MENARD COUNTY
Soil and Water Conservation District #215
106 Bevans Street P O Box 665 Menard, TX 76859
325-396-4708 ext 5 menardcounty@swcd.texas.gov
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 County SWCD Office and
NRCS Field Office
are now open.
No appointment needed.
Stop by or call 325-396-4708 for information regarding our services, products and programs.
MCSWCD Board Meetings:
Dates and Agendas
Can you identify these MCSWCD Directors?
Do you know the year this picture was taken?
Click here for the answers.
COMING SOON!
Make Plans to Attend
2023 MCSWCD AND AGRILIFE EXTENSION
RANGE WORKSHOP
5 CEUs offered
OCTOBER 4, 2023
8:15 a.m.
Murchison-Whitehead Complex
Hwy 190 West
Register by September 25, 2023 and receive a discount!
To register, call 325-396-4787 or 325-396-4708
MCSWCD WELCOMES MISD TEACHERS BACK TO SCHOOL
Menard County SWCD hosted a breakfast for Menard ISD the first day of in-service for the 2023-2024 school year. It is the MCSWCD Board’s goal to thank the teachers, staff, administration and all involved for the difficult job of educating and nurturing our students and to thank them for their efforts in teaching conservation.
The theme for this year’s Conservation Awards Program essay and poster contest is “May the Forest Be with You, Always”. The Board looks forward to reviewing the essays and posters our MISD students submit for the 2024 school year.
Preparing to welcome teachers for the 2023-24 school year are MCSWCD Directors, left to right: JW Jennings, Billy Kniffen, Benny Kothmann and Gary Treadwell, along with Susie Lyckman, MCSWCD Manager.
As they prepare for the 2023-24 school year, teachers and administrators enjoy the Teacher Appreciation Breakfast provided by MCSWCD.
CONGRATULATIONS TO TAYTUM CHAMBLISS
AREA II JUNIOR CONSERVATION ESSAY CONTEST WINNER
Menard County is proud to have a 2023 Area II Essay Contest winner. Taytum Chambless earned 2nd place in the Junior Essay division. Taytum is the daughter of Payton and Kacy Chambless, winning as a 7th grade student at MJH. She is active in 4-H and athletics, member of the Student Council and an Honor Roll student. Menard County SWCD was happy to sponsor Taytum and her parents at the Area II Awards banquet in Wall, Texas.
2023 Conservation Poster and Essay
Contest Winners
View or print complete list of winners
2023 Elementary and Junior High Winners
Back row, left to right: Lydia Damon, Sheridan Duncan, Perla Pecina, Taytum Chambless, Kade Bannowsky, JW Jennings, MCSWCD Director and Susie Lyckman, MCSWCD Manager..
Front row, left to right: Linah Wright, Daphne Mews, Rylee Ruiz, Ellen Hand, Paisley Mayfield and Tyler Sloan.
2023 High School
Conservation Essay Winners
Left to right: Lydia Damon, Logan Powell, Sheridan Duncan, Khloe McCaffery, MCSWCD Director JW Jennings, Joslynn Quintero and MCSWCD Manager Susie Lyckman.
MENARD COUNTY DROUGHT MANAGEMENT FIELD DAY
May 3, 2023
Menard County SWCD And AgriLife Extension Hosted A Field Day Discussing The Effects Of Drought, How We Manage And How We Recover
Menard County SWCD held a Drought Management Workshop in early May. Several speakers gave their expertise in trying to manage our water and range in this difficult time. Speakers included Mark Moseley, Certified Professional in Rangeland Management; Billy Kniffen, Rainwater Specialist/Retired AgriLife Agent; Benny Fred Kothmann, local IPT expert; plus a producer panel who offered ideas, suggestions, experience and practices being utilized. Two CEUs were offered, and a good group was in attendance.
MCSWCD Director Billy Kniffen (left) and workshop attendees watch as Mark Moseley (center) demonstrates the effect of rainfall hitting bare turf.
Mark Moseley (left) discusses the method of determining proper ground cover at the MCSWCD Drought Management Workshop.
