Soil & Water Conservation District - Programs/Services
Conservation Planning and Design
Holmes SWCD and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provide link encourage farmers to adopt practices that conserve soil and water resources.
We can assist in several ways. Our technicians can survey, design and oversee the construction of a manure storage facility, waterway, sand infiltration bed, heavy use pad, access lane, stream crossing, fencing, milk house waste wetland pond or system, or other practices. Cost-share money may be available through USDA-NRCS.
Before we can design a system, a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) must be completed. This plan helps producers utilize all the nutrients on the farm to their fullest potential, in some cases reducing the amount of commercial fertilizer needed.
These services are available at no cost. Soil samples are necessary before the planning process can begin. The SWCD office can process soil samples for you.
Soil Survey
Books are available free of charge from the SWCD office. Ohio county soil surveys can also be accessed at websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov.
Soil Samples
A soil sample can save you money and increase your yields by applying the proper nutrients at the correct rate. The SWCD office will process your soil samples (you need to drop them off at the office) for $8 per sample for crop fields, and $10 per other samples (gardens, wildlife food plots, etc.). A staff member will explain the results if requested. Contact the SWCD office for more information.
Maps
The Holmes County GIS website provides current aerial maps on its website. The Holmes SWCD office has historical aerial maps of the county from 1941/1942, 1951, 1958, and 1983. These maps may be viewed and copied in black and white at the SWCD office.
Timber Harvests and Timber Management
If you are planning a timber harvest, please take the time to educate yourself to know what to expect from the sale and what should be included in a contract with your logger. The SWCD office encourages landowners to strongly consider hiring a consulting forester and also to file a voluntary Timber Harvest Plan that lays out the parameters of the job and ensures that best management practices are considered. Click here to ownload a Timber Harvest Plan form. Also, check out the Call Before You Cut website at callb4ucut.com for valuable insight into a timber harvest. John Jolliff with the ODNR Division of Forestry is the service forester for Holmes County. See the ODNR Division of Forestry website for landowner information, as well as the contact information for service foresters and consulting foresters.
The Ohio Woodland Stewards Program is a great resource for education about woodland management, and offers classes throughout the year. Past newsletters and information for landowners is also available on their website.
Sediment and Erosion Control Plan
Any subdivision requires the completion of a Sediment and Erosion Control permit from the SWCD office. The cost is $10/permit payable to the Holmes SWCD office. Permits can be obtained from the office Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or the completed downloaded form may be mailed with payment to Holmes SWCD, 62 W. Clinton St, Millersburg OH 44654.
Tree Seedling Sale
We will not be conducting a tree seedling sale in 2015. Contact the office at 330-674-2811 if you would like contact information for surrounding SWCDs sponsoring tree sales.
Pollution complaints
SWCDs handle complaints about livestock waste and silvicultural practices, as outlined by the Ohio Pollution Abatement Rules and Standards, as outlined in the Ohio Revised Code 1501:15-5-01 through 1501:15-5-18. We work with landowners on a voluntary basis to correct problems.