Annual Plan of Work

An Annual Plan of Work is prepared by the staff and presented to the board for their approval. This plan reflects board priorities as determined by various planning sessions and outlines projects and direction for the year.

Staff members are expected to carry out the necessary steps to conduct these programs and are authorized to process the necessary expenditures. Staff members will keep supervisors informed of the progress and expenses associated with these programs. The Holmes Soil and Water Conservation District board of supervisors annually approves the following programs:

Cover Crop Cost-Share Program

Applicants will complete an application and provide information requested by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. Participation costs will be estimated to the best of the staff’s ability using projected application costs and seed cost estimates available prior to application sign up. This estimate will be presented to the board at the March or April meeting.

Arbor Day

The SWCD may sponsor an Arbor Day ceremony at a different grade school in the county each year. The SWCD makes the arrangements for the location of the ceremony; staff and supervisors are responsible for the program and getting a tree to plant.

 Conservation Farm Award and Friend of Conservation Award

The board of supervisors selects the recipients for these awards during the August or September board meeting. The awardees are presented an award at the annual meeting. The awardee and immediate family are provided comp tickets, and the award expenses paid for by the District.

 Tom Graham 5th Grade Conservation Tour

The fifth grade tour is held annually for all fifth grade classes in the county, plus Training Center students. The SWCD coordinates with the schools, is responsible for locating a farm, establishing tour stops and resource personnel, making arrangements for food/drink, scheduling buses and group leaders, and corresponding with necessary participants. Essays about the tour are written with the top ten percent selected by each teacher and submitted for judging. District personnel and other volunteers are responsible for judging. The top three essay writers are awarded trophies and the top essay winner asked to read his/her essay at the annual banquet. The 5th Grade tour host will receive a cooperator sign at the annual banquet.

 Donations/Affiliate Members Program

There are three levels of affiliate membership: platinum, gold, and silver at contribution levels to be determined by the board. Members will be given certificates designating their donation level. Donations made to the Holmes SWCD by affiliate members will be used to support educational programs. This includes scholarships to attend the OFA Camp Canopy and FFA Camp scholarships; educational materials for our educational lending library; Envirothon expenses; and teacher workshops hosted by Holmes SWCD. 

Camp Scholarships

The Holmes SWCD may provide up to three full or partial scholarships each year for students to attend the Ohio Forestry Association Camp Canopy, and FFA Camp. Recipients must meet the necessary age/grade requirement established by OFA or FFA, and be a Holmes County resident. Scholarship applicants must complete an application and return it to the Holmes SWCD office by the stated deadline. The board will select scholarship recipients.

 Tree Seedling Sale

Tree sale orders are taken February through a designated deadline date. Seedlings are distributed on a set date at a designated location. The retail cost of the seedlings are presented to the SWCD board for approval.

 Fish Sale

Holmes SWCD may conduct a fish sale once or twice a year. The prices are determined by the fish supplier and presented to the board for approval.

Educational Programs and Lending Library

SWCD personnel may provide in-classroom education presentations, camp presentations, water quality awareness field trips, service organization presentations, and participates in field days and other opportunities. The SWCD also provides a lending materials for educators.

 Envirothon

District staff may participate in planning the Area 3 Envirothon as well as assisting that day with activities. The District contributes annually to the Area 3 Envirothon and to the Don Rehl Memorial Fund at the discretion of the Program Administrator.

Field Days and Special Events

District staff, in cooperation with other SWCDs and agencies, plans field days pertaining to conservation issues in our county. Supervisor approval will be sought during the field day planning process. The board annually approves the costs associated with participating in special events including the Northeast Ohio Grazing Conference, Family Farm Field Day, and the Holmes County Fair.

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting is held primarily to elect supervisors. A nominating committee as appointed by the board chairman solicits candidates. Supervisors will receive one free ticket to the banquet. Employees each receive one free ticket to the banquet. The district board sets the prices of tickets each year based on the meal costs. The board my elect to subsidize the tickets to make the cost more affordable for attendees.

 4-H Natural Resources Awards

The District sponsors natural resources project awards annually.

 Soil Testing Program

Holmes SWCD can provide soil sample instruction sheet, soil sample information form, and soil sample bags for crop field, gardens, lawns and wildlife food plot testing. This includes instructions for the landowner to send samples to a lab and receive results. The charge per sample is set as needed to cover the lab costs as well as shipping.

Alpine Nutrient Trading Program participants

The District can provide soil sample instructions, aerial maps, a soil probe, and soil bags. The landowner will sample the fields. Holmes SWCD can send the soil samples to Spectrum Analytic Lab. A farm visit may be scheduled to review the results and recommendations. Alpine Nutrient Trading program will pay for the samples at no cost to the landowner.

Manure Testing

Holmes SWCD will pay for one manure test each year as part of a manure management plan. The cost for additional samples will be at the SWCD current rate. We can provide sample containers and deliver the samples to Holmes Lab from our office. Based on these results Holmes SWCD will complete a Manure Application Planning Worksheet and review the results with the landowner.

Subdivision Permit Forms and Fees

Anyone applying for subdivision permits must fill out a Holmes SWCD sediment and erosion control permit form. Fees are charged based on the construction plans of the application.