Do you own livestock? Have some pasture or grazing land that needs conservation practices like rotational grazing? The SWCD Conservation Pilot Program is designed to fund locally led, water-quality-focused conservation projects and expand the experience and abilities of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) to deliver conservation programs. This fulfills a need to develop and evaluate agricultural water quality improvement approaches on different farming practices across Ohio’s varied landscapes with a focus on pasture and hayland.

Projects should address nonpoint source pollution, with an emphasis on agricultural best management practices (BMPs) that improve water quality by reducing, abating, assimilating, or eliminating sources of phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment. Some ideas we are considering are rotational grazing kits, livestock exclusion, interior cross fence for rotational grazing, heavy use area protection, stream crossings, manure management, and alternative watering for livestock. Let us know if you have any resource concerns so that we may work together to address those needs & concerns. We want to hear from you! Call (440) 326-5803 or email Conservation Technician Hayden Matus at hmatus@loraincounty.us

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Competitive proposals will demonstrate:

• A clear local need for water quality improvement.

• Implementation of pasture/hayland practices.

• Stakeholder engagement and partner collaboration.

• Project feasibility, including readiness and technical soundness.

• Measurable outcomes, such as nutrient and sediment load reduction.

• Capacity-building, showing how the project expands SWCD programming and expertise.