We maintain a wealth of resources for teachers, students, and community groups. We provide in-classroom and camp programs about soil, water, and other natural resources.

TOM GRAHAM 5TH GRADE CONSERVATION FARM TOUR

Since 1965, nearly 500 Holmes County 5th graders have participated in the Tom Graham 5th Grade Conservation Farm Tour. It has become a rite of passage for Holmes County 5th graders. Students visit a working farm and learn about conservation techniques and the importance of protecting natural resources. After the tour, students write an essay about their experience and submit the best from each school for our annual essay contest. East Holmes & West Holmes FFA chapters also sponsor a farm-safety poster contest in conjunction with the tour. Winners are honored at our annual meeting.

IN-CLASSROOM PROGRAMS

Our staff of experienced educators provide engaging, hands-on standards-based educational programming to students of all ages on a variety of topics relating to soil health, the water cycles, wildlife, and other conservation and resource topics.

educational lending library

Holmes SWCD now offers a wealth of conservation, wildlife and agricultural education resources to teachers and community groups in Holmes County at no cost. 

ENVIROTHON

Our office is a sponsor of the Ohio Envirothon, which is a great opportunity for high school students to work as a team to learn more about natural resources. Envirothon is a high school competition designed to stimulate, reinforce, and enhance interest in the environment and natural resources. Students are tested on their knowledge of soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology, and current environmental issues. Envirothon encourages cooperative decision making and team building. A team consists of five students, all from the same high school.

Camp canopy - Ohio Forestry association

Camp Canopy comes to life the second week of June each year at Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum located on Leesville Lake in the picture-perfect rolling hills of Carroll County, when high school students-turned-explorers delve into our educational-yet-oh-so-fun activities and become masters of forestry and wildlife. As camp progresses over the course of the week, campers will use the knowledge and experience they gained the day before to take the next step in understanding how it all fits into the bigger picture. By the end of camp week, they’ll be experts on Ohio’s great outdoors! Holmes Soil & Water offers one full scholarship per year for an eligible resident of Holmes County, click here to get more details.