An Update on Natural Resource Conservation in Mahoning County

Mahoning Soil & Water Conservation District | Winter 2022
Annual Tree Sale is Underway; Deadline Approaching
The Mahoning SWCD recently announced plans for its annual tree sale. The deadline to order is Monday, March 21.
Mahoning SWCD Announces Spring Fish Sale
The Mahoning SWCD recently announced plans for its spring fish sale to support local pond owners. Orders are due to the district office by Friday, May 6.
Area 2 Envirothon Registration Deadline Approaching
We are excited to co-host the Area 2 Envirothon with Columbiana County Soil & Water Conservation District at Kent State University - Salem on April 28. The deadline to register is March 31.
Helping Pollinators Thrive by Improving Habitat
Did you know that pollinators are responsible for many of the foods we consume? Dr. Shane Smith, technical educator at Mahoning SWCD, provides insight on pollinators and how to help these animals thrive.
Board Spotlight
Meet Elayne Bozick
Elayne Bozick was elected to the SWCD board of supervisors in November 2021. She currently serves as chairperson.

“Environmental issues have been a concern of mine for most of my life,” said Elayne. “Although I do not have a science background, I hope that my leadership experience will benefit the organization.”

Elayne has made an impact in the community through several leadership roles outside of her work as a real estate agent at BHHS Stouffer Realty in Boardman.

She serves on the board of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society and as District Governor Nominee Designate for Rotary District 6650 where she leads two project committees, including Little Free Library and Operation Pollination Mahoning Valley.

“Operation Pollination is a Rotary International environmental project,” said Elayne. “We focus on two primary goals: educating people about the loss of habitat for pollinators and other wildlife species, the causes and why preserving biodiversity matters. We also focus on restoring and creating a network of pollinator habitats on public and private lands.”

Elayne has collaborated with the SWCD on Operation Pollination in the past. The SWCD joined the project as a community partner because of our work with pollinators, conservation of natural resources and preservation of the environment from harmful human activities.

Elayne is a former president of the Rotary Club of Youngstown and has worked with various other organizations.

She has lived in Coitsville with her husband for around 20 years.

“My husband owned a commercial landscaping company and brownfield restoration was one of his major contributions to the valley before retiring to become a high school teacher,” said Elayne. “He is now officially retired.”
Meet Andrew Baltes
Andrew Baltes was elected to the SWCD board of supervisors in November 2021. He currently serves as secretary.

“I am excited to be on the board to provide an agricultural focus,” said Andrew. “I look forward to helping the SWCD expand its reach. We want to become more active in the agricultural community.”

Andrew is a fourth-generation family farmer and operates a farm in Ellsworth Township with his father.

“We grow corn beans and wheat, and we try to plant cover crops on every acre of our farm each year,” said Andrew.

Andrew’s work with the SWCD started before he was elected to the board.

“We have worked with the SWCD in the past to advance cover crops and pollinator crops,” said Andrew. “We also coordinated on the implementation of many grass waterways across our family farm.”

Andrew is also a seed sealer with Hubner Seed and is vice president of the Mahoning County Farm Bureau board.

He lives in North Jackson with his partner, Ashley, and their son, Luke.
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