Post on 27-Jun-2020
THE DIRT ON CONSERVATION Winter Newsletter January 2015
Harrison Soil & Water Conservation District
SWCD Upcoming Events
Crop Production Partnership ~ March 19th, April 16th
Eastern Ohio Grazing Council ~ 4th Thurs. Jan-Oct
Tri County Agronomy Day ~ February 19th -Carroll Co.
Backyard Food Production ~ 2nd Thurs. Mar-Oct
Ag Breakfast ~ March 21st Capraro ’s Restaurant
Grazing Series ~ March 31st, April 7th & 14th, & 18th
Sales– tree, fish, rain barrel– due March 27th
*Visit www.hswcd.org for the calendar of events
Using Trees to Meet Your Needs Would you like to attract more birds to your property? Do you want to prevent erosion or stabilize a stream bank? Would you like to provide pollen and nectar for butterflies and bees? Do you need a windbreak or privacy hedge? These are just a few of the possible uses for seedlings which can be purchased from the HSWCD tree sale. A wide variety of trees are offered in order to meet the various needs and projects you may have in mind. Many of these tree species will be familiar to you, while others are less commonly seen today. Several of the species offered serve multiple functions. For instance, if you live in town on a smaller lot, want to attract birds and grow fruit, you might try the American Plum or American Elderberry. If you don’t want the fruit, but enjoy the beauty of flowering trees, an Eastern Redbud or Flowering Dogwood might be a better choice for you. Consider planting Ninebark instead of a Butterfly Bush. Ninebark is a native shrub which has beautiful flower clusters which attract bees and butterflies. n addition, it is a multi-season plant with nice fall color and peeling bark which provides winter interest. Deciduous trees can be great energy savers as well as providing beautiful fall color. Planted on the southern side of your house the tree will provide shade in summer and allow sunshine to warm the house in the winter after you've enjoyed the beautiful fall colors. Both Sugar Maple and Red Maple provide good shade and beauti-ful fall color. A Scarlet Oak would also be a good choice for color and shade. All of the trees offered are native to the region, except for the Blue Spruce. Native trees fit into the local ecosys-tem by providing food (nuts, fruit, pollen) and habitat (nesting sites, shelter) for native wildlife. Native plants tend to grow better and have less problems than non-native plants when correctly located. Shade/Sun, dry/wet soil, and soil pH should all be considered when choosing the best tree for your site. These plants are offered as seedlings to allow a large cost savings to you. While seedlings are small, they are also easier to plant. The low price allows you to purchase a large quantity or try something new. A listing of all the trees being offered this year and an order form can be found towards the back of the newsletter.
Getting Started Grazing Series
March 31st, April 7th, April 14th & a field day April 18th
6:30-9:00 pm ; Field day 10:00 am-2:00 pm
USDA Service Center Hopedale, Ohio
Tri-County Agronomy Day to Include Fertilizer Certification
CORE Session
Forages
Fumigation
Weed Control Programs for corn & soybeans
Fertilizer Certification Class (after lunch)
Pre-registration is required by Feb. 12. Call 330-627-4310. $35 per person and lunch is included. Please
pay at the door. Make checks payable to OSU Extension. No credit cards accepted. Farm Bureau Members
receive $10 discount. Have your FB membership number available when registering.
*If you wish to receive the fertilizer certification, you can attend the afternoon session at no cost. Please call to register.
Registration is required by March 23rd. Please call the
Harrison SWCD office 740-942-8837 to reserve your seat.
Cost is $35.00 per farm ( $35.00 for additional books)
Thursday, February 19, 2015
9:00am-4:00 pm
Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum
Hosted by Harrison, Jefferson, & Carroll Soil & Water Con-
servation Districts, Natural Resource Conservation Service,
& OSU Extension.
