August 2025 | Volume 30 | Issue 4

You are invited to the 78th Annual Meeting and Supervisor Election on Thursday, September 11th at Procter Center Camp and Conference Center, 11235 OH-38, London, Ohio.  Voting is from 5:30 p.m.—6:30 p.m., with dinner starting at 6:00 p.m.  One board member will be elected to a three-year term of office. 

This year’s banquet is catered by Procter Center.  The menu includes BBQ pork and chicken along with baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, buns and dessert.

Two conservation awards will be presented after dinner.  The first is the Top-ranked County Envirothon Team, which recognizes the highest ranked team from Madison County at the Southwest Ohio Envirothon Competition.  This year’s team members, representing Madison Plains High School, were Abby Damron, Ashley Bailey, Paisley Rice, Andrew Wood, Gavin Cloutier and advisor, Serenity Kirts Pickell.  The second award is the Outstanding Cooperator of the Year.  The Cooperator of the Year are individuals or families who have gone above and beyond to conserve their soil or water, often by installing best management practices or implementing new techniques in farming based on a conservation plan.  This year’s award will go to Mike Young of Young Farms.

Following the awards, Dr. Donald P. Althoff, a Certified Wildlife Biologist and Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Conservation at the University of Rio Grande, will give a talk about southern flying squirrels.  Although usually abundant in hardwood forests when present, southern flying squirrels are seldom seen by humans because of their adherence to a nocturnal activity pattern. The focus of this presentation will be on their natural history along with the opportunities provided to volunteers for up close observation of flying squirrels—from handling to witnessing their amazing ability to glide--during winter box checks in southeast Ohio.

Tickets to the dinner are $20 ($10 for children up to 10) and may be purchased from any board supervisor, at the district office located at 831 U.S. Highway 42 NE, London, or online at madisonsoilandwater.com.  Reservations are requested by Wednesday, September 3rd.  No tickets will be available at the door.    

One board supervisor will be elected at the Madison Soil and Water Conservation District 78th annual meeting and supervisor election on September 11th at Procter Center Camp and Conference Center, 11235 OH-38, London, Ohio.  The Board of Supervisors consists of community leaders elected by county residents to give direction on soil and water conservation programs to address local natural resources concerns.  They volunteer their time for a three-year term. 

To cast a vote, you may call or visit the Madison SWCD office at 831 U.S. Highway 42 NE, London (740-852-4003) to request an absentee ballot; vote at the Madison SWCD office during regular business hours from August 13th through September 11th; or cast a ballot at the annual meeting from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 11th, at Procter Center, with dinner to start at 6:00 p.m.  You do not need to attend the annual meeting to vote.

Nancy Denes-Sparks, 7550 Scenic Dr., West Jefferson, is a current SWCD Board Member.  She is the Attendance Officer at Dublin Coffman High School and has been with the Dublin City schools for the past 24 years.  She lives and grew up in Jefferson Township on her family tree farm, Denes Tree Farm.  She served on the Village Council in West Jefferson from 1994-1998, until she moved out of the Village.  She has a long volunteer history with St. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, the West Jefferson Ox Roast and various organizations in the community.  She is a third generation 4-H family in Madison County.

Madison County has always been a strong agricultural county, and with current growth, there is a great need to make sure our natural resources are protected.  There are many areas of the country that struggle to maintain and collect quality water, so we need to be good stewards of our water and land for future generations. 

She has learned a lot serving as Supervisor the last three years.  She will continue to welcome the challenges of working for Madison County as we go through the changes and growth our county is experiencing.

Following the awards, Dr. Donald P. Althoff, a Certified Wildlife Biologist and Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Conservation at the University of Rio Grande, will give a talk about southern flying squirrels.  Although usually abundant in hardwood forests when present, southern flying squirrels are seldom seen by humans because of their adherence to a nocturnal activity pattern. The focus of this presentation will be on their natural history along with the opportunities provided to volunteers for up close observation of flying squirrels—from handling to witnessing their amazing ability to glide--during winter box checks in southeast Ohio.

Join Broc Sehen, Wildlife Specialist, on a tour of a restored prairie at the Little Darby Scenic Preserve at 5995 Lafayette Plain City Rd., London, on Saturday, August 23rd at 10 a.m.  Approximately 20 acres were planted with a mix of native grass and forbs.  Summer is the best time to see prairie flowers in bloom!

For more information, or to rsvp, please contact Broc at broc.sehen@oh.nacdnet.net or call (740) 852-4003. 

In recent years, Ohio farmers are turning their attention to native warm‑season grasses such as big and little bluestem, Indiangrass, and switchgrass as a smart, multipurpose investment. These deep-rooted perennials, which thrive in summer heat, bring a trifecta of benefits to soil health, wildlife, and cattle a win‑win scenario for landowners, supported by NRCS programs.

