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2024 BOARD ELECTION CANDIDATES The Gasconade County Soil & Water Conservation District (GCSWCD)will be holding an election for the Area I-Richland and Boulware Townships and the Area III—Third Creek, Clay, and Bourbois Townships from February 1st through February 20th at the USDA Service Center, 316 S Olive Street, Owensville, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every agricultural landowner in Gasconade County (no matter which Township) has the right to vote for one representative in each area listed below.  The landowners must be listed on the Title of Deed, but there is a limit of one vote per farm. A self-nomination period for candidates interested in running was hosted during the month of November 2024.  Those candidates that agreed to run are listed below in their respective areas. Area I—Richland & Boulware Township: Brian Rost—Brian and his wife Rebecca, have two sons.  They are farming 320 acres, running a cow/calf operations, raising replacement heifers, feeder calves and fat cattle.  They currently calve twice a year in the spring and fall.  They raise alfalfa for their own use and to sell to a local dairy farmer. Brian works off the farm at Oakley Professional Products. They have utilized district cost-share to build an Animal Waste Storage Facility, establish a WQ10 (Stream Protection) & DSP-3.2/3.3 (Grazing System) to provide water and cross fencing on their property, while protecting the stream.  Brian would like to help farmers become more aware of the conservation practices and programs that are available through the Soil & Water Districts. Area III—Third Creek, Clay, and Bourbois Townships: Luke Mangrum—Luke currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of the GCSWCD Board.  Luke and his wife, Melissa, have one son.  They own 220 acres. Luke has been farming for approximately 20 years.  He has a grain farm, growing corn and soybeans, and utilizes cover crops to protect the soil. Luke has utilized the Federal Environmental Incentive Quality Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and State Cost-share to address the resource concerns on his property.  He would like to continue to serve the producers of Gasconade County by promoting conservation of the land and water.  

The Gasconade County Soil & Water Conservation District is sponsoring their 2024 Annual Poster Contest with the Theme - "May The Forest Always Be with You!"  The deadline for entries is March 8th. The Board will supply the poster board to the schools that wish to participate and to any homeschooled student in Gasconade County in the Grades 2 - 8th.  Please contact our office at 573-437-3478 x 3 for the poster board. Please see the "May The Forest Always Be with You" link for more information. Contest Entry Form  

The Gasconade County Soil & Water Conservation District (GCSWCD) is proud to announce that Jahnavi Patel, of Hermann Middle School, has won the 3rd Place National Award for the 4th - 6th Grade Division for her "Healthy Soils:Healthy Life" poster.  Jahnavi's poster contest journey began in March of 2022 as the 1st place winner for  the 6th Grade at the 2022 GCSWCD competition.  She then was selected as the State Entry for the 4th - 6th Grade Division.  Her poster then took 1st Place at the Missouri Soil & Water Conservation District Competition held at Tan-Tar-A in November of 2022 and sent on to the National Association of Conservation Districts for the National Selection in February, 2023. The national winning posters for the 2022 event may be seen at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nacd/sets/72177720305965555/ The GCSWCD received notification of her award in mid-May.  Board Chairman Mike Haeffner and District Manager Diana Dean were please to present Jahnavi with her national award certificate and monetary award on May 31st at her home in Hermann.

The 2023 Annual Gasconade County SWCD Poster Contest - "One Water" -  is now open.  This contest is open to all students in the  Gasconade County School Districts, or Gasconade County homeschooled students, in grades 2 - 8. The District will supply the poster board required for the project and some information for the theme. The final day to submit posters is March 2, 2023.   The materials will be delivered to the local schools the 2nd week in January.  Please contact your child's school, if your child is interested in participating.  If you are a homeschool parent, please contact Diana M Dean at 573-437-3478 x 3 for the poster board and a link to the information. Here are the links to the contest information. Entry Form PowerPoint Presentation PowerPoint Presentation note pages 2023 One Water Contest Flyer Educator Guide We look forward to seeing this year's posters. We are pleased to also announce that Jahnavi Patel,  Hermann Middle School, won the 4th - 6th Grade 2022 State Poster Contest Award for her entry for "Healthy Soil-Healthy Life."