Mahoning SWCD

CANFIELD, Ohio – Dave and Kathy Moff were lauded as the Mahoning County Soil and Water Conservation District’s 2006 Cooperator of the Year when the group met Oct. 30.
The award is given annually to a landowner who has implemented conservation practices on his property to protect soil and water quality.
The Moffs, who milk 63 head of Holsteins on their Canfield-area farm, worked with the district last year to develop and implement a comprehensive nutrient management plan.
Part of that plan was the construction of a filter strip to clean milkhouse waste water before it’s discharged into a nearby creek.
“The Moffs have a nice piece of property in a developing township,” said district technician Vince Trinckes.
“They’re still dairying and enjoying it, and taking time to address the conservation concerns of the property.”
Elections. Nearly 30 people attended the banquet Oct. 30 at A La Cart Catering in Canfield.
Gary Ruggles Jr. of North Jackson, who serves as board chairman, was re-elected for an additional three-year term on the SWCD board of supervisors. Also newly elected to the board is Jeff Wisler of Salem. Those terms begin Jan. 1, 2008.
Other members of the board are Joe Toporcer Sr. of Ellsworth; Harold Campbell of Diamond; and Donald Cutrer of Canfield.
Business. Attendees reviewed the district’s accomplishments over the past year, which include 18 new farm conservation plans on 941 acres, and conservation plans applied on a total 1,811 rural acres.
The district also built almost 10,000 feet of waterways, worked on timber stand improvement and timber harvest plans, and one Ohio Department of Agriculture easement pending.
On the urban side of things, the SWCD worked to reduce erosion on urban land, reviewed 23 storm water pollution prevention plans, and performed 130 construction site erosion and sediment control evaluations.
The district also continued its outreach through seminars on farmland preservation, urban erosion and sediment control and livestock mortality composting, plus school and community programs.
(Reporter Andrea Zippay welcomes feedback by phone at 800-837-3419 or by e-mail at azippay@farmanddairy.com.)