November 2026 | Volume 31 | Issue 3

 

Steve Davis and Sam Yoder won the election for supervisor at the Madison Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). Their three-year term will begin on January 1, 2027.  The election period was from August 12 – September 10, 2026, with voting available during the Madison SWCD Customer Appreciation Day on September 10th.

The Madison SWCD Customer Appreciation Day celebrated local land stewardship achievements.  The event took place at the USDA Service Center/Madison County Engineer Building in London, Ohio.  Staff from the Madison County Engineers, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, and Central Township Fire Station, helped with demonstrations.  The rain held off, allowing attendees to enjoy fishing, a dry hydrant demonstration, touch-a-truck activities, food and fellowship. Approximately 80 people attended, and two conservation awards were presented.

The first award recognized the Top Rank Envirothon Team.  The Envirothon is an outdoor, academic competition in Southwest Ohio for high school students that tests their knowledge in five areas: Forestry, Aquatics, Current Environmental Issues, Soils, and Wildlife.  The Soil and Water Conservation honored the Madison-Plains High School Team - Avery Alkire, Kastin Little, Elizabeth Hammond, Brooklyn Brown, and Jaliyah Robinson - for achieving the highest rank among Madison County teams. Their advisor, Serenity Kirts Pickell, accepted the award on their behalf. 

The second award was presented to Ramona Porter and Dale Sheridan for being Outstanding Cooperators of the Year.  Ramona Porter restored a twenty-acre wetland on her farm in 2026, attracting waterfowl and other wildlife.  She collaborated with her tenant farmers to utilize cover crops, has repaired the gullies, planted native grass buffer strips to prevent pesticide drift and capture any sediment from runoff into the creek. 

Dale Sheridan, a corn and soybean farmer, utilized the H2Ohio Program to install practices that reduce soil erosion and improve water quality.  By following a nutrient management plan based on the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations, he prevented excess nutrients from entering into the creeks and groundwater. He also planted cover crops to protect soil during winter, which helps sustain microorganisms and build organic matter. Lastly, he permanently protected one of his farms with an agricultural easement through the Clean Ohio Program.

These outstanding individuals received a sign as a token of the district’s gratitude for their stewardship and commitment to conservation. 

The evening concluded with a free raffle for fishing poles.  For more information about conserving natural resources in Madison County, please contact Madison SWCD at 740-852-4003 or visit madisonsoilandwater.com.

 

Serenity Kirts Pickell, Team Advisor, accepted the Top Ranked Envirothon Team award on behalf of Madison Plains High School for ranking higher than any other team from Madison County at the Southwest Ohio Envirothon Competition. From left to right: Bob Hunter, SWCD Supervisor; Emma Ryan, Urban Conservationist; Serenity Kirts Pickell, Team Advisor; and Broc Sehen, Wildlife Specialist.

Ramona Porter (right) was recognized as Outstanding Cooperator of the Year by Broc Sehen, Wildlife Specialist, for restoring a twenty-acre wetland on her farm through the Conservation Reserve Program.  

LeeAnn and Dale Sheridan (center, right) were recognized as Outstanding Cooperator of the Year by Broc Sehen, Wildlife Specialist; for implementing nutrient management and cover crops in the H2Ohio Program.

Central Township Fire Station demonstrated how dry hydrants serve as a vital source of water for fighting fires.  From left to right (bottom): Firefighters Cox and Daughtery, and Lt. Foster.  On top of truck: Firefighters Fryman and Stocker-Patzer.

Nathan Morrison, Ditch Superintendent, for Madison County Engineer, gave the audience an up-close look at the snow removal and mowing equipment.

River Sehen, next generation conservationist, catches a fish at the Madison SWCD Customer Appreciation Day.

-Michele Bouquet, Madison County Master Gardener

During the morning of Tuesday, August 11, a fast-moving line of thunderstorms swept through Madison County, bringing intense straight-line winds and periods of significant flash flooding. The storm caused widespread damage, including the loss of two beautiful catalpa trees at Community Mural Park.

