The Hardin Soil and Water Conservation District will be holding its election of supervisors at the 75th Annual Meeting which is held in conjunction with Customer Appreciation Day on Thursday, August 17, 2023.

This event is from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the shelter house north of the Community Building, at the Hardin County Fairgrounds, Kenton. A catered barbecue meal will be served from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Voting will take place to fill two open Supervisor positions on the board. The Annual Meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. with recognition of several individuals, presentation of the 2023 Conservation Partner Award and election results.

The election is held in accordance with Chapters 940 of the Ohio Revised Code. Residents or landowners, firms, and corporations that own land or occupy land in Hardin County and are 18 years of age or older may vote for a supervisor. A non-resident landowner, firm, or corporation must provide an affidavit of eligibility, which includes designation of a voting representative, prior to casting a ballot.

There are three ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot: 

1. At the SWCD office from July 21-August 16 during normal business hours
2. At the Annual Meeting on August 17, 2023 between 5:00-6:00 p.m. 
3. By absentee ballot.  by requesting the ballot application and election ballot from the Hardin SWCD office at 12751 St. Rt. 309 West, Kenton, Ohio 419-673-0456, Ext. 3, or email [email protected].

Three Hardin County residents are vying for two positions on the Hardin Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors: Shannon Allmon,  Dana Dulin and

Shannon Allmon of Taylor Creek Township is seeking re-election to a three-year term. Allmon’s candidate statement: She and her husband, Darrel reside on the family farm where she helps her father, Joe Bookmyer grain farm and raise cattle. For the past 22 years Shannon has worked for Quest Federal Credit Union with her current position being VP of Ag/Business lending. She is also currently in her 4th term as the Taylor Creek Township Fiscal Officer.

In addition to these professional positions, she takes great pride being involved in her community. Currently Shannon serves as Vice-President of the Hardin SWCD Board where she has had the opportunity to learn so much. She enjoys seeing what great things the staff is accomplishing. Shannon also serves on the Board of New Hope Church and the Health and Allied advisory board.                                             

Dana Dulin of Pleasant Township is seeking his first term on the board. Dulin’s candidate statement: He grew up on his family’s farm just outside of Kenton. Today he operates that farm alongside his father John and two sons Devan and Dillon. They implement many conservation practices on their farm such as no-till, cover crops, grass waterways, fertilizer containment and filter strips.

Dana is also one of the mechanics at the Hardin County ODOT garage where he has worked since 1998. Dana graduated from The Ohio State University ATI (Agricultural Technical Insitute) with an Associate Degree of Applied Sciences in 1998. He is also currently serving on the Blanchard River Maintenance Board.

Trent Watkins is seeking re-election to a three-year term. He farms with his father Mark and uncle Brian in Hardin, Logan and Champaign counties. He has been farming professionally since graduation from The Ohio State University in 2011.                   

Trent has a wonderful wife Lacey and 2 boys, Trace and Ben, along with daughter, Rosalyn, born in April 2023. He worships Jesus with his friends at Kenton First Methodist Church. Trent is also on the Hardin County YMCA board and multiple boards at church. He feels nothing is as frustrating as destructive erosion and increasingly resistant weeds.  Especially when the mainstream options are to pay increasing amounts to buy machinery and herbicide. On the farm they have used government programs to eliminate these problems with conservation practices. As Trent runs for re-election, he hopes to continue to be a part of the solution of assisting other farmers in these challenges.