By: Patrick Troyer, Paulding SWCD
On April 27, 1935 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Soil Conservation Act into Law that established the Soil Conservation Service within the United States Department of Agriculture. Ohio followed suite in 1941 with House Bill 646 that created the Ohio Soil Conservation Committee and allowing for the formation of local Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCD). In 1949, a Soil & Water Conservation District was formally organized in Paulding County and has been going strong ever since! On September 6th, the Paulding SWCD wants to celebrate the past 70 years of conservation in Paulding County while also looking to the future of natural resource conservation!
Paulding SWCD is gearing up for its 70th Annual Meeting & Supervisor Election on Friday, September 6th at Auglaize Country Club located at 19062 Road 212 Defiance, Ohio. The meeting will not only take on a new location but also a unique format. The day will get started at noon when the Paulding SWCD Ag Fall Golf Scramble tees off. Check In for the scramble will begin at 11:15am. Those who would like to participate in the scramble may obtain a registration form on the homepage of our website www.pauldingswcd.org , scroll down to Annual Meeting and look for “2019 Golf Scramble Registration”. Forms are due August 30th to 900 Fairground Drive Suite B Paulding, OH 45879. See the registration form for complete details and pricing. Call the office at 419-399-4771 with any questions.
Don’t golf? No problem! We will still have our traditional awards dinner following the golf scramble. At 4pm, voting will open for the election of supervisors to a three -year term on the SWCD Board. See the end of this article for candidate information. From 4:00-5:30pm, attendees can look at the newly acquired Nutrient Toolbar that Paulding SWCD has available for producers to utilize along with viewing a variety of educational and informational displays of the accomplishments of Paulding SWCD. Additionally, the driving range will be open during this time.
Dinner and awards will begin in the clubhouse at 5:30pm catered by the Auglaize Country Club. During dinner, attendees will view photo highlights of activities of the past year for the Paulding Soil & Water Conservation District and Ditch Maintenance Staff. Dinner is complimentary to all who attend. You may register online by going to the homepage of our website at www.pauldingswcd.org scrolling down to Annual Meeting and clicking on “Annual Meeting Registration”. You may also call the office at 419-399-4771.
Awards will be given out for the 2019 Conservation Educator of the Year, Photo Contest Winners, and Poster Contest winners. The Educator of the Year Award is given to the teacher in Paulding County who has been instrumental in helping to spread the Soil & Water Conservation message to his or her students and school through classroom presentations or projects. This individual sees the value in promoting outdoor learning as a supplement to their classroom curriculum. The 2019 Paulding SWCD Educator of the Year will receive a plaque and a $25 Amazon Gift Card to use towards the purchase of supplies for their classroom!
Let us cover some information on the Board of Supervisors Election and their roles. Supervisor s are the key to the success of a Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD). The ability to which these individuals conduct their responsibilities will be reflected in the accomplishments of the district. Board members are publicly elected officials who serve a term of three years volunteering their time and have many duties. They have the responsibility of the development and implementation of all short and long -term goals for the SWCD including the protection and conservation of the natural resources of Paulding County and Ohio. Board members meet at least once a month to carry out official duties of the office such as approval of financial reports, ditch petitions, and know the powers, responsibilities, and authority given to the SWCD by the state of Ohio. Lastly, board members hire capable district employees to carry out the daily work of the district, provide oversight for employees, review their performance annually, and provide adequate training for employees to remain current with the skills needed to carry out their positions.
How do you vote for a Paulding SWCD Supervisor? Residents or landowners, firms, and corporations that own or occupy land in Paulding County and are 18 years of age or older may vote for Supervisor. A non- resident landowner, firm, or corporation must provide an affidavit of eligibility, which includes designation of a voting representative, prior to casting a ballot.
There are three ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot:
(1) At the annual meeting/election event, which will take place September 6, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m.
(2) In Person at the SWCD office until 4:00 p.m. on 9/6/19
(3) Vote absentee by requesting the proper absentee request forms from the SWCD office at the following address: Paulding SWCD 900 Fairground Dr. Suite B, Paulding, OH 45879
Candidate Information
Name: Brian Ruble
Hometown: Grover Hill
Community Involvement: Farm Bureau, SWCD Board Member for last 6 years, Ohio Farmer Union Member
Family Information: Married over 30 years to my wife Deb, 2 children and a granddaughter
Acres Farmed/Owned: together with my son, we farm over 1,000 acres
Additional Information: I have farmed for my entire life. My son and I grow beans and wheat. I have greatly enjoyed serving on the Paulding SWCD Board of Supervisors the last 3 years and would love the opportunity to server another term.
