MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Columbiana SWCD is to provide assistance, communication, and education through community leadership for the stewardship and improvement of our natural resources.
VISION STATEMENT
The vision of Columbiana SWCD is to be the recognized leader and source of land use information and conservation expertise through efficient, proactive, and responsive assistance.
Columbiana Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was formed as a resource for County residents to conserve, protect, and enhance soil, water, and land resources.
The District is a sub-department of the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), and is governed by a 5-member board of locally elected officials. These officials live in Columbiana County and are familiar with the County’s resources and needs. As a whole, Ohio’s 88 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) have been working for 75 years to provide locally-driven solutions to natural resource concerns in both the rural and urban settings. Columbiana SWCD is proud to serve the county and its residents
Meet the Team
District Program Administrator
Pete Conkle
Pete has served as Columbiana SWCD’s Program
Administrator for 20 years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology. Pete also
operates Conkle Family Farms in Columbiana County and serves as the treasurer for the
Columbiana-Mahoning-Trumbull County Cattlemen’s Association. His favorite conservation
practice is grazing management!
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Wildlife/Forestry Specialist
John Beilhart
John graduated from West Virginia University in 2022 where he received a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Resource Management with a minor in Conservation Ecology. Prior to going to West Virginia University, he attended Hocking College where he received his associates degree in Wildlife Management. During his summers between schooling, he worked at Guilford Lake State Park as a seasonal maintenance worker until he was hired for the position at the SWCD. John grew up locally near Leetonia and has always had a love for the outdoors. During his childhood, he spent much of his time in the outdoors, and this is what drove him to pursue a career in wildlife management work. In John’s spare time he enjoys hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, hiking, and kayaking among a ton of other activities in the outdoors.
Little Beaver Creek Watershed Coordinator
McKinsie Klim
McKinsie received her Bachelor’s in Biology (Pre-Veterinary Medicine) from Youngstown State University in 2018. After working with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (through the Student Conservation Association) she decided to pursue a career in conservation. That decision led her to the Columbiana County Soil and Water District. A current resident of Struthers, she is eager to continue to learn best management practices for less urban areas. Her favorite conservation practice is native gardening
Agriculture Technician
Haley grew up locally on a farm in the Damascus area. She has always enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and farming. This led to her attending Hocking College where she received her associate’s degree in forestry management in 2020. After graduating college Haley worked communications for the oilfield for several years in the tristate area. While doing this she got the opportunity to travel, sightsee and learn.
Haley eventually decided she was ready to come back to Columbiana County and applied to and has been hired as Columbiana SWCD’s Ag Tech! Haley is excited for the opportunity to work in her community and learn how to better help producers and landowners alike.
Board of Supervisors
Jeremy Kohler - Don Burger - Duane Nickell - Martin Ward - Bryan Hays