Soil & Water Gives Back
To celebrate Soil & Water’s 75th Anniversary, the Board established a community Conservation Mini-Grant Program in 2019. The program offers up to $1,000 to Licking County non-profits that demonstrate the need and ability to carry out on-the-ground conservation projects. In 2023, nine applications were received from non-profits, local government entities, and/or schools for local conservation projects. $4,750.00 will be distributed between the selected organizations. The 2024 application deadline was September 27, 2024.
Congratulations to the 2023 Conservation Mini-Grant Program Fund Recipients!
Hopewell Commons Condominiums will be creating a 35'x15' perennial pollinator garden at their entrance. The garden will feature Ohio native plants to restore pollinator habitat and promote resource conservation.
Licking Valley FFA plans to add a fountain aeration system to their Licking Valley Land Lab pond to help their fish and water quality.
Welsh Hills School will be planting a blueberry garden in an orchard setting to use as an outdoor classroom to get students of all ages involved. Students will assist with the entire project from planting to pruning and then to harvest.
Southwest Licking Middle School will be building a composting system that works with the cafeteria to reduce waste coming from the school and put it to use in their garden. The students will learn of the benefits of composting and soil health.
Excellence in Learning Community Co-op will be improving school property by installing a permanent trash receptacle near the playground area that has had a lot of dumping. They will also be installing lights to discourage the dumping. They also plan on planting native wildflowers/grasses on the fence line to help with the erosion issue.
Blessed Sacrament School plans on creating raised garden beds with their gardening club. The students will learn the process of caring for the plants.
Licking County Master Gardener Volunteers will be rebuilding a polyhouse in their garden to enhance the classes they offer in gardening. The vegetable grown in their garden get donated to low-income food programs.