Soil Health & Water Quality

Warm‑season native grasses build exceptionally deep root systems often over 6 feet that anchor soil, reduce erosion, and enhance infiltration. Their extensive roots also channel organic matter deep into the soil, increasing soil carbon and fertility while improving aggregate structure and water retention especially valuable on sloping or erodible fields. Furthermore, when planted as filter strips or contour buffers along waterways, these grasses help trap sediment and nutrients, reducing runoff and safeguarding water quality.

Wildlife Habitat & Biodiversity

Native grasses are a boon for Ohio’s wildlife. Their towering structure and native forage produce ideal nesting and brood-rearing habitats for quail, pheasants, and grassland songbirds. The National NRCS “Working Lands for Wildlife” initiative specifically the Northern Bobwhite in Grasslands program promotes integrating native grass plantings into working pastures. Managed grazing within these systems provides both livestock forage and essential wildlife cover.

Forage & Beef Production

Warm‑season grasses offer drought‑tolerant summer forage during the traditional “summer slump” of cool-season pastures. USDA and University of Tennessee research showed steers grazing switchgrass and bluestem gained 66–70% more weight per day than those on cool-season grasses like tall fescue. Weight gains ranged from 1.9 to 2.4 lbs./day, compared to just 1.6 lbs./day on fescue systems. Plus, by letting fescue rest during summer, these systems help mitigate fescue toxicosis and reduce fertilizer and feed costs.

NRCS Programs to Help You Plant

Through the Farm Bill’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), NRCS provides cost‑share funding and technical support for establishing native warm‑season grasses and implementing prescribed grazing. Ohio’s NRCS has launched targeted initiatives like the Northern Bobwhite in Grasslands program which promotes warm‑season forage plantings across 30 southern counties, offering EQIP assistance to interested producers.

With NRCS programs like EQIP, CSP, and WLFW offering financial and technical support, now is the time to explore native grass integration on your farm. Reach out to your local NRCS or Soil & Water office today and reap the long‑term rewards for your land and livelihood.

The mission of the Madison Soil and Water Conservation District is to enhance and sustain the soil, water and related natural resources of Madison County through partnerships with landowners and others to provide research-based educational programs, technical assistance, and funding to promote a clean local environment. More information about our services, conserving natural resources, and events is available at www.madisonsoilandwater.com, or call our office at 740-852-4003 and ask for Broc Sehen, Wildlife Specialist.

The Community Mural Park is located on the Ohio to Erie Trail in London near 204 Maple Street. This amazing park has over 2,400 native plants.  To help the park look beautiful, the Master Gardener Volunteers have organized cleanup/weeding sessions for the Community Mural Park. They would truly appreciate your assistance!

They are asking for volunteers to help pull or dig weeds, rake leaves, pick up sticks - and bring their own tool if they have them.  The Master Gardeners will provide training, I.D. support, tools and gloves if necessary, water and snacks.

To sign up as a volunteer, go to https://madison.osu.edu/node/2598.  The more hands involved, the merrier!   

The Master Gardener Volunteer program works with the Madison County Extension office to provide educational opportunities to county residents. 

The Plain City Farms Market is every Thursday, from July 10th - Oct 2nd, 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at 101 S. Chillicothe Street, Plain City.  

Madison SWCD recently took part in the Plain City Farmers Market.  The Plain City Farmers Market offers a selection of fresh produce, baked goods, food trucks, and craft items from local businesses.  Emma Ryan, Urban Conservationist; Gail Wilson, Operations Coordinator; and Luna Walker, District Intern, gave out coloring pages for children and met with families to promote conservation.  Visit our table next time on September 25th to pick up conservation resources and get creative.

While Madison SWCD does not endorse any contactors or service providers, our office curates a list of area contractors that may be able to provide assistance with land management projects. If you would like to be added to this list, please contact our office at (740) 852-4003 or gail.wilson@oh.nacdnet.net.

SWCD Staff

Julia Cumming, Program Administrator

Emma Ryan, Urban Conservationist

Broc Sehen, Wildlife Specialist 

Gail Wilson, Operations Coordinator

Luna Walker, District Intern

NRCS Staff

James Tillman, District Conservationist

Preston Leonard, Soil Conservationist

Board of Supervisors

Steve Davis, Chairman

Jonathan Francis, Vice Chairman

Bob Hunter, Treasurer

JD Bethel

Nancy Denes-Sparks

8/23 - Wildflower Hike

9/01 - Labor Day (Office Closed)

9/10 - SWCD Board Meeting

9/11 - Conservation Banquet & Supervisor Election

9/16 - 9/18 - Farm Science Review

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

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.