Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District #215 Home Page

Menard County SWCD #215 is committed to maintaining the water quality

of the San Saba River

and its tributaries in Menard County

NOTICE:

The Menard NRCS Field Office

and

Menard County SWCD Office

are open by appointment only

Call 325-396-4708

Door will be locked

MCSWCD Board Meetings:

Dates and Agendas

Menard County SWCD Directors, Nov 1967 picture

Can you identify these MCSWCD Directors?

Do you know the year this picture was taken?

Click here for the answers.

Houston HAYES & Colton FLAGE 2021 YRW ATTENDEES.jpg

MENARD COUNTY SWCD PROVIDES TWO SCHOLARSHIPS TO YOUTH RANGE WORKSHOP

MCSWCD provided scholarships to Houston Hayes of Menard and Colton Flage of San Angelo, to attend the annual TSSRM Youth Range Workshop held June 20 - 25, 2021 at Texas Tech University Center in Junction.

MCSWCD also helped provide a meal for YRW participants and staff.

. . . READ FULL STORY AND SEE MORE PICS

Houston Hayes, left, of Menard, and
Colton Flage, right, of San Angelo

2021 Conservation Poster and Essay

Contest Winners

See more pics of all winners

and view or print complete list of winners

2021 Overall Conservation Poster Winners

Left to right: Tami Russell, Menard Water District Manager; Isabelle Devine, 3rd place; Benjamin Burch, 2nd place; Kade Bannowsky, 1st place and Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director.

Overall winners in the 2021 Conservation Essay Contest

2021 Overall Conservation Essay Winners

Left to right: Tami Russell, Menard Water District Manager; Colby Powell, 3rd place; Jaegar Leonard, 2nd place; Aspen Hutchison, 1st place and Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director.

THE ANNUAL MENARD COUNTY

CEU RANGE WORKSHOP

WAS HELD OCTOBER 7, 2020

Click here to read about highlights of the

workshop and see pictures

DR. JAKE LANDERS RECEIVES 2020 FRIEND OF CONSERVATION AWARD

Dr. Jake Landers was selected as Menard County SWCD’s Friend of Conservation.

This honor is given to someone who promotes conservation in the community, county and state. Jake does all of that by being involved in any event that includes learning a little or a lot about conservation. Menard County SWCD #215 is proud to have Jake represent us as our Friend of Conservation. Thank you Dr. Landers for sharing your time, effort and knowledge with all of us.

WYATT TERRELL WINS STATEWIDE

2020 CONSERVATION ESSAY CONTEST

Wyatt Terrell was selected as the winner of Menard County SWCD's annual essay contest in the 13 years and under division.

Wyatt's essay also won first place in the Area II competition.

Wyatt went on to win the Statewide Essay Contest Award in the Junior Division. His win was announced during the Virtual Annual Meeting of Texas SWCD Directors in October 2020.

MCSWCD SPONSORS RANCH BRIGADE CADET

COLTON FLAGE 2020 RANCH BRIGADE Colton B

MCSWCD provided a scholarship for Colton Flage to attend the 5-day Ranch Brigade camp this summer.

Directors' Annual Rainfall Report

Menard County Prescribed Burn Association Holds Workshop and Demonstration

WORKSHOP JANAURY 2020 Burn Wksp 1-29-20[

The Menard County Prescribed Burn Association, a chapter of Edwards Plateau Prescribed Burning Association, held a workshop on January 29, 2020 at the Murchison-Whitehead complex.

Burn equipment, safety measures and techniques for managing prescribed burns were discussed. Favorable weather conditions allowed a prescribed burn demonstration.

Prescribed burns can replace soil nutrients, manage small brush, encourage grass growth and provide other benefits.

Menard County AgriLife Extension and Menard County Prescribed Burn Association sponsored the workshop.

Menard County SWCD supports the efforts of MCPBA in training, education and good range management practices which benefit our county.

WORKSHOP BURN ASSOC JANUARY 2020 Burn Wk

MCSWCD 9th and 10th Grade

Conservation Program

November 25, 2019

Apiarist Andrew Burnard demonstrates a hive smoker while wearing his protective bee suit to talk about pollinators.

Read details of the program

and see more pics.

