NEWS

Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District
Administrative News

Becky Daugherty

Delaware County SWCD

The most recent Annual Meeting was held February 20, 2020 at the Knights of Columbus Family Center in Muncie.

Joshua Gruver, Board of Supervisors Chairman, opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. Following dinner, John Newby, Board of Supervisors Treasurer/Secretary, introduced the three Supervisor nominees: Debra Carpenter, Joseph Hamilton, and Jeremy Russell. The floor was opened for additional nominees, however being none the nominations were closed.

John explained due to the passing of Ron Orebaugh, attendess should vote for two nominees this year. The nominee with the most votes would fill the normal three year term and the nominee with the second most votes would fill the remaining two years of Ron's term. Each nominee was given a few minutes to speak about their operations, interests, and goals. Ballots were completed and collected for counting. Becky Daugherty, Soil Health Coordinator, provided District activities and updates for 2019 and some plans for 2020. Clair Burt, Watershed Coordinator, provided an update on the 319 Mississinewa River Grant. Joshua then introduced our speakers and their topics, Ball State University Students: Ashley Pavey - Communicating Science, Anthony Smith and Parisa Ebrahimbabaie -Nanotechnology, and Emily Dewig - Microplastic Pollution in Freshwater Streams of East Central Indiana.

John then announced Jeremy Russell as being elected Supervisor for the three year term and Joseph Hamilton as the Supervisor for the two year term. Debra Carpenter was encouraged to continue as an Associate Supervisor.

Sherry Riggin, Delaware County Commissioner, performed the Oath of Office with the new Superivsors. Door prizes were distributed. Joshua made closing remarks and the meeting was adjourned.

Ron Orebaugh


Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor since 2007 passed unexpectedly March 8, 2019. Ron had recently been re-elected to his fifth term as supervisor February 21, 2019 during our annual meeting.

Ron, along with his wife, Susan, owned and operated Grand Grilling catering service. He was a lifelong resident of Delaware County, where he had been a dairyman, raised hogs and beef cattle and was a grain farmer.

During his service with the District, Ron assisted with many community projects.

These projects included: John M. Craddock Wetland Nature Preserve, several bank stabilization projects at Prairie Creek Reservoir, the south and southeast trails at Prairie Creek Reservoir, Minnetrista Greenroof, Bonham Wetland, Morrow's Meadow Stream Restoration, establishment of the Upper Mississinewa River Watershed project, and the White River Dam Removal and Modfication. Additionally, there were many agricultural and energy cost share programs for individual producers.

Ron was an advocate not only for conservation, but also 4-H and livestock husbandry. He participated in many ways at the Delaware County Fair and Indiana State Fair. Through the catering service, he participated in and supported many charitable activities throughout the community. A few of the events he enjoyed a great deal included the Minnetrista Farmers Market, the Ironman Competition, the Yorktown Farmers Market, the 100 Men Who Cook, and flight events at the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).

He also enjoyed the many wedding receptions, birthdays, company meals, and other "private" events they catered.

Photos from the meeting