Madison County Engineers quickly cleared debris from the bike path and removed the fallen trees. The Friends of Madison County Parks & Trails generously provided replacement funds, and the Madison County Master Gardeners—who maintain the park’s native pollinator habitat—selected three native species for their ecological value: one shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), three Allegheny serviceberries (Amelanchier laevis) and three spicebushes (Lindera benzoin).

Benefits Through Every Season

Shagbark hickory is a long-term habitat investment. This sturdy tree can reach 60 to 80 feet and live for generations. As its trunk matures, distinctive plates of shaggy bark create shelter for bats and other small wildlife. Its foliage supports roughly 200 species of moths and butterflies, including regal and luna moths, the hickory hairstreak and walnut sphinx.

The hickory’s inconspicuous flowers appear in spring, while sweet, nutrient-rich nuts ripen in September and October. Nut production generally begins when the tree is 10 to 12 years old. In productive “mast” years, the crop feeds squirrels, chipmunks, mice, foxes, wild turkeys, birds and other mammals.

Allegheny serviceberry offers benefits much sooner. White flowers open in April, supplying nectar and pollen when relatively few plants are blooming. The tree supports more than 117 species of moths and butterflies, including luna moths, small-eyed sphinx moths, striped hairstreaks and eastern tiger swallowtails.

By late spring and early summer, its berries provide food for robins, cedar waxwings, catbirds, and cardinals. Squirrels and chipmunks also take advantage of the crop.

Spicebush fills an essential understory role. Its small, fragrant flowers bloom in March and April, offering an early food source for native bees. Spicebush is also a host plant for spicebush swallowtail caterpillars.

In fall, female spicebushes produce bright red, fat-rich fruits that help fuel migrating birds and resident wildlife preparing for winter. Because spicebush is dioecious—male and female flowers grow on separate plants—a compatible male must be nearby for female shrubs to set fruit.

The additions do more than restore beauty after the storm. They strengthen the park’s ecosystem by supporting pollinators, birds and other wildlife throughout the seasons, demonstrating how thoughtful restoration can turn storm damage into an opportunity for renewal. The project also reflects the value of cooperation among county staff, local volunteers and community supporters. Next time you walk near the Roberts Pass trailhead, stop by Community Mural Park to see the new plants and watch their contributions grow.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced increased financial assistance for the Regenerative Pilot Program from $700 million to $1 billion in fiscal year 2027, providing more producers with the opportunity to adopt conservation systems that improve soil health, water quality, and long-term farm resilience. Producers can now apply for assistance with regenerative practices.

“The American farmers have spoken and we at USDA are responding! Our Regenerative Pilot Program has seen such tremendous enthusiasm that we are now expanding the financial assistance offered to farmers to $1 billion dollars,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, “American farmers are the frontlines of our fight to make America healthy again and we will work with them to achieve this goal.”

Also, for fiscal year 2027, the program maintains whole-farm planning while reducing the barrier to entry by lowering the resource concern threshold from 100% to 75% for the Conservation Stewardship Program. This improves flexibility without sacrificing outcomes. The program preserves the core conservation goals and outcome-based approach of the fiscal 2026 pilot while giving producers and staff greater flexibility in how outcomes are measured and achieved. The program also provides multiple monitoring and evaluation options tailored to cropland, grazing lands, and forestry operations.

About the Regenerative Pilot Program

The Regenerative Pilot Program delivers a streamlined, outcome-based conservation model—empowering producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application. The initiative highlights USDA’s commitment to putting Farmers First and advancing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda by building a healthier, more resilient food system.

In fiscal year 2027, the Regenerative Pilot Program will continue to focus on whole-farm planning that addresses every major resource concern—soil, water, and natural vitality—under a single conservation framework. USDA is dedicating $650 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $350 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to fund this second year of regenerative agriculture projects.

Producers can bundle multiple regenerative practices into one application, streamlining the process and increasing flexibility for operations. The program is designed for both beginning and advanced producers, ensuring availability for all farmers ready to take the next step in regenerative agriculture.

