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Menard County SWCD #215

Annual Activities and Workshops

Friend of Conservation Award

Leadership Development Workshop -February

Poster and Essay Contests - February

Poster and Essay Award Presentations – March/April

Area II Awards Banquet - May

Soil and Water Stewardship Week  - April/May

Hill Country Association Spring Meeting - May

TSSRM Youth Range Workshop Meal - June

SWCD Educator Workshop Meal - June

Teacher Appreciation Breakfast - August

4th & 5th  Grade Conservation Field Day - September

CEU Training – October

Annual TSSWCB State Meeting - October

4th Grade Arbor Day Tree Planting - November

High School Conservation Program - November

Menard County SWCD recognizes the importance of training our teachers and students regarding conservation, preservation and restoration of our natural resources.  We are pleased to sponsor youth and teacher workshops and provide tuition for educators and students to attend.  

For further information on youth and teacher workshops listed below, registration forms or tuition, please call

the Menard County SWCD office at 325-396-4708

MCSWCD SPONSORS RANCH BRIGADE CADET
COLTON FLAGE 2020 RANCH BRIGADE Colton B

Colton Flage grills at the 2020 Ranch Brigade camp where cadets learned about sustainable beef production and other ag-related topics. 

Menard County SWCD #215 provided a scholarship to the 2020 Ranch Brigade for Colton Flage.  Colton attended the summer Ranch Brigade, where he experienced ranching activities.

The Brigade is a 5-day camp in which land stewardship and livestock production are presented by wildlife and ranching professionals.  The cadets learn about sustainable beef production from conception to the consumer.  Leadership development, education and empowerment tools are also presented.

This is an excellent program for making contacts with other cadets interested in pursuing a career in ranching and/or agriculture.  The Ranch Brigade is held on the Warren Ranch near Santa Anna, Texas.

Colton is the son of Bruce and Lynsey Flage of San Angelo, Texas.  He is the nephew of Heather and Gary Treadwell of Menard, Texas.  He is a junior at San Angelo Central High School and plans to attend Texas A&M University in College Station.  Colton will be the 6th generation ranching in Menard County.   

Menard County SWCD is very pleased to have the honor of sponsoring a cadet to the Ranch Brigade.

 

See more information about Ranch Brigades at:

https://www.texasbrigades.org/camps-programs/ranch-brigade

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The 2020 Ranch Brigade provided an opportunity for hands-on learning activities. 

Colton participated in important aspects of livestock production.    

RANCH BRIGADE
YOUTH RANGE WORKSHOP

TSSRM  YOUTH RANGE WORKSHOP

    The Texas Section Society for Range Management (TSSRM) sponsors an annual Youth Range Workshop for eligible high school students in June at the Texas Tech University Center in Junction, Texas.  Students attend five full days of sessions on leadership, small group working skills, grasses, range management, soils, water resource management and other ecological practices.     

    Each year, Menard County SWCD joins with other partners to cook the Monday evening meal for YRW participants and staff. 

     Menard County SWCD will help find financing for any student that wishes to attend YRW.   

  2022 YOUTH RANGE WORKSHOP
June 19-24, 2022

Each year, MCSWCD sponsors the evening meal after the first full day of the annual Texas Section Society for Range Management's (TSSRM) Youth Range Workshop.  MCSWCD Directors prepared a sizzling fajitas meal for the student participants and instructors.  

Benny Kothmann and JW Jennings, Menard County SWCD Directors prepare food at the 2022 YRW.
Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director, prepares food at the 2022 YRW

MCSWCD Directors prepare a fajitas meal at the 2022 Youth Range Workshop 

Pictured left, Benny Kothmann (left) and JW Jennings prepare the vegetables, while Billy Kniffen (pictured on the right) cooks the chicken. 

Below:  Directors served the meal to hungry YRW participants and instructors.  Left to right:  Chairman Benny Kothmann, JW Jennings, Billy Kniffen and Jerry Kidd.

MCSWCD Directors served up fajitas at the 2022 Youth Range Workshop
CEU Workshop Anchor

2023 Menard County SWCD
and AgriLife Extension Range Workshop
October 4, 2023

A.H. Murchison and Whitehead Building
225 W Hwy 190


8:15 - 9:00 a.m. Registration
Breakfast items provided by Menard County Water District
Lunch Provided

Lunch provided and sponsored by Menard Bank

5 CEUs (2 General, 1 IPM, Laws and Regs, Drift, Invora)

​​

Presenters:  Mark Mosely, Tanner Chancelor, Billy Campbell, Reagan Noland, Justin Foster

 Invora Training will be provided by Billy Campbell

REGISTER EARLY BY SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

Early Registration $25 per person/$40 per couple

$35 per person at the door $50 per couple

Limited seating --- pre-payment not necessary

For more information and to register, call:

MCSWCD 325-396-4708

AgriLife 325-396-4787

Susie 325-456-2137

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2022 CEU WORKSHOP

Pictured above (left), Billy Campbell and (far right), Shawn Reininger and Cory Pence. 

CEU RANGE WORKSHOP

Held Annually, First Wednesday in October

Call the Menard County SWCD office regarding CEU workshops: 

      325-396-4708       

LEADERSHIP DEVELOP WORKSHOP

MCSWCD Director and Business Manager attend the

2019 Leadership Development Workshop in Temple

 

    The annual Leadership Development Workshop for updating SWCD Directors and employees was held February 20 and 21, 2019 in Temple, Texas. MCSWCD Director Billy Kniffen and Business Manager Charlotte Albrecht attended the comprehensive two-day workshop. 

    The program included Organization and Functions of the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts (ATSWCD); function of Texas Conservation Association for Water and Soil (TCAWS); "Things to Beware of and Things to Be Aware of" at SWCD Board meetings by Area II TSSWCB Field Rep Kendria Ray; SWCD responsibilities in managing state and federal funds; Open Meetings Act training; Texas Public Information Act training; responsibilities of SWCD Directors; parliamentary procedure review and SWCDs' responsibilities in working with the legislative process. 

    Attendees from across the state enjoyed a meet and greet social with fajita supper.  The workshop concluded with a tour of the TSSWCB building.  

JPG B KNIFFEN AT 2019 LDW Di Em Workshop

MCSWCD Director Billy Kniffen attended the 2019 Leadership Development Workshop in February in Temple, TX.  MCSWCD Business Manager Charlotte Albrecht also attended the comprehensive two-day workshop designed to update District Directors and staff members on a wide variety of topics.  

New! 

Annual SWCD Educator Workshop
Held at the TTU/Junction campus on the South Llano River
  Watch for Summer Dates 

Local teachers Linda Palmer and Myghan Meadows attended the first Land Stewardship Institute in June 2018.  MCSWCD was proud to provide tuition for both educators to attend.  

Local educators interested in attending should contact

Menard County SWCD at 325-396-4708    

EDUATOR WORKSHOP
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