My Final Newsletter Article. By: Richard E. Sorg, District Program Administrator

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1 MUSKINGUM SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT 225 UNDERWOOD STREET, SUITE 100, ZANESVILLE, OH PHONE (740) FAX (740) PUBLISHED QUARTERLY My Final Newsletter Article By: Richard E. Sorg, District Program Administrator NEWSLETTER I SSUE 2 S UMMER 2011 It s hard to believe how fast time passes, especially the older you get. I can recall my parents mentioning more than once the older you get, the faster time passes. They must have known from experience as most of us over fifty realize today. July 29, 2011 will be my last day as an employee of our local SWCD, completing forty years of public service. With the exception of three months working as a supervisor for the City of Zanesville s Neighborhood Youth Corp, all of this service time has been devoted to the Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). During the summer of 1969, before I headed off to get my college education at Muskingum Area Technical Institute (previously Muskingum Area Technical College, and now Zane State College), I had the opportunity to work for the SWCD as a Summer Seasonal Employee. Little did I know then where my degree in Natural Resources Conservation and desire to work in this field would lead. On November 2, 1971, I began my career as a District Aide working for the SWCD. I followed the SCS technician (now NRCS) to the field to begin my learning experience and career in soil and water conservation. The technician was Richard Dick Riemenschneider (the first thing I had to learn was spelling his last name, yes fifteen letters, to put on engineering plans). Though I only had the pleasure of working with Dick for about 3 ½ years before he retired, I learned a lot from him. It was not just instruction on the use of various engineering manuals used in designing various conservation practices, but the hands-on, in the field training that cannot be found in any text book. He passed away a few years ago in his mid-ninety s, but some of that knowledge is still with me, especially the knowledge for laying out contour strips and building diversions with a tractor and plow. I had the pleasure to work with numerous people during these years, both in the field and in the class room, within various capacities of the SWCD (District Aide, District Technician, District Program Coordinator, Agricultural Resource Specialist, and currently as District Program Administrator). To borrow a quote I once noticed above a farm house entrance (and has stuck with me since) on a small brass plaque Everyone that passes through this doorway makes us happy, some by coming and some by leaving. I can honestly say that most that entered my office door were a pleasure to work with and I thank them for that opportunity. When you spend forty years with one employer and in one location (Zanesville), you get to meet a lot of board members and co-workers. Here is what I can account for: Forty-three SWCD supervisors, twenty-one SWCD employees, five ODNR Program Specialists, five District Conservationists, and numerous soil conservationists, technicians, and soil scientists, not to mention the many summer interns that I have had the opportunity to work with over the years. With today s price of gasoline, I wondered how miles I traveled to and from work. My best calculation is 267,212 miles on one car and four pickup trucks. I was asked what are some of your more memorable accomplishments while working for the SWCD? That s a tough question. Many times, every day seemed like an accomplishment of one fashion or another. I would not say any one program or project was more important than any of the others. A few of the major accomplishments that I have had the pleasure of being a part of included bringing the Envirothon to Ohio with Roseville Middle School teacher Tim Taylor, and working with the Board in establishing and staffing the SWCD s current youth education program, CAUV forestry program, and wildlife specialist position and program. I would like to say Thank You to the current and past SWCD Board members for giving me the opportunity to work and believing in me for the past forty years. It s been a pleasure, and as a Muskingum County landowner, I look forward to continuing to Years! work with the office staff in years to come.