Topics include:
Getting started with managing inten-
sive grazing
Pasture plant growth
Meeting animal requirements
Environmental impacts of grazing
Pasture fertility
Paddock layout & design
How soils affect grazing
Economics of grazing
Water systems
Fencing
Marketing
Mineral supplementation
Extended grazing season
Looking forward, looking back - HSWCD 70 year anniversary Kathy Depew, Fiscal Agent, HSWCD Board of Supervisors The start of a new year is traditionally a time to review the past and use this information to form a plan for the fu-ture. This year marks the 70th anniversary for the Harrison Soil and Water Conservation District (HSWCD) which was officially organized May 23, 1945. It was the 38th district to be formed in Ohio and encompasses all of Harri-son County. The overall goal of the HSWCD is soil and water conservation through education and technical sup-port to the community. Over the course of the year we will share with you our local SWCD history, accomplish-ments and plans for the future. First, a quick overview of Ohio SWCDs. The Ohio SWCDs goals have expanded over the last 70 years. The Soil Con-servation Districts (SCD) were conceived after the catastrophic dust storms of the 1930s in recognition of the need to conserve our agricultural soil. Years lat-er, as interest in watershed protection increased, the mission expanded to in-clude water conservation. The name of the districts changed from SCD to SWCD with the inclusion of water in the title. The emphasis on agricultural ac-tivities grew to include additional activities, both urban and rural, which might impact soil and water conservation. The passage of the Clean Water Act added additional emphasis on water conservation and pollution abatement. The ability to adapt to these changing needs has allowed the SWCDs to remain relevant and useful over all these years. A unique advantage of the SWCD organization within the state is the high level of local decision-making and goal development. This structure provides the SWCDs the ability to tailor the programs to meet the needs of the local community. Each SWCD has a different emphasis depending upon the make-up of the county: rural/urban; agriculture/industry. Depending on local need, districts have added natural resource conservation projects benefiting recreation, forestry, and wildlife. This seemingly broad range of conservation topics always remains rooted in soil and water conservation. At the annual meeting our staff solicited input regarding topics of interest… If you were not at the meeting, take a few moments to reflect on the work the HSWCD has done in the past and what you might like to see accom-plished in the future. Please share with us your ideas and thoughts on planning for the future.
Order Rain Barrels Now for Our May Workshop!
New for 2015, Harrison SWCD is offering rain barrel kits for purchase in
conjunction with our spring tree and fish sales. Rain barrels attach to your
downspout to capture runoff from your roof. This water can be utilized later
for watering plants and gardens or other uses. In addition to providing a free
water source, rain barrels reduce flooding and improve water quality in near-
by streams.
Our rain barrel kits feature a 55 gallon food grade plastic drum with a re-
movable lid to allow for easy cleaning of the rain barrel. The kits include all
the fittings, spigots, and connectors needed to build the barrel.
We are offering 2 pricing options for the rain barrel kits. Option A is to pur-
chase the rain barrel kit for $45 and attend our May Backyard Food Produc-
tion Workshop (May 8th), where we will build the rain barrels together. Op-
tion B is to purchase the same kit at $50, but assemble it on your own
rather than attending the workshop. Additionally, Option C is to purchase
just a plastic 55 gallon drum with no kit. You can then purchase the additional fitting and valves on your own.
These barrels are different than those that come with the kits as they do not have a removable lid. If you plan to
attend the workshop, you will need Option A, as we will not cover how to assemble these barrels.
An order form for rain barrels, as well as our tree and fish sale can be found at the back of this newsletter.
Glen Kelly explains soils properties to Wood
Thompson (HSWCD Board Member, 1961-1981)
[USDA-SCS, 1969]
Harrison and Carroll countieshave funding available to assistwith the cost of installing fence toexclude livestock from streamswithin the Muskingum RiverWatershed. In addition toproviding funding for fencing, theprogram can also cover cost ofstream crossing stabilization andoffstream watering systemsassociated with projects thatexclude livestock from the stream.
Fencing livestock from streamshas positive impacts on waterquality by reducing sediment inthe stream and reducingstreambank erosion. By keepinganimal waste out of the stream,bacteria and nutrients entering thestream are also reduced.
Aside from the environmentalbenefits, excluding livestock fromstreams improves herd health.Livestock with clean watersources gain more weight, more
quickly than those whose onlywater source is the stream.
If you are interested in applyingfor costshare through thisprogram, contact your localSWCD office to find out moredetails or begin the applicationprocess.
While this funding is onlyavailable for property within theMuskingum River Watershed,your local SWCD and NRCSoffices can provide free technicalassistance to landownersanywhere in the county.
This program is funded by theODNR, Division of Wildlife (75%)through a grant from the US Fishand Wildlife Service and theMWCD (25%). Technical andadministrative support is providedby the Ohio Department ofNatural Resources Division of Soiland Water Resources.