FORKED LIGHTNING RANCH
RECOGNIZED AS A MENARD COUNTY HERITAGE RANCH
The Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District recognized Forked Lightning Ranch as a Menard County Heritage Ranch. Forked Lightning Ranch was honored for their long history of ranching achievements and implementing conservation practices to manage the land and preserve it for future generations. The MCSWCD Board congratulates the Clark and Kothmann families for being fine stewards of the land.
A gate sign is presented to Forked Lightning Ranch. Pictured above, left to right: MCSWCD Director J. W. Jennings, Jo Clark, Dandy Clark Kothmann, Curtis Kothmann and MCSWCD Director Billy Kniffen.
Forked LIghtning Ranch was honored as a Menard County Heritage Ranch by MCSWCD. Pictured are recipients Curtis Kothmann, Dandy Clark Kothmann and Jo Clark.
WINTER SWEEPS ACROSS MENARD COUNTY
Despite the harsh conditions, farmers and ranchers welcomed the much-needed moisture
![ICED RANCH ROAD OVER THE RIVER FEB 2022 IMG_3233[121510].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b43bc1_6378b044615c441b8c91d0c02aa3b1c9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_328,h_437,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/ICED%20RANCH%20ROAD%20OVER%20THE%20RIVER%20FEB%202022%20IMG_3233%5B121510%5D_JPG.jpg)
![COW AND CALF AT BROKEN ICE WATER TROUGH FEB 2022 IMG_3239[121509].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b43bc1_6c1dea46a6004fcc9695f59e8057e95c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_328,h_437,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/COW%20AND%20CALF%20AT%20BROKEN%20ICE%20WATER%20TROUGH%20FEB%202022%20IMG_3239%5B121509%5D_JPG.jpg)
![COWS IN PASTURE FEB 2022 IMG_3237[121511].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b43bc1_5bc23e5395314f68ba296b40079c1494~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_337,h_449,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/COWS%20IN%20PASTURE%20FEB%202022%20IMG_3237%5B121511%5D_JPG.jpg)
Ice and snow decorated the banks of the San Saba River (pictured, left) during the February 2022 cold spell. The severe cold snap had ranchers and farmers working hard in cold, icy conditions, trying to keep livestock fed and watered. Wildlife also depends on these sources for drinking water.
This beautiful bluebonnet painting was presented to Menard County SWCD by Alexus Aguirre. The talented Menard student painted the picture in appreciation for MCSWCD sponsoring her as the 2019 State Essay Contest winner.
Retired MCSWCD Manager Charlotte Albrecht snapped this picture of migrating Monarch butterflies at her home in Menard this fall. "The Monarchs were all over the trees and cow pen daisies in my yard," Charlotte said.
High School Conservation Program
held November 16, 2021
. . . READ FULL STORY AND SEE MORE PICS
Fourth and Fifth Grade Conservation Field Day
held September 8, 2021
. . . READ FULL STORY AND SEE MORE PICS
NEW!
FARM LIABILITY SIGNS
For Property Entrances
and Work Pens
. . . See ordering details and
other info
MCSWCD RANGE WORKSHOPS
ACTIVITIES OF MCSWCD
activities, programs and grants available to students to attend agricultural and conservation workshops.
Houston Hayes, left, of Menard, and
Colton Flage, right, of San Angelo
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.
Menard County Prescribed Burn Association Holds Workshop and Demonstration
Menard County SWCD supports the efforts of MCPBA in training, education and good range management practices which benefit our county.
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 #215
Recognized for 75 Years of Service
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.
Read more about Menard County SWCD's 75 years as a conservation and agricultural leader
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 Texas Essay Winner,
13 Years And Under Division
Wyatt Terrell
See state presentation pic and read more . . .
2019 Texas Essay Winner,
14-18 Years Old Division
Lexus Aguirre
See state presentation pic and read more . . .
2018 Texas Conservation
Teacher of the Year
Mary Kniffen
See state presentation pic and read more . . .
