ODA recognizes 10 Soil and Water Conservation Districts, including Highland SWCD
Pictured are Brian Baldridge and Tammy Newsome, Highland SWCD District Operations Manager.
REYNOLDSBURG – The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is recognizing 10 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) for their exceptional leadership and commitment to helping farmers in their communities following the 2024 drought.
The awards were presented by ODA Director Brian Baldridge during the 2026 Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Partnership Meeting in Columbus. Each of the honored districts achieved 100% participation in the Ohio Department of Agriculture Drought Assistance Program, providing relief to every eligible livestock producer in their county.
The 10 recognized Soil and Water Conservation Districts are listed below.
Highland
Hocking
Jackson
Lawrence
Madison
Meigs
Morgan
Pickaway
Vinton
Washington.
“During an extremely difficult growing season in 2024, these 10 districts ensured that no producer was left behind,” said ODA Director Brian Baldridge. “Ohio agriculture is resilient because of collaboration and partnerships like these at the local level.”
In 2024, 28 counties in Ohio were designated as primary natural disaster areas by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) between August 19 and September 16, 2024, due to drought conditions.
Senate Bill 54, which allocated state funding to provide relief to livestock producers facing persistent drought conditions, was signed into law in December 2024. Local SWCDs played a critical role in administering the relief program, helping to deliver assistance to more than 4,300 producers across the state.
The 10 awarded SWCDs reached 100% participation by ensuring every eligible producer in their county received relief assistance.
The remaining 18 SWCDs that also assisted with the drought assistance program each achieved 80% or higher participation in their respective counties. Each of those districts received a certificate for their efforts during the luncheon.
The 18 Soil and Water Conservation Districts include:
Athens
Belmont
Carroll
Fairfield
Fayette
Franklin
Gallia
Guernsey
Harrison
Jefferson
Licking
Monroe
Muskingum
Noble
Perry
Pike
Ross
Tuscarawas.
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