College Scholarship Available

  One $500 college scholarship is being offered by the SWCD.  Preference will be given to applicants studying agriculture, natural resources or closely related fields at any Ohio college or university during the 2008/09 academic year.  Recipient of the scholarship needs to have completed the freshman year in college, and must be a Van Wert County resident.

  Scholarship applications must be received at the SWCD by May 16, 2008.  The applications will be reviewed and the recipient will be announced in July.  Scholarship money will be sent directly to the college or university at the beginning of the academic year.

Scholarship Letter         Scholarship Application

 

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) 

  Area farmers and landowners are encouraged to take a new look at the Lake Erie Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.  CREP provides assistance and payments to farmers who protect their land by establishing grass buffer strips, planting trees, and creating wetlands along the lake's tributary streams.    

  The upgraded CREP project adds several new conservation practice options, such as:

	introduced and native grasses/legumes in filter, recharge and other areas
	restoring wetlands in non-floodplain areas
	planting rare and declining habitat covers
	establishing conservation buffers on marginal pastureland.

The program will run on a continuous basis, meaning eligible land must be enrolled at any time until 67,000 acres have been enrolled, or December 31, 2007, whichever comes first.  Enrolled land remains under a CREP contract for 14 to 15 years.

Long Term Water Quality Study         

Since 1989 water samples have been collected from Town Creek, area municipalities, and rural wells on a regular basis.  They are tested for nitrates, phosphates, and pesticides.  The results show that Van Wert County is fortunate to have quality water available.  Part of the funding for this project is from the Van Wert County Foundation and will ensure continued monitoring and protection of our water in the future.       

   2003 Water Quality Study    

  2004 Results    2004 Rainfall & E Coli  

 2005 Results and 2005 Rainfall & E Coli

  2006 Results, Rainfall and E Coli

Link Deposit Program

  The District has entered into an agreement with the Ohio EPA concerning the implementation of a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund - Linked Deposit Program.  In Van Wert County, this involves the Jennings Creek watershed area, the Flat Rock Creek watershed, Twenty-seven Mile Creek watershed and St. Mary's watershed.

  Farmers planning to install conservation practices or purchase conservation equipment within these watershed areas can apply for loans through this program.  The program is designed to provide up to a five percent savings on interest rates with local lenders.

	The application is initiated by the farmer expressing an interest at      the SWCD to participate in the program.
	A conservation plan is developed with the farmer which is approved      by the SWCD Board of Supervisors.
	A Certificate of Qualification is prepared for the farmer which outlines     items eligible for the low interest loan program.
	The farmer takes this certification to a participating local area bank     to begin the loan process.  Loans can be up to a 20-year term.  The      lender and Ohio EPA determine the interest rate.