How to Apply

Farmers and ranchers interested in regenerative agriculture are encouraged to apply through their local NRCS Service Center by their state’s ranking dates for fiscal year 2027 funding consideration. Applications for both EQIP and CSP can be submitted under the single regenerative application process.

Ohio State University Extension invites farm families to take an important step toward securing their farm’s future by participating in Planning for the Future of Your Farm, a comprehensive transition-planning workshop offered in December. The program will help families begin crucial conversations about transferring farm ownership, management responsibilities, assets, and decision-making to the next generation.

Farm transition planning is essential to the long-term success and sustainability of an agricultural operation. A thoughtful plan gives family members time to identify shared goals, prepare future operators, address financial and legal concerns, and reduce uncertainty or conflict. Whether a farm will remain in the family, transfer to a new operator, or eventually be sold, planning early can protect its legacy while offering greater financial security and peace of mind.

Amanda Douridas, Madison County OSU Extension Educator, will host the workshop. Instruction will be provided by David Marrison, OSU Extension Farm Management Field Specialist, and Robert Moore, an attorney with the OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program. Together, they will share practical strategies and tools families can use to guide the transition process.

·         Developing estate and succession goals

·         Planning for the transition of control and unexpected events

·         Managing communication and conflict during a farm transfer

·         Using legal tools and strategies effectively

·         Building a trusted advisory team

·         Organizing important affairs and selecting an attorney

Parents, children, and grandchildren are encouraged to attend together. Participating as a family creates space for honest discussion and helps everyone understand the farm’s needs, opportunities, and long-term direction. Each generation can contribute its goals and concerns while learning how to turn those ideas into an actionable transition plan. Do not wait for a crisis or unexpected event to determine the future of your operation. Begin the conversation now, assemble the right team, and develop a plan that reflects your family’s priorities.

Protecting wildlife and improving water quality can start right in your own yard. This fall, consider leaving the leaves where they fall.

Leaf litter acts as a natural protective blanket, helping reduce soil erosion, retain moisture, and suppress weeds throughout the winter. As leaves decompose, they enrich the soil with organic matter, improving its ability to absorb and filter stormwater. When leaves are raked into streets, rain can wash them into storm drains, where excess nutrients can negatively impact local water quality.

Just as importantly, your fallen leaves are someone else's winter home. Butterflies, moths, native bees, and other beneficial insects rely on leaf litter for shelter during the colder months. Frogs, toads, salamanders, and small mammals also depend on these natural spaces for protection from winter weather.

This season, leave the leaves. A simple change in yard care can create healthier soils, cleaner waterways, and vital habitat for wildlife.

SWCD Staff

 

Julia Cumming, Program Administrator

Broc Sehen, District Technician

Gail Wilson, Operations Coordinator

Emma Ryan, Urban Conservationist

 

NRCS Staff

 

James Tillman, District Conservationist

Preston Leonard, Soil Conservationist

Je'lon Thomas, Soil Conservationist

 

 

Board of Supervisors

 

Steve Davis, Chairman

Jonathan Francis, Vice Chairman

Bob Hunter, Treasurer

JD Bethel

Nancy Denes-Sparks

11/3 - Election Day (Open Half Day)

11/11 - Veterans Day (Office Closed)

11/18 - SWCD Board Meeting

11/26 - 11/27 Thanksgiving (Office closed)

12/15 - SWCD Board Meeting

12/24 - 12/25 - Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Office closed)

01/01/2027 - Happy New Year!

 

Madison Soil & Water Conservation District

831 U.S. Highway 42 NE

London, Ohio 43140

Phone: (740) 852-4003 opt. 3

www.madisonsoilandwater.com www.facebook.com/madisonswcdohio Instagram: @madisonsoilandwater

All NRCS/MSWCD programs and services are offered on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, or handicap. Please contact Gail Wilson at gail.wilson@oh.nacdnet.net if you wish to be put on or removed from our email list.