Across the Watersheds|OF ATWOOD, LEESVILLE, TAPPAN, & CLENDENING LAKES
In This Issue:
Stream Exclusion Funding
Cover Crop Success
4th Grade Field Days a Hit
New Web Resources
WATERSHED:the area ofland where all ofthe water that is under it ordrains offofit goes into thesame place.
The SWCD Watershed Programis a partnership betweenHarrison Soil & WaterConservation District (SWCD),Carroll SWCD, and MuskingumWatershed Conservancy District.The program is focused onmaintaining and improving waterquality in the watersheds of fourlakes: Atwood, Leesville, Tappan,and Clendening. Through theWatershed Specialist position,the SWCD offices are working tomonitor water quality, inventoryresources, educate the public,and implement practices tobenefit these watersheds.
Stream Exclusion Funding Available
For the past few year, landownersin Harrison and Carroll countyhave had the opportunity to applyfor funding to assist withestablishing a cover crop on theirfields following the crop harvest.
These cover crops provideprotection to the soil during wintermonths and spring rains, helpingto reduce soil erosion, holdnutrients in place, break up soilcompaction, and increase soilhealth.
In 2014, five landowners in thewatersheds above Atwood,Leesville, Tappan, andClendening Lakes participated inthis program.
Based on calculations done bythe SWCD, these cover cropsreduced nutrients and sedimententering the stream by:
5,760 pounds of nitrogen 1,490 pounds of phosphorus 1,698 tons of sediment
This program will be continuing in2015. If you are interested inparticipating contact your localSWCD office. Additionally, theCrop Production Partnership willbe hosting several workshops andfield days in the coming monthsexploring a wide range of topics,including cover crops.
Cover Crops Protect Land & Lakes
| Across the Watersheds
4th Graders Learn AboutErosion at Field Day
In September, 4th grade studentsfrom Scio, Jewett, Dellroy,Carrollton and Augusta attendedfield days hosted at Zitko Farms inHarrison County and CampNEOSA in Carroll County.
Students had the opportunity toexperience handson education,with topics including native andpoisonous plants, recycling,wildlife, butterflies, forestry,livestock, and soils.
In addition to these topics, bothfield days included a session onwatersheds and streambankerosions.
Students were able to observe howstreambank erosion occurs usingthe Streamulator stream table. Thistable simulates the behaviours ofan actual stream and students hadthe opportunity to build a streamand see how changes to thestream and streambanks impactflooding, erosion and howsediment moves in the stream.
If you want to learn more aboutour local lake watersheds, all thedetails about the SWCDwatershed program online at:
www.hswcd.org/watersheds
This new resource has detaileddescriptions of each of thewatershed areas and the resourceconcerns for those areas. Detailsabout our water quality monitoringprogram and volunteeropportunities are featured as well.Additionally, information about
any current projects happening inthe watersheds will be madeavailable here. There is alsoinformation about the currentwatershed education programsoffered, as well as a list ofwatershedrelated resources.
Any information available from thewebsite is also available at theHarrison or Carroll SWCD officeby speaking to the WatershedSpecialist.
Watersheds on the Web
Tree Seedling Sale
Conifers
American Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis: Survives in a vari-
ety of conditions, long lived, medium
sized. Makes for great windbreaks,
animal habitat, and privacy.
Tamarack (Larch)
Larix laricina: A fast growing decidu-
ous conifer prefers poorly drained
soils. It is useful for shade, bank sta-
bilization, and fence posts.
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobes: Occurs in a variety of
conditions, prefers acidic, moist,
deep soils. Good for bird nesting
sites, younger trees make good
windbreaks.
Blue Spruce
Picea pungens: Slow growing, long
lived, with dense foliage. Good for
wind breaks, animal habitat, privacy.
Shrubs and Small Trees
American Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis: Grows best
in full sun, will form thickets, tolerates
variety of conditions. Edible in a vari-
ety of ways, attracts many birds,
many different uses for the wood,
caution should be observed around
livestock.
Willow pack
Salix spp.: This willow mix is quick
growing but will not become overly
tall. They will probably form more of
a shrub like appearance. Willows
prefer wetter soils and are great for
soil stabilization, wildlife habitat and
occasionally browsed for food.
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida: Slow growing, pink
to white flowers in spring, red ber-
ries in fall, prefers well drained soils,
and is shade tolerant. This is an
ornate tree that can add color to any
area.
Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius: A very hardy
shrub, prefers moist soils, but toler-
ates a wide variety of locations. It
produces a large cluster of white
flowers that form into small red fruit.
