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Carroll Soil and Water Conservation District

613 High Street NW, Suite 2, Carrollton, OH 44615

330-627-9852 ext. 3 www.carrollswcd.org

“Connecting people, agriculture, soil & water since 1944”

April 2017 Edition

April 13th @ Carroll Co. Friendship Center Backyard Food Production Meeting 6:00PM—Backyard conservation topics for this meeting will include Composting 101, Stream Buffers & Backyard Wetlands, Edible Landscaping, and Pruning Trees.

April 27th @ Morrelli Farm Eastern Ohio Grazing Council Pasture Walk 6:00PM—Join us at this Jefferson County beef cattle farm to learn about topics such as Exclusion Fence, Live-stock Water Use, and an “Open Discussion.”

May 11th @ Carroll Co. Fairgrounds Backyard Food Production Meeting

6:00PM—Backyard conservation topics for this meeting will include Let’s Build Compost Bins, Growing Sweet Corn, and Growing for Good Nutri-tion. See page 5 for information about ordering a compost bin. Deadline to order will be May 1st, 2017.

May 25th @ Herbold Farm Eastern Ohio Grazing Council Pasture Walk 6:00PM—Join us at this Harrison County beef cattle farm to learn about topics such as Pressurized Water System, Heavy Use Pad, and Organic Forages.

June 8th @ Carroll Co. Fairgrounds Backyard Food Production Meeting 6:00PM—Backyard conservation topics for this meeting will include Food Safety Basics, Getting Started in Soap Making, Seed Saving, and Natural Weed Control.

June 22nd @ D&L Sheep Farm Eastern Ohio Grazing Council Pasture Walk 6:00PM—Join us at this Columbiana County sheep oper-ation. Topics and speakers to be determined.

July 18th to 23rd @ Carroll Co. Fairgrounds Carroll County Fair Enjoy the community gar-den which will feature raised beds, a pollination garden, a potato mulch bed, a handicap garden, and a gourd hoop display. The inside booth will include the virtual sandbox, guess the farm game, and a water quality display. We hope to see you at the fair!

July 27th @ Snyder Farm Eastern Ohio Grazing Council Pasture Walk 6:00PM—Join us at this Mahoning County beef cattle operation. Topics and speakers to be determined.

The Carroll SWCD Office will be Closed: May 29th, 2017– Memorial Day July 4th, 2017– Independence Day

Carroll SWCD Board Meetings: Meetings begin at 5:00pm at the office

April 25th, 2017 May 23rd, 2017 June 27th, 2017 July 25th, 2017 August 22nd, 2017

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color,

national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director,

Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA

is an equal opportunity provider lender, and employer.

Like us on Facebook for the latest news and info! www.facebook.com/carrollswcd

2017 Upcoming Events

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“Where am I going to feed my cows?” By: Joe Mayle, District Technician

Phone: 330-627-9852 ext. 4093

We could also say where am I going to feed my horses,

goats, sheep or even some of our less traditional livestock

animals? It is a question that we as livestock producers

must ask ourselves every year. With this winter being more

mild and wet, than usual, and spring right around the cor-

ner, it is a question that we must be prepared to answer. My

grandpa used to say high and dry. That may seem elemen-

tary, but keeping livestock near a stream corridor, flood plain, or other bottom ground is never a good idea.

Stressed livestock, water contamination and poor soil health are just a few of the problems that one can

encounter when keeping livestock in areas not conducive to raising livestock.

Livestock health can be greatly impacted by wet conditions. Hoof Rot, Strawberry Warts (although more

common with confined animals) and general stress are all a result of livestock being in a less than ideal

location. Increased stress levels always equate to poor production. Forcing livestock to drink surface wa-

ter from the creek instead of providing a quality water source only serves as a restriction to optimal pro-

duction. Animals with access to clean water will, have increased growth rates and be healthier overall.

Another benefit of keeping your livestock out of the stream corridor, is we eliminate water degradation.

Manure (nutrients + microorganisms) introduced to a water source will promote the growth of water

plants and algae. The plants and algae can be harmful to bodies of water. They can create a lack of dis-

solved oxygen in the water that inhibit fish and macroinvertebrates ability to respire. In more serious in-

stances certain types of algae (blue-green) can release toxins into the water that are harmful to humans

and animals if ingested. Manure in water also promotes bacterial growth in livestock. These bacteria can

cause illnesses such as mastitis, urinary tract infections and diarrhea.

Keeping livestock out of the water course, will also improve soil health. Erosion, compaction, and nutrient

concentration are just a few negative impacts that can be created by a bad choice of livestock placement.

There is no better compaction tool than livestock hooves. Hooves and wet soils don’t mix. Compaction

will eliminate pore spaces that hold air and water in the soil. Compaction will also restrict root growth,

thereby reducing plant yields. Exclusion fencing and heavy use areas are a couple of practices that can

serve to control livestock access to surface waters. These

practices are designed to reduce livestock stress, avoid water

contamination, and improve soil health. So where are you

going to feed your cows (livestock) this year?

Top Photo Source: Beef Magazine

Bottom Photo Source: University of Minnesota Extension

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Spring Pond Clinic

Lake and Land Festival

Join us at Clark Farms for our 2017 Pond Clinic

Meal will be provided!

