Jay County Soil & Water Conservation District

08/24/2026

Congratulations to Rebecca Stafford, Jay County's 2026 River Friendly Farmer recipients!

08/19/2026

If you want to see the coolest amount of cicada shells you’ll ever see come to the office and check out the tree out front! They’re on almost every branch from the trunk up!

Cicadas are large "true bugs" in the order Hemiptera, famous for the loud buzzing songs that males make during summer. They spend most of their lives underground as nymphs drinking plant sap before emerging as adults to mate and lay eggs. They do not bite or sting and are completely harmless to humans.

Emergence: Adults crawl up tree trunks at night, shed their hard outer skin, and wait for their wings to dry.

08/19/2026

Jay County SWCD would like to invite you to our local working group! Held August 19th at 4pm here at our office!

08/04/2026

07/23/2026

Did you know?

Milkweed beetles are brightly colored orange, red, and black insects that feed on milkweed plants. Their bold colors warn predators that they contain toxins absorbed from the milkweed they eat. While they may chew on leaves, stems, and seed pods, they are a natural part of the milkweed ecosystem and generally do not threaten healthy plant populations. Milkweed beetles are commonly found alongside monarch butterflies and other pollinators that depend on milkweed.

07/09/2026

Pollinator Facts for the week:


Common milkweed is a perennial, herbaceous plant that grows to heights of 2 to 6 feet on solitary stalks. Milkweed gets its name from the milky sap contained in its leaves and stems. Chemicals in this sap can be poisonous to animals. However, milkweed is an important food source for the Monarch caterpillar. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed leaves, and the larvae (caterpillars) feed on the leaves until they form their chrysalis. Leaf toxins accumulate in the Monarchs’ bodies, making them poisonous to their predators. Many insects are attracted to milkweed flowers, making them an ideal landscaping plant for attracting pollinators. Native to the US, you will find milkweed throughout all of the eastern and mid-western states. However, milkweed habitat is being lost throughout the US due to development, agricultural practices, and mowing of roadside stands, posing a threat to Monarch populations.

06/28/2026

Congratulations to all of the soil and water science participants on your winnings! And Congratulations to Alexis Sibray on being a 10 year member!

06/27/2026

Be sure to stop out and see us at the Jay County Fair!