MOUNT VERNON — The Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission will conduct an election of Supervisors for the Knox Soil and Water Conservation District in accordance with Chapter 940 of the Ohio Revised Code beginning on Thursday, Nov. 19.
Individuals who own or occupy land within Knox County may vote for Supervisor.
There are two ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot:
1.) At the SWCD office located at 160 Columbus Road from Nov. 19 through Dec. 2 during normal business hours; or
2.) Vote absentee by requesting the ballot application and election ballot from the SWCD office in writing at P.O. Box 270, Mount Vernon, Ohio, or, by calling the SWCD office at 740-393-6724. Absentee ballots must be received by the SWCD office by the close of business on Dec. 2.
One supervisor will be elected to a three‐year term commencing Jan. 1, 2021. The nominees are John Campbell and Chad McDonald.
Campbell is a Berlin Township resident with a Bachelor of Science in Geography. He and his family grow commercial pumpkins on their 5-acre property. John also assists with his parents’ operation in Howard, where the family also raises commercial pumpkins.
Campbell teaches Landscape and Ag Technology at the Knox Country Career Center. He provides special focus for his students in the areas of forestry, wildlife and soil science while making sure that students are prepared to take the Ohio Pesticide/Chemical Applicator Exam. He is a member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association.
An avid canoer and fisherman Campbell believes it is important to focus on the health of our local rivers and tributaries. He believes that one of Knox County’s most pressing conservation issues is the impact that increases in storm-water discharges have on local streams.
McDonald farms with his family just north of Mount Vernon in Monroe Township. They have a diversified farming operation that includes the production of beef, poultry, and organic dairy and hay.
Their farming operation is completely grass-based for the dairy and beef herds. The poultry operation produces broiler chickens that are utilized in the retail restaurant industry throughout the midwest. The farm’s conservation program includes normal pasture and hay land management practices, nutrient management and managed rotational grazing.
McDonald is a National FFA Association – American Farmer, a member of the Ebenezer Methodist Church, a member of numerous state and national cattle associations and the Knox County Cattlemen’s Association. His primary conservation concerns for Knox County are the loss of farmland to non-agricultural uses and the over application/improper use of crop protection chemicals and the potential hazards due to their mis-use.
The Knox SWCD Board oversees a conservation assistance program that serves landowners of Knox County and has an annual operating budget of $450,000. Members elected to the SWCD Board are considered public officials under Ohio law, but serve without pay except for reimbursement of direct expenses. For more information you may contact the SWCD office directly at 740-393-6724.
