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

Menard County, TX SWCD Directors' Annual Rainfall Chart

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

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.

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.

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".

2019 Texas Essay Winner

Lexus Aguirre

The 2019 essay topic was "Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper". Menard ISD student Lexus Aguirre was chosen as the statewide winner in the Senior, 14-18 years old division of the contest.

The poster and essay competition is conducted annually by the Association of Texas SWCDs (ATSWCD) and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB), along with a variety of other conservation award categories.

Contests begin at the local level, with county SWCDs selecting winners, who are automatically entered into Area contests. Lexus was selected as the winner in Area II, comprised of 52 SWCDs. She was chosen as the Texas winner from among other local winners across the state.

See more pictures and read details about Lexus' conservation award-winning year

Lexus Aguirre was recognized as state winner of the Conservation Essay contest, senior division. She was presented an award at the 79th Annual Meeting of SWCD Directors, held October 28-30, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio. Presenting Lexus' award are, left to right: Volney Hough, president of the Association of Texas SWCDs; Lexus; Marty Graham, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) Director, Area II and Rex Isom, TSSWCB Executive Director.

2019 LEXUS AT ANNUAL MTG WITH FAMILY AND

Attending the 2019 Annual Meeting of SWCD Directors in October in San Antonio to support Lexus, are, left to right: J. W. Jennings, Menard County SWCD Director, Zone 4; Raven Aguirre; Marcy Petty Benavides; Lexus; Cydney Petty; Jewel Aguirre and Charlotte Albrecht, MCSWCD Business Manager.