners and look forward to working with all of you!

Sincerely,

Kevin E. Fall
District Administrator
Butler Soil and Water Conservation District

District Receives Recognition

Your SWCD received a ‘Superior” rating, the highest award designation in the Ohio Conservation Awards Program during the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts 61^st meeting in Columbus.  Board Chairman, Norbert Lerch accepted the award from OFSWCD President, Tom Reininger, pictured above.
    State Representative Shawn Webster of Butler County met with Norb Lerch following a Legislators’ breakfast in Columbus.   Legislators were recognized for their continued support of SWCD programs throughout Ohio and awarded a special “cooperator” sign in appreciation from the OFSWCD.