An Update on Natural Resource Conservation in Mahoning County

Mahoning Soil & Water Conservation District | Winter 2020
New Website Highlights Services, Education, Resources
We recently launched our new website, which provides education, resources, forms, news and ways to get in touch with us regarding any of your conservation needs. Check it out and let us know how we can help you.
Deadlines to Apply for USDA Conservation Programs
Deadlines are approaching for local farmers, landowners and other agricultural producers to apply for two government conservation programs that provide financial and technical assistance. The Conservation Reserve Program deadline is this Friday, Feb., 28. The Ohio Environmental Quality Incentives Program deadline is Friday, March 20.
Applications Due March 2 for Agricultural Land Tax Breaks
We're glad to serve our county residents by partnering with the Mahoning County auditor's office on its Current Agricultural Usage Valuation Program, which supports farmers and provides tax reductions for agricultural land. Be sure to submit your application before the March 2 deadline. Call our office to learn more or visit the link below for more information.
Local Teacher Wins Statewide 'Teacher of the Year' Award
It's our pleasure to congratulate Boardman High School's Heather Moran on receiving the Ohio Federation of Soil & Water Conservation Districts' statewide "Teacher of the Year" award. We were glad to nominate Ms. Moran, who has served as the advisor for the school's Envirothon team for nearly a decade. The advanced biology teacher helps us further our mission by educating the youth on conservation efforts. Here she is with Rob Hamilton, Ohio Department of Agriculture's Division of Soil and Water Conservation assistant chief of SWCDs, at the federation's annual conference in Columbus.
Sign Up for Timber Education Series Workshop
Logging strategies, harvest standards and invasive species control are among the topics to be addressed during a free three-part forestry workshop series in Canfield this spring. We’re proud to partner with four other organizations to present these workshops in March, April and May. 
Things to Consider Before Harvesting Your Timber
If you are looking for “easy money” by harvesting your timber, there are some items you should know before signing your timber rights to your property away, Blaine Winger, agricultural specialist and district technician, writes in a recent column in Farm & Dairy.
Area 2 Envirothon Set for April 30 at Kent State Salem
We're pleased to partner with the Columbiana Soil & Water Conservation District to host the 2020 Area 2 Envirothon on April 30 at Kent State University’s Salem Campus. Students will be tested on their knowledge of soils and land use, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology and environmental issues. Teams must register by March 30.
Follow us on social media to learn more about the services we offer and how we fulfill our mission to lead the conservation of land and water resources in Mahoning County through education, technical assistance and stewardship.

Staff Spotlight
Meet Sean McGuire, CPMSM, CPESC
As the Land Bank's Environmental Compliance Inspector and District Technician II, Sean provides technical assistance on erosion and sediment control planning and development initiatives.

Some of his duties include assisting landowners in best management practices, conducting site and soil investigations, performing preliminary engineering surveys and soil reconnaissance, as well as reviewing Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWP3) for construction sites.