Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David T. Daniels, the Highland County Board of Supervisors, county commissioners and other dignitary’s visited Millstone Creek Farm near Hillsboro as part of Celebrate Ohio Agriculture Week.
“This year marks the 75th anniversary of the act which created the state and local soil and water conservation districts,” said Daniels. “Highland County boasts the first Soil and Water Conservation District in Ohio, which made Millstone Creek Farm a fitting place for our Ohio Ag Week event.”
Millstone Creek Farm is owned and operated by Tim and Sandy Shoemaker and Howard Grabill. The farm consists of 190 rolling acres. In 2002, the Ohio Department of Agriculture accepted the donation of the conservation easement from the Millstone Creek Farm to assure the land will remain in agricultural use forever through the Farmland Preservation Program.
Millstone Creek Farm utilizes several conservation practices with help from partners at Highland Soil and Water Conservation District, United State Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Services and Ohio Department of Agriculture Division of Soil and Water Conservation. Officials from all of these agencies were present during the visit to discuss the importance of the incorporated practices for the benefit of soil health and water quality.
A detailed presentation on the conservation practices installed on the Millstone Creek Farm was presented by Highland SWCD Board member Jim Carr, along with an overview of the grazing operations by ODA Program Specialist Rob Hamilton, and the importance of water quality by Jason Bernard, City of Hillsboro Water Treatment Facility.
Ohio Agriculture Week is celebrated each March to help educate Ohioans about the importance of the state’s $105 billion food and agriculture industry. This stop was one of many stops Daniels made during Ohio Agriculture Week, March 14-18, to honor local farmers and agribusinesses and the tremendous economic impact they have on the state.
Submitted by Emily Heppner, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Soil & Water Conservation.
