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Letters

LETTER Soil erosion rates and the cover crop option

By Matt Burkholder
The Nature Conservancy 
Farmer Advocate for Conservation Coordinator 
[email protected]

Does Riley creek have to turn brown after a rainfall event?

The short answer is no. But why does it turn brown? Most farm field’s drain into lakes and streams in our community. Unfortunately last fall many farm fields were tilled bare, exposing soil to erosion. Often a fall tillage pass is done to break up the soil and reduce compaction caused by heavy machinery.  Heavy machinery will always make some compaction. The last two fall seasons were very dry; as a result I would argue there wasn’t as much compaction made as farmers think. After a tillage pass is made rain water does infiltrate into the soil quickly. Soon after that the topsoil crusts over and water infiltration begins to decline, resulting in the need for another tillage pass. As farmers and landowners it is our responsibility to reduce erosion. The annual rate of soil erosion in Ohio is approximately 2.7 tons. That is not acceptable and it doesn’t have to be this way. 

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LETTER Bluffton Food Pantry needs continue

Getting a bag ready for Scouting for Food on Saturday, March 9 or considering making a direct donation? Here's a list of needed items from Bluffton Community Assistance, which runs the Food Pantry at St. Johns UCC, 223 W College Ave.

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Letter: Thank you from Margaret Misch

From Margaret Misch

Francis Paul Misch passed away 2/26/2024 at the age of 76 

We were married for 38 years. Bluffton, thank for your love, kindness, and support for the last two years where we have been living with my step daughter’s family.

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Letter: Isn't it time?

Isn’t it time:

To seek solutions rather than blame!

To seek progress over revenge!

To seek truth over fear!

To seek policies over party politics and personalities!

To seek to govern from the middle where compromise is possible rather than from the edges where there is no hope!

To seek to believe in a constitution that has been in effect for 235 years.

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Letter: 2024 Bluffton Beautification invitation

The letter and response form are HERE.

The flowerpots on Bluffton’s Main Street receive tremendous support from our community.  People from other communities are always amazed when they find out how this program works. Thank YOU for making downtown Bluffton such a beautiful place to shop, eat and play.

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Letter: Urge Congress to keep VOCA funded at current levels

Each year Crime Victim Services provides advocacy and services to over 4,500 individuals affected by crime and victimization in Allen and Putnam Counties through a range of programs. Our services rely heavily on federal, state and local funding to ensure victims receive quality services at no cost. Continued cuts to federal funding, however, are putting these services at risk, and we need our community’s support to keep necessary funding secure.  

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