Ohio Ag Connection - Ohio's 74th Annual Conservation Meeting Next Week

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Ohio's 74th Annual Conservation Meeting Next Week
Ohio Ag Connection - 02/23/2017

The Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts' (OFSWCD) 74th annual conservation partnership conference, "All-In For Conservation" will take place on Feb. 27-28 at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Columbus.

This year's event was developed by the OFSWCD with partners: Ohio Association of Soil and Water Conservation District Employees (OASWCDE), Ohio Department of Agriculture's Division of Soil and Water Conservation, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). The event will draw 500+ leaders, experts, educators, local constituents and others engaged in conservation stewardship, agriculture and environmental activities including the delivery of programs and practices impacting our land and water resources.

Highlighting this year's event is "The Coaching Moment" featuring guest speaker, Randy Frazier, president of Leadership Takes Courage/Frazier Communications. Randy is a repeat guest and a professional member of the National Speaker's Association. A featured speaker in over 40 states, his clients include Entergy, the Kellogg Foundation, Alltel, Keep America Beautiful, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Farm Bureau and numerous Leadership development programs. He also works with a wide variety of professional Associations and governmental Agencies. In 2010 Randy Frazier was awarded the Iron Eyes Cody Award for outstanding Leadership by Keep America Beautiful, Inc. He's passion is to get individuals engaged and equipped for success. "The Coaching Moment" is being sponsored by Land Stewards, LLC. Land Stewards is a local, multidisciplinary consulting group that specializes in caring for the land in a manner that ensures its long-term sustainability and harmony with the environment. Its team includes soil scientists, conservation planners, agronomists, engineers, GIS analysts and local drainage contractors.

This year, the meeting is also featuring Jim Richardson, a world renowned photographer of global issues and landscapes for National Geographic Magazine and a documentarian recognized for his explorations of life in remote places. His first story for National Geographic was published in 1985; every year since Richardson has been shooting for the magazine. He has 30 stories to his credit, including two cover stories in 2014. His next works are slated to appear in National Geographic in May 2017. Jim will provide a presentation during lunch sharing pictures and fantastic experiences with the crowd.

In addition, the event will include a diverse array of workshops ranging from cover crops, water quality and soil health efforts in the Western Lake Erie Basin as well as storm water and urban conservation efforts, GIS, Pollinator Habitat, issues involving Wildlife and Invasive Species, and much more!

Director David Daniels of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, USDA Natural Resources State Regional Conservationist Gayle Berry, and many more special guests will speak during the two-day event. On Tuesday, the All-Star Awards luncheon will recognize SWCD Staff and Supervisors, Agency Programs, Educators of the Year, Hall of Fame Recipients, and Ohio's Cooperator of the Year.

The OFSWCD announced Farm Credit Mid-America as this year's event sponsor. Over the last 9 years, Farm Credit has been a key supporter of Ohio's 88 county SWCDs efforts, including the sponsorship of the county "Cooperator of the Year" program, sponsoring county water quality signs, and honoring the "State Cooperator of the Year", who will be announced at this year's awards luncheon on Tuesday.

The Silver Sponsors of this year's event are Conservation Services, Inc., and Walnut Creek Seeds. Conservation Services, Inc. is a hardwood tree planting contractor from Waynesboro, Va., who will also be a participant in the meeting's trade show. Walnut Creek Seeds is a company that promotes soil health and improved land management practices through the use of cover crops, and will also be a participant in the meeting's trade show.

The Bronze sponsors for this year's event include the Ohio Farm Bureau and Nancy's Blankets. The Ohio Farm Bureau's mission is to forge a partnership between farmers and consumers that meets consumer needs, addresses public expectations and ensures agricultural prosperity in a global marketplace. Nancy's Blankets a local supplier of eco-friendly erosion control blankets, and who will also be a participant in the meeting's trade show.

In addition, the trade show will include 25+ vendors showcasing a variety of products and services. To learn more about this year's Annual Conservation Partnership meeting, our various sponsors and/or the many specialty trade show vendors, visit www.ofswcd.org or contact the OFSWCD at 614-784-1900.

Vendors include: American Farmland Trust/Delta Institute; Aqua DOC Lake & Pond; Baughman Tile; Buckeye Soil Solutions; Conservation Services, Inc.; Farm Credit Mid-America; Land Stewards; IMAGINiT Technologies; McDonald & Woodward Publishing; Nancy's Blankets; NRCS Client Gateway; OASWCDE; Ohio Clean Marinas; ODNR Division of Forestry; ODNR Division of Wildlife; Ohio Farm Bureau; Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association; OFSWCD Auxiliary; OOGEEP (Ohio Oil & Gas Env. Education Program); OSU EPN (Env. Prof. Network); Ohio Storm Water Association; Ruff Farms; Salford Group Inc.; TNC; and, Walnut Creek Seeds LLC.

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