Ohio’s New PF Farm Bill Biologist Hits Ground in Time for CRP Signup
Seventh Farm Bill Biologist in state working four-county area.
Lima, Ohio –-(Ammoland.com)- August 9, 2010 – Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever announce Ted Welsh of Lima, Ohio, as its new Farm Bill Biologist for Allen, Putnam, Paulding, Van Wert Counties.
Created in partnership with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and local Pheasants Forever chapters, the position will provide conservation and land-use consulting to area landowners – and just in time for the new Conservation Reserve Program general sign-up.
Pheasants Forever’s Farm Bill Biologist program is designed to provide technical assistance to farmers and ranchers – through one-on-one consulting – about the benefits of conservation programs (such as the Conservation Reserve Program), as well as assisting farmers and landowners through program implementation. Pheasants Forever first began employing Farm Bill Biologists in 2003 and now has more than 60 biologists working in 11 states – Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Farm Bill Biologists have contacted and consulted with over 35,000 landowners, resulting in the improvement of over 1.4 million acres of land for wildlife.
“As someone who is passionate about wildlife conservation and also knowledgeable about agriculture, I am looking forward to working with landowners on plans for their properties,” Welsh said. Welsh joins Pheasants Forever in time to serve landowners during the CRP general sign-up happening until August 27th.
“We’re excited about the location and timing of this position,” said Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist Coordinator, and a Marysville, Ohio, resident, “Welsh will provide a great service to landowners, and in doing so provides another great service to conservation.”
Prior to joining Pheasants Forever, Welsh worked as a charter boat captain at Sea Breeze Charter and also as a grounds man at Witts Orchard. Welsh earned his associates degree in fish and wildlife management from Hocking College and a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University. He will be based out the USDA Paulding Service Center, NRCS building, in Paulding and can be contacted at (419) 306-2675 and twelsh@pheasantsforever.org.
PF Ohio Farm Bill Biologists
- Clint Geldine Hancock, Hardin OH cgeldine@pheasantsforever.org (419) 356-1927
- Bill Kiser Fayette, Pickaway, Ross OH bkiser@pheasantsforever.org (937) 751-3518
- Erik Lewis Butler, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble OH elewis@pheasantsforever.org (937) 654-3884
- Brice Nemire Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Williams OH bnemire@pheasantsforever.org (419) 376-1340
- Mike Retterer Champaign, Clark, Logan, Madison, Union OH mretterer@pheasantsforever.org (937) 631-1064
- John Wallace Auglaize, Darke, Mercer, Shelby OH jwallace@pheasantsforever.org (937) 459-8085
For more information on Pheasants Forever in Ohio, visit www.ohiopf.com.
Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.