Pond Site Construction Feasibility

Rick Griffin, USDA-NRCS

Water Quality

Josh Britton, Carroll & Harrison SWCD

Pond Question & Answer Session

John Oliver, Buckeye JVS

www.facebook.com/CarrollSoilandWaterConservationDistrict

When:

May 9, 2017 at 6:00 pm

Where:

Clark Farms

3056 Arrow Rd NW

Carrollton, OH 44615

RSVP by:

April 28, 2017

Carroll SWCD: (330) 627-9852

Thinking of building a pond? Is your pond green or smell funny? Do you need help selecting fish?

Get all of these questions answered and more! We have a great line up of speakers that will be

able to answer your questions and make suggestions to help you create a healthy pond!

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2017 No-Till Drill Rental Program

Cover Crop Cost Share Program The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District will be con-

tinuing their cover crop cost share program for 2017. Fields that

are located within the Muskingum Watershed in Carroll Coun-

ty can receive approximately $12 per acre cost share regardless

of seeding method or termination method.

Participants must attend one of the scheduled sign up days to

fill out applications so that fields may be ranked to determine

funding. Please allow at least two hours to attend an informa-

tional meeting about the program requirements and to complete

applications. Be sure to bring field maps or location information to sign up. The sign up days will be

held at the Carroll SWCD office at 613 North High Street in Carrollton on:

May 26, 2017 at 9:00AM ~ June 2, 2017 at 9:00AM ~ June 9, 2017 at 9:00AM

No RSVP is necessary for above dates. If you are unable to sign up on one of these days, please contact

the Carroll SWCD office at 330-627-9852. All applications must be in by June 16, 2017.

We will be offering two different machines this spring. The equip-

ment is rented on a first come, first serve basis and will have a

minimum rental charge of $50. Rental rates for 2017 are $15 per acre

with discounts available for utilizing various conservation efforts:

Have you Updated Your Conservation Plan Lately?

Fields with a plan written and approved by Carroll SWCD

within the last five years receive a $3 per acre discount.

Have You Measured Your Residue Lately?

Acres with greater than 40% residue are eligible for a $2 per

acre discount.

Have You Tested Your Soil Lately?

If you have current soils test for the field being planted you

can receive a $1 per acre discount.

If you are interested in renting one of the drills this season please

call Joe Mayle at the Carroll SWCD office at 330-627-9852 ext. 4093

10’ John Deere 1590

or

10’ Haybuster 107

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Wildlife Workshop: Growing Big Bucks Thursday June 1st at 6:00PM

LOCATION:

Sunset Meadows Farms

3183 Jasmine Rd. NW

Carrollton, OH 44615

Topics:

Getting Started in Soil Testing

Location of Food Plot & Bedding Area

What to Plant and How to Plant It

Planting Demonstrations Onsite

This free workshop is focused on helping hunters of all kinds

create a habitat that will bring the deer right where you want

them. With planting demonstrations onsite, participants will

have a start to finish training for a more successful hunting

season. Please call to register by May 30 at 330-627-9852.

————————————(Please detach this portion and mail with your payment)—–—————————–

Carroll Soil and Water Conservation District 2017 Compost Bin Kit Order Form

The compost bin kit for home use will include a rotating plastic bin on a stand that is easy for everyone to use. The purchase of a kit comes with the option of an instruction class at our Backyard Food Production

Meeting on May 11 at 6:00pm at the Carroll Co. Fairgrounds. If you plan on attending the demonstration,

please mark “WITH Instruction” below. You will receive your kit at the class. If unable to attend the class, kits may be picked up at the Carroll SWCD office on May 12 from 8:00AM to 4:30PM.

Name: _______________________________ Phone: ___________________ Address: ______________________________ City: _____________________ Zip: _________________ E-mail: ____________________________________

MAKE ORDERS PAYABLE & MAIL TO:

CARROLL SWCD ~ 613 NORTH HIGH STREET ~ CARROLLTON, OH. 44615 ALL SALES ARE FINAL, NO REFUNDS, EXACT CHANGE OR CHECK ONLY

DEADLINE FOR PLACING ORDERS IS MAY 1st, 2017

Item # Of Kits Price Total

1. Compost Bin Kit WITH Instruction Class $45

2. Compost Bin Kit WITHOUT Instruction Class $45

TOTAL:

Compost Bin Kits for Sale

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District Supervisors Doug Eshler, Secretary

Brad Luckey, Fiscal Agent

John McKarns, Vice Chair

Clifford Miller, Chairman

Roger Thomas, Treasurer

District Staff Kimberly Vance, District Administrator (ext. 4090)

Katelyn Valdinger, District Technician (ext. 4092)

Joe Mayle, District Technician (ext. 4093)

Josh Britton, Watershed Specialist (ext. 4094)

NRCS Staff Kevin Swope, Resource Conservationist (ext. 4091)

Carroll SWCD

613 High St. NW, Suite 2

Carrollton, Ohio 44615

IN THIS ISSUE:

Program Schedules 1

Technician Article 2

Lake and Land Festival 3

Pond Clinic 3

No-Till Drill Rental 4

Cover Crop Program 4

Wildlife Workshop 5

Compost Bin Kits 5