Gazette News Report

XENIA — The Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts announced that Xenia residents Joe and Mike Beam have been named soil health champions by the National Association of Conservation Districts.

The OFSWCD worked with its local soil and water conservation districts to nominate soil health leaders based on their work to promote soil health management practices on their own farms and advance the adoption of these practices within their communities. The association supports the work of NACD soil health champions by promoting their activities and assisting their local districts in publicizing field days, tours, and other soil health related promotional activities.

As members of the Soil Health Champion Network, the Ohio champions are raising awareness of the benefits of soil health practices from the local level to a national one. Champions share their personal experiences using best management practices through the national network on a peer-to-peer basis and through NACD-hosted national meetings and events.

“It is an honor to participate in this important national movement to increase adoption of conservation practices,” said Kris Swartz, president of the OFSWCD. “We are proud of our state champions. Building soil health for long-term sustainability is critical to providing food, fuel, and fiber for a growing population here and abroad.”

“These Soil Health Champions richly deserves this honor. Each one is an amazing advocate for good conservation adoption of soil health practices,” Swartz said.

The Beams represent the Greene Soil and Water Conservation District.