2 Supervisor Election 2011 A Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor represents county residents in soil and water conservation and natural resources management. Supervisors set the District s policy, provide guidance to staff, and assist on projects. The Board consists of five supervisors who serve for three-year terms on a voluntary basis. Supervisors participate in monthly and special board meetings, and attend area and state meetings. This year, candidates will be nominated to fill two open positions. Potential candidates are expected to have experience relevant to the District s goals. The qualities of a potential supervisor include: Widespread knowledge of natural resources in the county Complement the existing make-up of the district board so that all geographic, educational, and land-use interests within the district are represented Leadership ability and willingness to share time and talent The Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates. Qualified residents, 18 years of age or older, may also petition to be on the ballot. For more information, please call our office at (740) Hannah Jenkins wins Muskingum SWCD Poster Contest The annual National Conservation Poster Contest provides kindergarten through twelfth grade students an opportunity to convey their thoughts about soil, water and related natural resource issues through art. It also highlights the educational outreach efforts of conservation districts and their state associations, auxiliaries and agencies. The contest follows the annual Stewardship theme which was Forests for People: More Than You Can Imagine! Congratulations to Ms. Hannah Jenkins! Hanna is a student at Nashport Elementary School and her teacher is Mrs. Marcella Gibbon. Hannah s artwork was selected as Muskingum SWCD s 2011 Poster Contest Winner. Hannah s poster will advance to the state level. State winners advance to the National Contest. Good Luck Hannah! Hannah Jenkins

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4 LOCAL STUDENTS PLACE IN AREA ENVIRONMENTAL COMPETITION The Area 3 Envirothon is a sixteen-county competition which was held April 27th at Holmes County Training Center in Holmes County. This year s theme was Estuaries. The Philo High School Gold team took second place, out of fifty teams, with a total of 93 points. Philo High School Gold team members included: James (JB) Boston, Kyle Boston, Lance Guthrie, Abby Lutz and Katie Moore. The team was awarded with a plaque and each team member received a backpack. The Philo High School Gold team is coached by their Science teacher, Mr. William Boston. In June, the Philo High School Gold team will represent Area 3 at the State level at Bowling Green Sate University. The Envirothon is a competitive event for high school students. The program tests students knowledge in five categories: soil, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology, and current environmental issues. It is designed to stimulate and reinforce their interest in the environment and our natural resources. It also encourages cooperative decision making, team building, and problem solving. Teams consist of five members from the same school who have worked together to prepare for the competition. This year, six teams from local high schools represented Muskingum County. Students from Mid-East Career and Technology Center, Philo High School, Tri-Valley High School and West Muskingum participated in the event. Mid-East CTC1 placed 12 th and Philo Blue placed 13 th. Congratulations to all! In Ohio, the Envirothon Competition is sponsored by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (OFSWCD) and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Soil and Water Resources. They are assisted by natural resource and environmental specialists from many agencies, organizations, universities, and businesses to develop the Envirothon questions and staff the testing stations. Philo High School Gold Team Left to Right: James (JB) Boston, Katie Moore, Lance Guthrie, Abby Lutz, and Kyle Boston COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED In an effort to increase knowledge and leadership in the areas of conservation and land use in Muskingum County, the Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) provides local high school students with the opportunity to apply for a college scholarship. The SWCD Board of Supervisors will be offering two (2) $250 scholarships for Muskingum County seniors planning to further their education in the fall of Applicants must be pursuing a two or four year degree from a state accredited college or university, majoring in agriculture, natural sciences, or a closely related field of study. Additionally, the applicant must be a resident of Muskingum County, have a GPA of 2.5 or above (where 4.0 is the highest) and must provide information about their current extracurricular and community service activities. These and other requirements are included with the official application. Scholarship applications and additional requirements can be found on the Education Page of the SWCD website at or by stopping by the office located in Zanesville at 225 Underwood Street, Suite 100. The deadline for submitting scholarship applications is Friday, July 1, 2011, 5:00 p.m. at the SWCD office.