MCSWCD Hosts 4th Grade

Arbor Day Tree Planting

November 6, 2019

Directors Billy Kniffen and JW Jennings assist students with proper rootball technique before planting.

Read details of the tree planting

and see more pics.

MCSWCD and

Menard AgriLife Extension

CEU Range Workshop

October 2, 2019

Dr. Megan Clayton speaks on "Technology Use in Brush Control" at the annual CEU workshop.

Read details of the CEU workshop

and see more pics.

Menard County SWCD #215

Recognized for 75 Years of Service

Menard County SWCD was recognized fr 75 years service at the 79th annual meeting of Texas SWCD Directors

Menard County SWCD was recognized for 75 years of service at the 79th Annual Meeting of SWCD Directors October 28-30, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, TX. Left to right: David Basinger, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) Director, Area IV; Marty Graham, TSSWCB Director, Area II; J. W. Jennings, MCSWCD Chairman, Zone 4; Chris Casaday, NRCS District Conservationist, Menard Field Office; Charlotte Albrecht, MCSWCD Business Manager and Jose Dodier, Jr. TSSWCB Director, Area III.

In 1943 area producers worked on a conservation plan that had to be approved before the district could become an official SCD (Soil Conservation District). The official formation papers for Menard County SCD were signed on March 15, 1944.

The first District Board Members were H.H. Mears, Chairman; John M.Treadwell, Vice Chairman; Roy Benson, Secretary/Treasurer; Max Ficker Jr., Member; and O.C. Jones, Member; assisting Conservationist was Mr. Lumm.

Some of the first practices were brush work, terracing, cover crops (Hubam clover), closed terrace, pitting, diversions, decreased stocking rates and improved irrigation practices.

The District’s goals are still the same. To improve the soil health, soil productivity and thus increase soil water retention. More information as it is uncovered, discovered, or recovered.

Jake Landers & 4th Grade SEPT 10 2019 FI

Menard ISD 4th and 5th Grade

Conservation Field Day

September 10, 2019

Dr. Jake Landers teaches a group about wildlife and pollinators.

Read details of the field day

and see more pics.

MEET MENARD COUNTY'S AWARD WINNING CONSERVATIONISTS

The annual Texas Conservation Awards Program is sponsored by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the Association of Texas SWCDs (ATSWCD). Texas' 216 SWCDs are encouraged to participate in the program, which recognizes conservationists in a variety of categories, "to acknowledge, recognize and honor those who dedicate themselves and their talents to the conservation and wise use of our renewable natural resources".

2020 Area II Friend of Conservation Winner

Dr. Jake Landers

JAKE LANDERS 28 Jake with orchid[14829].

Dr. Jake Landers was selected as the Area II Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ Friend of Conservation. There are 42 Districts in Area II. Menard County SWCD selected Jake as their candidate for Area II Friend of Conservation based on his conservation contributions to our community.

He gives conservation advice to every person and organization as often as asked. Jake helped organize the Youth Range Camp and has used his ranch as a teaching tool for the camp for 23 years.

He coaches the Junior grass judging teams, holds impromptu plant identification sessions, supports and attends as many community and county events as possible.

Jake is a full time supporter of 4-H and Jr. Master Gardeners. He is an endless fount of valuable information on prescribed burning, native plants and anything dealing with conservation.

Congratulations Dr. Jake Landers.

You are so appreciated for all you do!

2020 Conservation Essay Contest

13 Years and Under Division

Wyatt Terrell

Winner of the Local, Area II and Statewide Award

Wyatt Terrell’s conservation essay in the 13 years and under division placed first over all in the Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District competition.

First and second over all posters, 13 and under over all essays and 14 to 18 over all essays are sent to Area II competition.

Area II is comprised of 42 Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Each of the Districts may send their top 2 in each category to Area II competition.

Wyatt's essay won at the Area II level and was then entered in the Texas State Conservation Board's state competition. Only first place area winners can compete for state. State competition is comprised of 5 Areas, so his essay competed against 4 others.

Wyatt won the state competition!

We are so proud of you Wyatt!

Congratulations from the Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District.

. . . See more pictures of Wyatt and read more about the annual poster and essay contests