WOOSTER − If one thing makes employees at the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) happy, it is springtime. Time to start restocking ponds, planting trees and reconnecting with the community.

“Springtime is when it really gets going for us,” said John Lorson, program administer. “We emphasize conservation all year long. In the winter, we hold classes and try to put the thought of conservation into people’s minds.”

Born out of poor agricultural practices that led to the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s, the Soil and Water District’s mission is to protect, restore, enhance and promote the wise use of natural resources through projects, technical assistance, education and the cooperation of landowners.

After pond-stocking, attention turns to trees

“We just wrapped up a pond clinic,” Lorson said. “So that is a perfect lead-in to our fish sale.”

Lorson explained ponds require maintenance and, if left unattended, there could be fish die-offs.

To keep a pond viable, Lorson and the SWCD staff make it convenient for pond owners to gather as much information locally as possible by hosting classes and conducting an annual fish sale at the fairgrounds.

After delivering about 5,700 fish Tuesday, SWCD staff diverted their attention to the preparation of 2,500 trees for distribution Thursday.

Native trees are in high demand at the moment, according to Lorson.

“The derecho that came through here last summer wiped out tens of thousands of trees,” he said. “Some of that was mature, old-growth forestation, and filling those gaps left by the storm is important.

“If we do not get on top of this and get trees growing soon, invasive plant species will take over,” he said.

Lorson, who collaborated with the Holmes County Soil and Water District for tree orders, said the number of tree orders tripled this year.

Skit addresses manure spreading

Norwayne FFA and vocational agriculture adviser Abby VanTyne brought students to the Wayne County Administration Building to practice a skit they will perform in a state competition in May on the topic of manure spreading.

“The students did a fantastic job; they were very knowledgeable,” Lorson said. “Farmers have a small window of opportunity to fertilize their fields and are also constrained by weather. Getting the right amount of manure at the right time in the fields is critical, and the conditions have to be just right.”

Dan Starcher is the Public Communications coordinator for the Wayne County government.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Springtime is busy time at Wayne Soil and Water Conservation District