Meigs SWCD to observe 79 years

Annual meeting and banquet slated for Oct. 4

MIDDLEPORT, Ohio – The Meigs Soil and Water Conservation District will observe its 79th birthday with its annual meeting and banquet to be held Tuesday, Oct. 4 at the Blakeslee Center in Middleport.

The meal will begin at 7 p.m. with voting for supervisors starting at 6 p.m. Reservations were required by Thursday, Sept. 15 at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets contact the Meigs SWCD, weekdays 8-4:30 p.m. at 740-992-4282.

This year’s banquet will feature representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency, Farm Bureau, USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Agriculture – Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Meigs SWCD and Ohio State University Extension. Each agency will have an informational table set up with someone to talk with about the programs they offer to landowners. Each agency has unique programs to assist landowners with the conservation of our natural resources.

“With so many different agencies and programs, each with their own acronyms, it is easy for landowners and producers to get confused,” said Jenny Ridenour, Meigs SWCD district administrator. “By having all the agencies in the same location, it is a great opportunity for landowners to talk with and learn about what each has to offer.”

In addition, eligible voters attending will choose one of two candidates for the Meigs SWCD Board of Supervisors. One of the two will replace Bill Baer, Racine, who will be leaving the board after 20 years of service to the district. The candidates are as follows:

Olivia B Yost

Olivia is a lifelong Meigs county resident. She is the daughter of Charles and Nita Yost. She grew up and still lives on her family farm located outside of Racine. She is the youngest of four children. She is a former member of the Meigs County Better Livestock 4-H Dairy club, which her nieces and nephew are a part of today. She is an active member of Racine Grange #2606 and is currently serving as deputy for the Ohio State Grange. She is currently employed at Pomeroy Wendy’s. Olivia’s past accomplishments include Meigs County Dairy Princess, Grange Youth Female Ambassador, Meigs County Junior Fair Board, and Ohio State Junior Fair Board member.

Roy R. Vaughan

Roy is a native of Meigs County and lives in Salem Township with his wife Linda. They have two adult children and four grandchildren. Roy grew up helping on his grandfather’s farm in Long Bottom. A graduate of Meigs Local High School, he attended Ohio Northern University and Hocking College. Roy’s professional career was spent in the Commercial Truck Industry representing dealers with Ford Commercial Trucks, Sterling Truck Corporation, Peterbilt Truck and Kenworth Truck Companies.

Roy and his brother-in-law, Carl Shenefield, continue operation of the family farm in Meigs and Vinton counties using minimum tillage and no-till practices, maintaining waterways and cover crops reducing runoff and soil erosion. The farm operation averages 500 acres of corn, 500 acres of soybeans, 50 acres of wheat, and 100 acres of hay on an annual basis, along with feedlot beef cattle. Linda and Roy enjoy spending time with family and friends, community volunteering, church, gardening and raising pumpkins for some family fall fun.

Residents or landowners, firms, and corporations that own land or occupy land in Meigs County and are 18 years of age or older may vote for supervisor.

There are three ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot: at the annual meeting, at the SWCD office until 3 p.m. on Oct. 4, or via absentee ballot by requesting an absentee ballot from the SWCD office at 113 E. Memorial Dr. Suite D, Pomeroy, OH 45769. Absentee ballots can be requested by calling 740-992-4282 or stopping in the office during office hours.

Supervisors serve staggered three-year terms. The winner will be announced the evening of the annual meeting and banquet.

The Meigs SWCD is a legal subdivision of state government that provides natural resource management assistance to county landowners and other units of local government. The district is funded by the Meigs County Board of Commissioners, and county funds are supplemented by funding from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The district is governed by a five-member board of supervisors, all county residents. Current supervisors include Tony Carnahan, Bill Baer, Keith Bentz, Tonja Hunter, and Travis Mugrage.