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 the Senate Bill 299 Working Lands Programs, Lake Erie CREP, Ohio EPA watershed grants, 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.
Beth Diesch
Beth Diesch is the Team Leader with the Seneca Conservation District where she has been serving Seneca County residents since 2000. She has always enjoyed helping others, being active in her community and spending time on farms.
According to Beth, “It is an honor to be a small part of the great work of so many generations of Seneca County families. I truly enjoy spreading our mission and the teams’ passions to the people of Seneca County whether they be farmers, educators, or children! Outside of the office I am a mother, life-long learner, and traveling adventurer. I also enjoy staying involved in my church, school and community events. Bringing new ideas, enthusiasm, and innovation and building connections to further conservation efforts at Seneca Conservation District is what I’m good at.”
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.
Amanda Tubaugh
Amanda Tubaugh joined Carroll Soil and Water Conservation District as the District Administrator in 2019. Though not raised on a farm, she has resided a farm for the last 20 years with her husband, Ron, and two boys, Ethan and Brady. When she isn’t at the office, Amanda loves farming, keeping bees, kayaking and reading. As the Administrator of Carroll SWCD, Amanda 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. Amanda loves being outside and educating people about conservation. Amanda began serving as an Area 3 Director and Secretary of the OASWCDE Association in 2022.
David Runkle
David Runkle is a professional forester and has been employed by the Vinton Soil and Water Conservation District since 2017. He graduated from Hocking College in Nelsonville, OH in 2010 with a degree in Forest Management and from Ohio University in Athens, OH in 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Plant Biology. David became a Tree Farm inspector in 2018 and was named the Ohio Outstanding Inspector of 2021. He has also worked with the USDA Forest Service, OSU, and is a member fo the Hocking College Forest Management Advisory Board. He has great enthusiasm for foresty and conservation, and is highly involved in with many partner agencies and programs.
Amy Roskilly
Amy Roskilly has been with the Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District since May of 2007 as the Conservation Education Specialist. Amy is responsible for managing the District’s Conservation Education Program including designing and providing education programs to cities to evoke change and keep compliance under the Clean Water Act.
Programs include presentation and workshops, water quality monitoring, storm drain stenciling, stream clean ups and educational activity days. Additionally, Amy is certified in several curriculum including Project WET, Project Wild, Project Learning Tree, Earth Partnership for Schools and many more.
Before joining the Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District, Amy was the Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Housing Research & Advocacy Center. She has a Bachelor of Science in Interpersonal Communication from Ohio University and a Master of Arts in Environmental Studies from Cleveland State University Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs.
In her spare time, Amy enjoys being outdoors as much as possible, hiking in the Metroparks, playing tennis, golf or swimming, photography, and traveling any chance she can. She has been keeping honeybees for over 10 years.
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.