Provides great cover for many ani-
mals and is a seed source for birds.
PawPaw
Asimina triloba: Quick growing, small
tree, prefers shade when young but
not when older, produces maroon
flowers in spring, browse resistant
leaves. This tree produces large edi-
ble fruit. Can be difficult to establish
but the payoff is well worth it.
Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana: Slow growing,
medium sized tree, very versatile to
site conditions. Consistent edible fruit
production, high wildlife use, bright
yellow fall color, white flower.
Shrubs and Small Trees (continued)
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis: Fast
growing, small tree, prefers
open areas and moist soils.
Has a pink/purple flower,
and is very showy in the
spring.
American Plum
Prunus americana: Fast growing, small
tree/ large shrub, tolerates wide variety of
soils and sites, prefers being open grown.
Pale pink flowers in spring, medium sized
edible fruit, very good animal habitat and
food sources, can form thickets
Large Trees
Black Walnut
Juglans nigra: Medium to large
tree, tolerates occasional flood-
ing or drought, does not tolerate
shade. Edible nut, highly valued
timber species.
Black gum
Nyssa sylvatica: Medium sized, long
lived, slow growing, prefers acidic soil,
shade intolerant. Has food value to birds,
the fall foliage is spectacular, deep blue
fruit.
Kentucky Coffeetree
Gymnocladus dioicus: Medium
to large tree, slow growing, pre-
fers rich soils, somewhat shade
tolerant. Produces large pods
that contain seeds that when
roasted were used as a coffee
substitute by settlers
River Birch
Betula nigra: Medium sized, fast growing
tree, prefers wet sites, but tolerates
many. The papery looking bark and
weeping lower branches cause this tree
to be widely planted for its aesthetics.
Sugar Maple,
Acer saccharum: Medium sized,
fast growing, prefers well
drained soil, and tolerates shady
conditions. Many species of
wildlife will utilize this tree,
Prized in parts for syrup produc-
tion, and timber production.
American Hazelnut,
Corylus americana: This large shrub pre-
fers well drained sites, flowers early so
will only have large nut crops every 4-5
years, prefers full sun. It is great habitat
for birds but also provides edible nuts to
humans. This tree is an important food
source for a wide range of wildlife from
grouse to deer.
Red Maple
Acer rubrum: A little smaller than the
Sugar Maple, this tree prefers more sun-
light, It is adaptable to a wide range of
soil types and areas with use as a shade
tree and a source of seeds for wildlife.
Large Trees (continued)
Chinkapin Oak
Quercus mmuehlenbergii: Small to
medium sized for an oak, slow
growing and long lived, prefers well
drained sites. In the white oak
group, this tree is very attractive to
wildlife for production of one of the
sweetest acorns. Leaves are similar
to the chestnut, and chestnut oak.
Scarlet oak
Quercus coccinea: Small to Medium
sized red oak, fast growing, and long
lived, does best on well drained and up-
land sites.. Fall color is crimson , nut
production is important to wildlife, with a
bumper crop of acorns every 3-5 years
and are browsed heavily by wildlife.
Red Oak
Quercus rubra: Medium to large
tree, long lived and fast growing,
somewhat tolerant to shade and
drought but not flooding. Widely
grown and can be an important
timber species, this can be an im-
portant source of food for deer.
Swamp White Oak
Quercus bicolor: This medium white
oak, grows quickly, prefers wet sites,
and open areas. This tree produces
large acorns regularly, eaten by many
wildlife species especially water foul.
White Oak
Quercus alba : Can get to massive
proportions, long lived, grows best
in the open with moist but not wet
soils, resistant to drought. Acorn
production will occasionally have
bumper crop, commonly seen
throughout the Midwest, utilized by
wildlife as a food source.
Bitternut Hickory
Carya cordiformis: Medium sized, long
lived and slow growing, moderately
shade tolerant, prefers moist sites but
will tolerate a wide range. The wood is
prized for wood working, and flavoring
food when burned. Does not have shag-
gy bark like other hickories and smaller
nut is easier to clean up in a yard.
American Chestnut
Castanea dentata- Can grow very large, and grows quickly, toler-
ant of shade, and drought, but sensitive to wet sites. What we are
offering is pure American chestnut that has been propagated from
trees found still growing in the United States. The wood is very rot
resistant. The nuts are very good to eat and utilized by wildlife
when available. While they might succumb to blight after several
years, the opportunity to plant this important part of history is
something not to be missed.
