2025 Scholarship
The Van Wert Soil and Water Conservation District is offering one $1000 scholarship to a student studying agriculture, natural resources or closely related fields at any Ohio college or university during the 2024/2025 academic year. The recipient of the scholarship needs to have completed their freshman year in college, and must be a Van Wert County resident.
Scholarship applications must be received at the Soil and Water Conservation District by May 9, 2025. The Scholarship Committee of the Soil and Water Conservation District will review the applications, and announce the recipient in June. Scholarship money will be sent directly to the recipient’s college or university at the beginning of the academic year.
Criteria for determining the recipient will be area of study, grades, activities, leadership, and commitment to conservation practices. The SWCD reserves the right to refuse any applications not meeting requirements.
Scholarship applications are available at the Soil and Water Conservation District office, 1185 Professional Drive, Van Wert or on-line at www.vanwertswcd.org. You may also email becky@vanwertswcd.com. Applications and two reference forms need to be received at the office by May 9, 2025.
2025 Fish Fingerling Sale
The Van Wert Soil & Water Conservation District is taking orders for fish fingerlings. The types of fish available are: largemouth bass, blue gill, channel catfish, shellcracker, black fat head minnow and white amur. New this year we will also be offering Tilapia. This will be available for pick up in June.
The fish sale is an opportunity for pond owners to stock or re-stock the ponds at a reasonable cost.
Orders will be accepted until April 24, 2025. Payment is expected when placing the order. The fish will be delivered to the SWCD office on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. This Tilapia will arrive in June and a notification will be sent out.
Stocking recommendations for a on acre pond are:
100 largemouth bass, 500 blue gill, 100 channel catfish, 500-1000 fat head minnow.
White amur recommendations are based on the amount of weed cover in the pond. If the pond has 20-40% vegetation the recommendation is 10 amur; above 40% weed cover the recommendation is 15 amur.
Orders will be boxed and ready at the time of delivery. Order forms are available in the office, 1185 Professional Drive, Van Wert, on the website at www.vanwertswcd.org , or by emailing Becky at becky@vanwertswcd.com .
2025 Annual Tree Seedling Sale
Deadline to Purchase Tree Seedlings is March 14, 2025
The deadline to purchase seedlings from the Van Wert Soil and Water Conservation District is March 14, 2025. The seedlings are available in packets of ten at a minimal cost.
The following seedling species are available: Norway Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, White Pine, American Arborvitae, Sugar Maple, Black Chokeberry, Red Osier Dogwood, Black Cherry, Swamp White Oak, Bur Oak, and Pin Oak.
Two seed packets are available. They include: Wildflower Seed and Butterfly / Hummingbird Seed. The 1 oz. Wildflower Seed contains 15-16 different annual and perennial species adapted for this area will cover 300 sq. ft. The 1 oz. Butterfly/Hummingbird Seed contains 10-13 annual and perennial varieties will cover 300 sq. ft.
This program is open to the public. Order forms are available in the SWCD office, 1185 Professional Drive, Van Wert, OH, on the website at: www.vanwertswcd.org. You may also call 419 238-9591 or email Becky at becky@vanwertswcd.com . Orders will be accepted until March 14, 2025, however supplies are limited, so get your orders in early. The delivery date will be the week of April 25. Payment (cash / check) is required when placing the order.
Tree Seedling Order Form
Van Wert SWCD and Farm Bureau co-host Ag Banquet
The Van Wert SWCD held their 75th Annual Meeting by co-hosting with the Van Wert Farm Bureau at the Ag Banquet on Tuesday, August 13 at Life House Church, Van Wert, OH. A SWCD election was held for two supervisor positions on the SWCD Board of Supervisors five member Board. Elliot Callow and Brett Schumm were elected to serve a three year term commencing January 1, 2025.
Dinner was provided by Streetlight Catering.
Wyatt Friedrich was the SWCD Scholarship recipient. Dustin Schaadt was recognized by the SWCD and received the Conservation Farmer Award. This award is given to honor individuals for their conservation achievements. Farm Bureau honored their scholarship recipient.
Farm Bureau presented Membership Ag Awards. The Van Wert Ag Hall of Fame Award was presented to Farm Focus for their many agricultural accomplishments.
Sponsors for the evening were: Farm Bureau, the Van Wert Soil and Water Conservation District and Ag Credit.
Pictures from the Annual Meeting
Ag Hall of Fame Recipients- Farm Focus
Pictured with SWCD board members
Conservation Farmer of the Year- Dustin Schaadt pictured with SWCD supervisor Craig Pohlman
Contact Us
Van Wert Soil & Water Conservation District
1185 Professional Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891US
(419) 238-9591 or (567) 259-4253 email: becky@vanwertswcd.com
Hours
Open today | 07:30 am – 04:00 pm |