Welcome to the Darke Soil and Water Conservation District website. Darke SWCD is a legal subdivision of the State of Ohio responsible for the conservation of natural resources within Darke County. We have a special emphasis on soil and water with a focus on assisting landowners in planning and applying conservation practices on the land. Darke SWCD is dedicated to the sustainable use of our natural resources and to encouraging positive behavorial changes that produce a higher quality of life for our citizens. The District assists all Darke County residents, schools and jurisdictions through our free services and dynamic partnerships that continually provide innovative solutions for the challenges of our region.
We are new to the online world, please take a few moments to look through our entire website. If you see anything missing or have suggestions, we encourage you to call our office or fill out the form on the Contact Us page and share your ideas. Our goal with this site is to be more efficient at getting our programs and messages out to the residents of Darke County.
Thank you for visiting!
We are new to the online world, please take a few moments to look through our entire website. If you see anything missing or have suggestions, we encourage you to call our office or fill out the form on the Contact Us page and share your ideas. Our goal with this site is to be more efficient at getting our programs and messages out to the residents of Darke County.
Thank you for visiting!
CURRENT NEWS
Greenville Creek Canoe Float to be held June 8th
Join us as we float down the Greenville Creek for our annual educational canoe float. We will start at Alice Bish Park (Ohio Street) and end at the Bear's Mill. Cost is $5 and includes lunch. Pre-registration is required. Call the office to reserve your spot, 548-1715 ext. 3.
2018 Board of Supervisors Monthly Board Meeting Notice
The Darke SWCD Board of Supervisors monthly board meetings are scheduled for the first Monday of each month at 8:00 AM. The monthly meetings will be held at the Darke SWCD office located at 1117 Southtowne Ct, Greenville, OH 45331.
For additional information or if you would like notice of board meeting date/location/etc. changes please contact the district office at 937-548-1715, Ext. 3 or email jared.coppess@darkeswcd.com. The Darke SWCD office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For additional information or if you would like notice of board meeting date/location/etc. changes please contact the district office at 937-548-1715, Ext. 3 or email jared.coppess@darkeswcd.com. The Darke SWCD office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Newly Elected Supervisor Sworn In, Board Reorganization
At the January board meeting, newly elected supervisor Monty Stump was sworn into office. Shortly after opening the meeting, the board of supervisors went through a reorganization. The 2018 officers for the Darke SWCD Board of Supervisors are as follows:
Chairman - Gary Goettemoeller
Vice Chair - Tom Harrod
Treasurer - Monty Stump
Secretary - Bill Roll
Publicity - Kevin Jones
Chairman - Gary Goettemoeller
Vice Chair - Tom Harrod
Treasurer - Monty Stump
Secretary - Bill Roll
Publicity - Kevin Jones
Click for ODA Press Release on Winter Manure Application
NRCS Releases Documentary on Father of Soil Conservation
Watch an inspiring reminder of why private lands conservation is so important, now and into the future. Click here for the video.
New Hunting & Fishing Regulations Available
Stop by the office to pick up the new hunting and fishing regulations. We also have permission to hunt, fish and trap on private lands forms available.
Check the weather forecast prior to manure application
It is important to check and print the weather forecast prior to any manure application. The weather forecast can be found at www.weather.gov and then type in your zip code. You should keep the printed weather forecast with your other manure application records, such as application rate, source, etc.
Remember, if there is greater than a 50% chance of rainfall of more than 1/2-inch forecast within 24 hours, manure application is not recommended. More information about NRCS Standard 590 (Nutrient Management) can be found by clicking here.
Remember, if there is greater than a 50% chance of rainfall of more than 1/2-inch forecast within 24 hours, manure application is not recommended. More information about NRCS Standard 590 (Nutrient Management) can be found by clicking here.
2017 Plat Books are now available!
The 2017 plat books have arrived and are for sale for just $25. Stop by the office to purchase yours today!
Education & Outreach Effort: Ag Pollution Abatement Program
Water quality has long been a concern, and recent events in Lake Erie, Grand Lake St. Mary’s, Buckeye Lake and the Gulf of Mexico have brought that concern to the front of people’s minds. Earlier this month, the Governor signed Senate Bill 1 (SB1) which aims to mitigate harmful algal blooms in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Amid new legislation and increased interest in and scrutiny of agriculture, the Darke Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will release a series of monthly articles on agricultural topics. Be on the lookout for future columns from Darke SWCD staff on SB1, manure application setbacks, manure storage and stockpiling, cover crops and other related topics.
Darke SWCD staff would like to engage the county in a conversation on environmental stewardship. This series of articles will provide farmers with information to help them protect water quality. Additionally non-farming community members can learn what farmers are doing and can do to protect water quality in our lakes, rivers and streams. Click link below to find all articles in this series as they are released.
Darke SWCD staff would like to engage the county in a conversation on environmental stewardship. This series of articles will provide farmers with information to help them protect water quality. Additionally non-farming community members can learn what farmers are doing and can do to protect water quality in our lakes, rivers and streams. Click link below to find all articles in this series as they are released.
Report a Spill (24/7): 800-282-9378
The Ohio EPA Spill Hotline allows you to report release of any material that impacts public health or the environment, including chemicals and petroleum products. Be prepared with as much of the following information as possible:
- Responsible party (name of carrier, owner,operator or facility).
- Date/time (discovered/occurred).
- Location (address, cross street, mile marker).
- Material(s) (chemical, product, or common name).
- Quantity (estimated release/total).
- Hazards (extremely hazardous substance, placard, materials safety data sheet [MSDS]).
- Affected media/area (air, land or waterway, including threats to ditches, sewers, streams).
- Actions/notifications (evacuations,containment, contractor hired).
- Contacts on scene (responder cell phone number, responsible party, contractor, facility point of contact).
- Other useful information (truck DOT or rail car number, chemical UN ID number, MSDS, etc.).