5 Nominate a Deserving Conservation Educator Do you know someone who goes beyond the call of duty to teach conservation education in the classroom? Contact the Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District (MSWCD) to nominate this deserving teacher for the Conservation Educator-of-the-Year. Each year the MSWCD honors an educator for his/her work in conservation education. Currently, the MSWCD is seeking nominations for the 2011 Conservation Educator-of-the-Year Award. The program began in 1984 with the goal to create an awareness and appreciation of the value of conservation education and the advancement of the wise use, protection, and enhancement of the nation s soil, water, and related resources. The winner(s) will receive an award and recognition at the 2011 Annual Celebration of Conservation Banquet and may be featured in our District Newsletter. Nominees must have taught soil and water conservation concepts to students of Muskingum County for a minimum of three years. Educators do not need to specialize only in environmental education. The award is based on the quality and scope of the educator s conservation education program and activities in the last three years. Items that will be considered include: knowledge of conservation concepts, requirements of the job description and how the nominee goes beyond those requirements, creativity and innovative teaching methods, and how the students have applied the knowledge of conservation principals to individual, group, school, and/or community projects. To nominate a deserving educator, a nomination form and written narrative response to the above considerations must be completed. Nomination forms and more information can be picked up at the district office at 225 Underwood Street, Zanesville or on our website at Supporting documentation and/or letters are optional, but appreciated. Nominations are due at the SWCD office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 1, You may only nominate one educator and past award winners are not eligible. For more information contact the Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District at (740) Muskingum Soil & Water Photo Contest First place photos will be chosen by majority of the votes collected at the Muskingum SWCD Annual Celebration of Conservation Banquet to be held on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Friendly Hills Grange Camp, 5880 Friendly Hills Road in Zanesville. All entries will be displayed at the banquet. Complete photo contest rules, entry forms and release forms can be picked up at the District Office located at 225 Underwood St., Rm 100, Zanesville or on our website at Photo Contest Categories: Come On, Take Your Best Shot! Little Future Farmers (Photos of Children on the Farm) It s My Conservation District (Show us what the District means to you) Deadline to Enter: Friday, September 2, 2011 Two Divisions: Youth (up to 17 years) & Adult (18 and over) $25.00 First Place Prizes Awarded in Each Category Per Division! Photo By: Pat Wheeler Photo By: Neil Wilhelm

6 Pasture Walk - Tim Kimpel Farm June 7 Water Feature & Ground Cover Clinic June 10 Live At Noon - Ryan Fink June 14 MSWCD Board Meeting June 14 Camp Adventure June 23 & 24 Live At Noon - Clayton Rico June 28 Deadline College Scholarships July 1 Holiday - Office Closed July 4 Live At Noon - Nicole Hafer July 12 MSWCD Board Meeting July 12 From the Soil to Your Table Clinic July 15 Live At Noon - Richard Sorg July 26 Deadline for Nominate EOY August 1 Live At Noon - Kylene Newman August 9 MSWCD Board Meeting August 9 Booth at Muskingum County Fair August Deadline for Name That Tree Clinic August 19 Live At Noon - Nicole Hafer August 23 Name That Tree Clinic August 26 Mark Your Calendar! Annual Celebration of Conservation Banquet Saturday, October 1, :00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Friendly Hills Grange Camp 5880 Friendly Hills Road Stop by our Booth! 165th Muskingum County Fair August 14-20, 2011 Congratulations Butterfly Bush Winners Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative Annual Meeting Tammy Chaney - Zanesville June Galbreath - Cambridge Wanda Schneider - Dresden Gloria Siegfreid - Cambridge J. Wisenbarger - Cambridge Live At Noon - Patty Dyer August 29 Deadline for Photo Contest September 2 Holiday - Office Closed September 5 Farm-City Day - Poultry September 17 MSWCD Board Meeting September 14 Paul Bunyan Show October 7, 8, & 9, 2011 Guernsey County Fairgrounds Ohio Forestry Association, Inc. Ohio Woodlands Stewards Programs A Special Thank You to: June 24 July 22 August 15 August 19 The Woods in Your Backyard, The Holden Arboretum, Kirtland, OH The Woods in Your Backyard, Lucas County Mind Boggling Bats, Toledo Botanical Gardens, Toledo, OH Grassland Management for Wildlife, Gwynne Conservation Area, London, OH RONALD W. DOWNING, O.D. ZANESVILLE TIMES RECORDER Thank you for your help with our tree seeding & butterfly plant sale.