Honey Locust (thornless)
Gleditsia triacanthos var. Inermis: Medi-
um sized, quick growing, tolerant of
most situations. This variety is thornless
and provides a much nicer version to
plant around a house. Seeds are used
by squirrels, deer and some birds.
Tulip Poplar
Liriodendron tulipfera: A tall quick
growing tree, prefers deep, well
drained soils. An important tree in
timber production and also a very
nice landscaping tree. Has a large
showy yellow flower in the spring.
Tree, Fish, & Rain Barrel Sale
The Harrison Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) annual Tree &
Shrub Seedling Sale is going thru March.
We are offering 28 different species of tree seedlings, all but one being
species native to this area. The fish sale will offer 8 species for stocking
ponds, including many gamefish, grass carp, and minnows.
This year, we are also selling rain barrels and the rain barrel sale will be
followed by a workshop to build your rain barrel in April.
When selecting trees to order, be sure to consider your site conditions
and the tree descriptions located on the previous pages. If you have any
questions, don’t hesitate to contact our office for recommendations.
Additional order forms and more information are available at hswcd.org
or by calling the Harrison SWCD at 740-942-8837.
Orders not picked up during the dates and times listed will be con-
sidered a donation to the SWCD office unless previously arranged.
Item ( All come in packs of 5) Cost Qty Total
Arborvitae $5
Tamarack $7
White Pine $5
Blue Spruce $5
American Elderberry $6
Ninebark $7
Flowering Dogwood $5
Native Willow Mix $6
Pawpaw $12
Persimmon $5
Eastern Redbud $5
American Plum $6
American Hazelnut $5
Black Walnut $5
Black Gum $7
Kentucky Coffeetree $8
River Birch $6
Sugar Maple $7
Red Maple $5
Tulip Poplar $5
Honey Locust (thornless) $6
American Chestnut $12
Chinkapin Oak $5
Scarlet Oak $5
Red Oak $5
Swamp White Oak $5
White Oak $5
Bitternut Hickory $7
Tree Shelters (Pack of 5) $10
TOTAL DUE
Limited Quantities Available. Orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Seedlings and plants are quality stock. Harrison SWCD offers no guarantee of
survival due to weather and planting conditions not under our control.
Fish Orders
Description Quantity Price Total
Largemouth Bass 2-3” $ .85/each
Bluegill 2-4” $ .75/each
Catfish 4-5” $ .75/each
Perch 2-3” $ .80/each
Crappie 2-4” $ .85/each
Shell Cracker (Red Ear) 2-4” $ .85/each
Flathead Minnow 1-2” $ .07/each
White Amur 8-11” $14.00/each
TOTAL DUE $
Tree Orders
Fish Order Deadline: Friday March 27 Fish Order Pickup: April 2, 11 am to Noon
Name:________________________________
Address:______________________________
City:_____________ State:____ Zip:________
Phone #:______________________________
Email:________________________________
Send Order Form & Payment to
Harrison SWCD
538 North Main Street, Cadiz, OH 43907
Deadline for all orders is March 27
Tree Order Deadline: Friday March 27 Tree Order Pickup: April 16-17
Description Price Order Quantity
Option A: Rain Barrel Kit and registration for $45
Option B: Rain Barrel Kit and instructions to $50
Option C: Plastic 55 gallon drum, non- $10
TOTAL DUE $
Rain Barrel Orders
Rain Barrel Order Deadline: Friday March 27
Supervisors
Craig Brokaw
Tillie Heavilin
Lynn Mendenhall
John Herbold
Kathy Depew
Staff
Keila Telfer
Jonathan Roales
Josh Britton
NRCS
Beth Kruprzak
Clint Finney
Chris Skatula
A Special Thank You to the Commissioners
The Harrison Soil & Water Conservation District
Board of Supervisors & Staff would like to thank
the Harrison County Commissioners for their fi-
nancial support and dedication to Soil & Water
Conservation. The financial assistance from the
county will be matched by state funds which en-
ables the district to better aid and provide assis-
tance to the landowners and residents of Harri-
son County.
Harrison Soil & Water Conservation District
538 North Main Street
Cadiz, Ohio 43907
Phone: 740-942-8837
Fax: 740-942-4036
Website: www.hswcd.org
NON-PROFIT PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE PD PERMIT #23
CADIZ, OH 43907