Kelly Crout is the District Administrator for the Butler Soil and Water Conservation District. Kelly was born and raised in Butler County on her parent’s grain farm. She was heavily involved in 4-H and FFA growing up and now serves on the Advisory Board for two local FFA chapters. Kelly received her B.S. in Geology at Wittenberg University and her M.S. in Geology at the University of Akron. Kelly and her husband continue to help with both family farms, while also farming themselves.
Kelly has been with Butler SWCD for four years. As the Administrator, Kelly manages the District’s day to day activities and works closely with the Board of Supervisors, as well as handles the District’s accounts and finances. Kelly enjoys working with both the agricultural and the urban communities in Butler County. Kelly is currently serving as the Treasurer of the OASWCDE Association.
Rebecca Longsmith
Rebecca Longsmith has been with the Delaware SWCD as a Resource Conservationist since 2016. Rebecca attended Miami University and received a B.A. in zoology and environmental science, and a Masters of Environmental Science with a concentration in land and water management. Rebecca currently resides in Delaware County with her husband, Garrett, and two adventurous dogs.
Along with her technician duties, Rebecca manages the Farmland Preservation Program (LAEPP) on behalf of the Delaware County Commissioners. She enjoys getting to know landowners and playing a small role in helping preserve farmland for future generations. Rebecca also maintains much of the District’s GIS data, including technical assistance records and drainage maintenance infrastructure mapping. Her favorite parts about her job are being outside, helping people, and doing something different every day.
When she isn’t at work, Rebecca loves hiking, tending her vegetable garden and chickens, and baking yummy treats to share with her coworkers.
Matthew Browne
Originally from Sandusky, Ohio, Matthew Browne graduated from BGSU in 2012, receiving a B.S. in Environmental Science. He currently lives in Rossford, Ohio with his wife and daughter. His work history includes the Metroparks of the Toledo Area and the Sandusky County SWCD. Matthew currently works for the Lucas Soil & Water Conservation District as a their H2Ohio Program Technician.
Whether he's working with an agricultural producer or urban landowner, his job duties primarily focus on getting conservation practices on the ground. This has included work with farmland preservation, Lake Erie CREP, H2Ohio, and assisting NRCS on various other programs. Whether he's surveying, making maps, or advising on plant species recommendations, Matthew is always willing to lend a helping hand and is excited for any opportunity to help others.
Chad Stang
Chad Stang is the District Administrator for the Huron Soil and Water Conservation District. Chad was born and raised in Huron County where he grew up on a family farm participating in 4-H and FFA. Chad attended Ohio State ATI and received an Associate’s Degree in Agricultural Commerce. After living and working for 10 years in Columbus, Chad returned home to take the Administrator position in 2014. Along with the administrative duties, Chad handles drainage, and Ag Pollution Abatement complaints. In his Spare time Chad enjoys playing softball, hunting, fishing, going to the gym, and spending time with friends and family.
Katie Kovaly
Katie Kovaly joined Monroe SWCD in December 2016 as the District Program Administrator. Katie grew up in neighboring Belmont County where she was involved in the county 4-H program. Katie received her B.S. in Agriculture from The Ohio State University in the Spring of 2010. She currently resides in Belmont County with her husband Steve and two girls, Liza and Madison.
As the District Program Administrator, Katie manages daily operations, conducts educational outreach programs for adults and youth of Monroe County, and works closely with staff and supervisors to determine resource concerns and address those needs. Katie is a current advisor for the Swiss Hills FFA chapter and a committee member for the NRCS spotlight training program.
Sara Fehring
Sara Fehring started working with the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2015, as an Education Assistant. In 2019, was offered the Public Involvement Coordinator position and in April of 2020, was promoted to Marketing and Outreach Coordinator. Sara attended Miami University and received a B.A. in Zoology and Environmental Sciences and an M.A. in Biological Sciences. Sara currently resides in Butler County will her husband Mike and two kiddos, Maci and Michael. In her free time, Sara enjoys being outdoors, horseback riding, camping, crafting, baking and hanging out with her family. Sara began serving as an Area 4 representative for the OASWCDE in 2020.
Emma Farahay
Emma Farahay began her service to Erie Conservation District as an AmeriCorps member in 2020. She was hired as the District Technician at the completion of her service year in 2021. Emma graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Environmental Science with a GIS Certificate.
As the District Technician, she assists with GIS data collection, project management, education programs, volunteer stream monitoring, engineering designs, surveying, and more! Emma is passionate about helping others and educating about conservation. In her free time, Emma enjoys playing ice hockey, playing her tuba, and exploring the outdoors.
Taylor Coy I grew up in Darke County and went to Greenville High School. I lived on about a 60ac farm with a few cattle and couple horses. The Greenville Creek ran through our farm where I spent most of my time. After high school I attended and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Geography and Planning from the University of Toledo. After college I worked for an Ag consultant taking soil tests on the side for around three years. While doing that I was a Horticulture Technician with Cox Arboretum at Five Rivers Metroparks for four years. In 2018 my SWCD career started when I was hired on in Paulding SWCD as a multi-county Nutrient Management Specialist. During my five plus years there I worked as the H2Ohio program lead for Paulding Co. and APAP investigator for Paulding, Van Wert, Defiance, and Williams Co. In January I took the Ag Technician position at Licking SWCD. My two main hobbies are fishing and golfing. I don’t golf as much as I used to, but I really enjoy organizing golf scrambles for a good cause. Organized a scramble to help raise money for the education fund in Paulding Co. for four years, and my family and I have an annual scramble for a scholarship 6 years running. Fishing is what I do the most of, I’m an avid tournament bass angler. I will fish around 20-25 tournaments a season all around Ohio and other states.