Hardin SWCD 2025 Contributions to Conservation

2025 was packed with many conservation efforts in supporting landowners, producers, community members and taking steps towards supporting the education of young minds. The Hardin Soil and Water Conservation District prioritize relationships with producers/landowners and providing aid to meet their conservation needs. This was an impressive year for technical projects! There was a total of 39 engineering projects that were completed in 2025. The District has an outstanding partnership with NRCS as well as the Upper Scioto Drainage and Conservancy District. The extraordinary collaboration has proved to be impactful. Projects with the Conservancy District such as the removal of dead-leaning trees and log jams, are crucial for maintaining proper flow and drainage of the 36-mile Scioto River.

Remarkable progress has been made through the Pilot Project in Hardin County as well. The Pilot Project is a research venture that is led by The Ohio State University with local leadership by Hardin SWCD. In 2025, due to farmer participation in conservation practices, there was a 38% reduction in phosphorus in the project area. A ten-acre wetland was installed that will allow for water quality research as well as the monitorization of agricultural runoff of phosphorus and sequestration within the wetland. The Pilot Project was also showcased in the Ohio Water Partnership Tour for legislators and other major partners to see the project activities and accomplishments. The Project provides significant data that will give insight into the algal blooms of Lake Erie while valuing the collaborative efforts of researchers and farmers.

Hardin SWCD has also put extensive efforts in the H2Ohio program which is an initiative made by Governor Mike DeWine to address issues that impact water quality. Each producer participating in the program receives a plan to manage phosphorus placement, cover crops, manure placement, and utilization of variable rate technology. Thanks to the large participation of Hardin County producers in the program, Hardin SWCD has been able to aid farmers with over 3.2 million H2Ohio dollars in 2025 to support their costs of implementing those practices on their operations.

The District also provides opportunities and support for people to plant trees and manage their ponds by holding both a tree and fish sale annually. In 2025, Hardin SWCD sold over 2,500 trees, donating another 210 trees to Kenton Schools, and sold over 11,400 fish!

Aside from conservation projects and programming, the District has hosted several tours and educational events such as the Conservation Tillage Club sessions and Forestry Field Day. Farmers can come to listen to various agricultural topics during the Tillage Club Series while enjoying interacting with other farmers. Forestry Field Day is for anyone who has a woodland or would like to connect with a forester and learn about management practices in a fun family environment. Hardin SWCD was active at the Hardin County Fair by having a booth for people to learn more about the District. In efforts to provide future scholarships to students, the District raised money through basket bidding at the fair booth and by selling Conservation Calendars. Hardin SWCD partnered with OSU Extension Agency to host the Conservation Contest at the Hardin County Fair where kids in different age groups can present their conservation topics. Staff members were also active in volunteering to help with the Envirothon competition and sponsoring Hardin County High-School teams.

The Hardin Soil and Water Conservation District plans to continue their diligent dedication to their landowners, producers and community members by striving to provide quality conservation services and increasing educational involvement.