Join us at the Madison SWCD Annual Meeting
The public is invited to attend Madison Soil and Water Conservation District’s (SWCD) 76th Annual Meeting and Supervisor Election on Thursday, September 14th at Der Dutchman, 445 S. Jefferson Ave., Plain City, Ohio. Voting is from 5:30 p.m.—6:30 p.m., with dinner starting at 6:00 p.m. Two board members will be elected to a three-year term of office. Candidates in this year’s election are JD Bethel, Steve Davis and David Junk.
Agenda
Cast your vote from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Dinner from 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Conservation Awards Banquet begins at 6:30 p.m.
This year’s banquet is catered by Der Dutchman. The menu includes broasted chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, homemade bread and pie.
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. Reservations are required by September 8th. No tickets will be available at the door.
Following dinner will be a special program, “Wetlands: Dark Past, Bright Future.” Guest speaker, Mark Dilley, Wetland Scientist and Senior Ecologist, will discuss historic losses and the big push for wetland restoration in Ohio and globally. He and his wife, Christine, are co-owners of MAD Scientist Associates, a company specializing in ecological and wetland consulting. He will share some examples of projects they have completed.
Dilley earned a B.S. in Natural Resources in 1991 and a M.S. in Environmental Science in 2003, both from The Ohio State University School of Environment and Natural Resources. His company strives to Make A Difference – through Science, Service and Education. Dilley is also a lecturer at The Ohio State University, where he teaches Wetland Ecology & Restoration, and he currently serves as the President of the Ohio Wetlands Association.
The other highlight of the meeting is the conservation awards. Michael Hann will be awarded as Madison SWCD Cooperator of the Year. Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails will be recognized as a Conservation Partner. West Jefferson High School will be recognized for having the Top-ranked Envirothon Team at the Southwest Ohio Envirothon Competition. Representing West Jefferson were Brent Gardner (Team Captain), Matthew Chmil, Charles Stephens and advisor, Mike Harkleroad.
Meet the Candidates
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JD Bethel
9577 Roberts Rd., West Jefferson, has been an agronomist at Integrated Ag Services for 6 years. Prior to that, he was at The Ohio State University researching soybeans for 4 years. He received his master’s degree in Weed Sciences at Ohio State. He helps his parents farm in Mechanicsburg. He and his wife, Wendy, enjoy bicycling, traveling and gardening.
The most important resource concern Bethel sees on a day-to-day basis working with farmers is soil erosion. He is interested in serving on the board because he supports the work of the Soil and Water Conservation District. He has done a lot of tiling and waterways on his parents’ farm and has seen the value. Anything we can do to promote keeping erosion under control is a good thing.
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Steve Davis1420 Linson Rd., is the current chairman of the SWCD board, which he has served for 3 years. He raises registered Angus cattle and had a purebred hog business for 30 years. He has cut back on his herd but still maintains about 15 cows. He is a member of the board of the Newport United Methodist Church.
Davis considers improving soil health as the biggest natural resource opportunity. He has seen reduced soil tilth from when he was a teenager as a result of conventional farming practices today. No till and cover crops could be a very big factor in saving our soil structure and health.
Davis would like to continue serving on the board to support positive change and contribute his lifelong experiences in farming and raising livestock.
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David Junk6089 Junk Road, Mt. Sterling, is a member of the SWCD board, which he has served 9 years. He is a life-long resident of Madison County and has been farming since he was nine years old. He is a Lieutenant in the Range Township Fire Department. He retired from the State Department of Rehabilitations and Corrections. He has an associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in business from Urbana University.
Junk would like to see farmland preserved and Madison County maintain its productive soils. He has planted trees along his stream and warm season grasses through the Conservation Reserve Program. He encourages interaction between different agencies and organizations when making decisions about our local natural resources.
