MENARD COUNTY
Soil and Water Conservation District #215
106 Bevans Street P O Box 665 Menard, TX 76859
325-396-4708 ext 5 menardcounty@swcd.texas.gov
Menard County SWCD #215 is committed to maintaining the water quality
of the San Saba River
and its tributaries in Menard County
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
MCSWCD MONTHLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
First Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m.
at the MCSWCD office
106 Bevans, Menard, TX
MCSWCD and AgriLife Range Workshop
October 1, 2025
New location
American Legion Hall
152 East Hwy 190 Menard, TX 76859
Menard County SWCD strives to serve our county in efforts of soil and water conservation with a focus on education.
These are some of the activities MCSWCD conducts and sponsors to support our community.
Congratulations to Our
2025 Area II Essay Winner
Caitlyn Burch
MCSWCD is proud to announce MISD student Caitlyn Burch has been selected winner of the
2025 Area II Conservation Essay competition.
2025 SOIL AND WATER STEWARDSHIP WEEK
As a Stewardship project, the SWCD Board under direction of Director Billy Kniffen worked to restore the Menard Library garden to the time when Native Americans were present.
Menard County SWCD Directors honor long time supporter Jake Landers at the library restoration.
Judge Corbin and County Clerk Eggleston declare Stewardship Week for Menard County.
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TSSRM YOUTH RANGE WORKSHOP
June 8 - 13, 2025
TTU Center/Junction, TX
TSSRM Youth Range Workshop will be held in Junction June 8-13, 2025. Menard County SWCD hopes to sponsor up to two youth to attend this workshop. For information, contact Susie at 325-396-4708 at the MCSWCD office. Applications can be picked up at the office or in the school office. Students must be 14-18 years old and have completed 8th grade to attend.
MENARD COUNTY DROUGHT MANAGEMENT FIELD DAY
Menard County SWCD And AgriLife Extension Hosted A Field Day Discussing The Effects Of Drought, How We Manage And How We Recover
Menard County SWCD held a Drought Management Workshop in early May 2023. Several speakers gave their expertise in trying to manage our water and range in this difficult time. Speakers included Mark Moseley, Certified Professional in Rangeland Management; Billy Kniffen, Rainwater Specialist/Retired AgriLife Agent; Benny Fred Kothmann, local IPT expert; plus a producer panel who offered ideas, suggestions, experience and practices being utilized. Two CEUs were offered, and a good group was in attendance.
MCSWCD Director Billy Kniffen (left) and workshop attendees watch as Mark Moseley (center) demonstrates the effect of rainfall hitting bare turf.
Mark Moseley (left) discusses the method of determining proper ground cover at the MCSWCD Drought Management Workshop.
FORKED LIGHTNING RANCH
RECOGNIZED AS A MENARD COUNTY HERITAGE RANCH
The Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District recognized Forked Lightning Ranch as a Menard County Heritage Ranch. Forked Lightning Ranch was honored for their long history of ranching achievements and implementing conservation practices to manage the land and preserve it for future generations. The MCSWCD Board congratulates the Clark and Kothmann families for being fine stewards of the land.
A gate sign is presented to Forked Lightning Ranch. Pictured above, left to right: MCSWCD Director J. W. Jennings, Jo Clark, Dandy Clark Kothmann, Curtis Kothmann and MCSWCD Director Billy Kniffen.
Forked LIghtning Ranch was honored as a Menard County Heritage Ranch by MCSWCD. Pictured are recipients Curtis Kothmann, Dandy Clark Kothmann and Jo Clark.
Menard County Prescribed Burn Association Holds Workshop and Demonstration
Menard County SWCD supports the efforts of MCPBA in training, education and good range management practices which benefit our county.
The Menard County Prescribed Burn Association, a chapter of Edwards Plateau Prescribed Burning Association, held a workshop on January 29, 2020 at the Murchison-Whitehead complex.
Burn equipment, safety measures and techniques for managing prescribed burns were discussed. Favorable weather conditions allowed a prescribed burn demonstration.
Prescribed burns can replace soil nutrients, manage small brush, encourage grass growth and provide other benefits.
Menard County AgriLife Extension and Menard County Prescribed Burn Association sponsored the workshop.
NEW!
FARM LIABILITY SIGNS
For Property Entrances
and Work Pens
. . . See ordering details and
other info
MCSWCD RANGE WORKSHOPS
ACTIVITIES OF MCSWCD
activities, programs and grants available to students to attend agricultural and conservation workshops.
MEET MENARD COUNTY'S AWARD WINNING CONSERVATIONISTS
The annual Texas Conservation Awards Program is sponsored by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the Association of Texas SWCDs (ATSWCD). Texas' 216 SWCDs are encouraged to participate in the program, which recognizes conservationists in a variety of categories, "to acknowledge, recognize and honor those who dedicate themselves and their talents to the conservation and wise use of our renewable natural resources".
2020 Texas Essay Winner,
13 Years And Under Division
Wyatt Terrell
See state presentation pic and read more . . .
2020 Friend of Conservation
Jake Landers
See presentation pic and read more . . .
2019 Texas Essay Winner,
14-18 Years Old Division
Lexus Aguirre
See state presentation pic and read more . . .
2018 Texas Conservation
Teacher of the Year
Mary Kniffen
See state presentation pic and read more . . .