7 Recent Events a Big Hit We would like to thank the speakers from our first three clinics of the year the Pollinator Clinic, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose It and Build your own Compost Bin. Those speakers were Shana Byrd, the Wilds; David Schott, Monroe SWCD; Brenda South, Log Cabin Rugs; Denise Natoli-Brooks, the Wilds; and Becky McCurdy, Home Depot. We would also like to thank the Sands family for the successful Pasture Walk held on their farm on April 27th. If you haven t been to one of our backyard clinics this year, make sure you check out the upcoming events. The next clinic is Incorporating a Water Feature in Your Backyard and will be held at Lones Stone and Landscape Supply, 6095 Newark Road, Nashport, on June 10, 2011 from 6:00 8:00 p.m. Groundcovers will also be covered at this clinic. From the Soil to Your Table will be held July 15, 2011 at The Muskingum County Park District s new facility, 496 Pitman Street, Zanesville. Topics include soil heath and making something (a beautiful garden) from nothing (the overgrown land that is now Mission Oaks Park). This event will also be from 6:00 8:00 p.m. Join the MSWCD staff and special speakers for a few hours of conservation education and fun this summer. The events are free! Registrations are requested and can be called in to Repurpose, Reuse, Recycle IT! Build your own Compost Bin Sands Farm Pasture Walk! Incorporating a Water Feature in Your Backyard Friday, June 10, :00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Lones Stone & Landscape Supply 6095 Newark Road Registration Requested Call Pasture Walk with Optional Tour of Organic Production Tuesday, June 7, :30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Tim Kimpel Farm 6205 Rose Hill Rd Roseville, OH No Registration Needed

8 2011 Muskingum SWCD Big Tree Contest This was a record year for the number of trees submitted to the 2011 Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Big Tree Contest. In total, there were 24 trees nominated and measured for the contest. In a stroke of bad luck for one landowner, their big tree that was alive for years, unfortunately, blew down three days before it was to be measured! A Silver Maple takes this year s prize for the biggest tree in Muskingum County. The tree was measured by Muskingum SWCD staff on April 6 th The tree, owned by Sandy Peterson, scored an amazing points. This point total was calculated by adding the diameter in inches (322.8), the height (66 feet) and the crown spread average times.25 (68.5 x.25). Congratulations Sandy Peterson! Ohio keeps a statewide database of big trees by species. The current records indicate that the largest silver maple in the state of Ohio scores 399 points. Therefore, if approved by a state service forester, Sandy Peterson s silver maple may officially become the largest in the state. There are many other close calls this year for trees becoming the largest in the state. For example, Keith Dilley entered a black cherry tree this year which scored points, which is only 9 points off the state s largest cherry, which is in Scioto County and scores 316 points. Also, a honey locust that can be found at Maysville Elementary scored points. There currently is no record for an Ohio honey locust big tree. Different tree species may not seem large when measured against others. For example, the nation s largest dogwood tree only scores 153 points (102 circumference, 35 tall and 42 crown spread) while the nation s largest tree is a Giant Redwood, which scores 1290 points (950 circumference, 321 tall and 75 crown spread). If you are interested in submitting a tree for next year s contest you may want to log on to the state s website to see how your tree might measure up. This site can be found at: bigtrees/nativechamps/tabid/4810/default.aspx You may be surprised to find that you have the next Ohio big tree sitting right in your back yard! MUSKINGUM SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT 225 UNDERWOOD STREET, SUITE 100 ZANESVILLE, OH NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ZANESVILLE, OHIO PERMIT NO. 262 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: CATHIE KREAGER, CHAIRPERSON LARRY BALL, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SHANE MENDER, SECRETARY BILL BALDERSON, TREASURER/FISCAL AGENT LANCE DEAL, MEMBER DISTRICT PERSONNEL: RICHARD SORG LISA CROCK RYAN FINK NICOLE HAFER KYLENE NEWMAN CLAYTON RICO JEANETTE WEINBERG NRCS PERSONNEL: PATTY DYER DEE WISEMAN All SWCD & NRCS programs and services are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or handicap. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER