The role of the Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District is to assist individual landowners, groups, and units of government with any natural resource concern that is brought before the District. This may take the form of technical advice, technical assistance, or finding a solution through another entity. Explore the menu choices below for more information about the district, our staff, services & programs.
The Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District was created on November 27, 1944, and is one of the 58 Soil and Water Conservation District located across New York State.
The District is governed by a Board of Directors who hold monthly meetings at the Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District office on every 3rd Wednesday at 9:00AM. The public is always invited to attend these meetings. The board is made up of representatives from the Grange, Farm Bureau, two County legislators, and an At-large member. The current Board of Directors is:
The District is committed to providing knowledge and technical assistance to the residents of Tioga County in the areas of soil, water, and other natural resource conservation issues.
The District can assist county landowners and municipalities with a host of natural resource conservation questions and issues. Email or call the office to get in contact with the staff member that can assist you.
Programs:
Services:
There is a fee for these listed services. Orders for the Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale are taken from January through mid-April when the stock is distributed, please see the page dedicated to this program in the main menu. Please contact the District office for details on these programs and current prices.
We have one open position currently. We are looking for Buffer Steward Interns for the 2025 summer monitoring season, please see details in the below job announcement!
Please submit a cover letter and resume to Heather Gulliford gullifordh@tiogacountyny.gov . Applicant review will continue until all positions are filled. We anticipate interviewing for positions in early March 2025, and filling all positions by April 2025. There are 2 positions open.
Here are some favorite moments from past seasons of our Buffer Steward Program!
Policy Statement – The Tioga County Soil & Water Conservation District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The District does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital status, pregnancy, application to or present membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, arrest or conviction record, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, domestic violence victim status, or any other protected class or status. Likewise, the District prohibits employees, vendors, suppliers, visitors, customers, and any other non-employee from discriminating against District employees based on these protected groups. Discrimination based on any of the above is strictly prohibited. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, compensation, promotion, transfer, training, leave of absence, and termination.
2025 Tree & Shrub Seedling Sale
Our 2025 Tree & Shrub order form is now available!
Orders are due April 1st
Our sale quantities had to be ordered in October 2024 based on previous two years sales and thus quantities are limited to what was ordered so availability of stock will change as time goes on. Please get orders with species quantities of 100 or more in before March 1st (the sooner the better!).
Orders are on a first come first served basis and payment is required at time of order to reserve stock. Orders can be dropped off in-person at our office or mailed with a check.
Please remember that we are cash or check only.
Order pickups will take place on April 18 & 19 at our office in a drive-thru style event.
Check the below order form for remaining species availability and call the office to confirm quantities before you drop off an order as we get closer to the deadline.
The Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Program is the foundation of our work with the ag community in the county. The program provides the framework and technical assistance needed to move through the grant programs at no cost to the farm. Additionally, it supports staff time for partnership, outreach and education activities. We participate in Tioga County's Agricultural Resource Group (ARG) and Water Quality Coordinating Committee (WQCC) as well as work with other partners to bring resources, programming and workshops to Tioga County farmers. You can find our team hosting educational activities at the annual Sundaes at the Farm Event and the Tioga County Fair. If you are a farm interested in working through the program, you can contact either Danielle Singer or Heather Gulliford in our office to get started or pick up where you worked with us last!
What to Expect...
The AEM Program is free, voluntary and confidential. We will work with your farm to find the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that fit your operation's goals and walk you through the implementation process. If grant funds are needed and the project is eligible, we will assist you with that as well. The AEM program uses a 5 tiered approach that allows our team to address priority areas on the farm and circle back to other areas as needs, interest and situations change.
We have partnered with the Upper Susquehanna Coalition on a cover crop initiative to create a program that all Tioga County farmers have access to.
What are Cover Crops?
Cover crops are used after row crops are harvested or in between harvest and re-planting to promote general soil health in agricultural lands.
Why plant Cover Crops?
Cover crops are being used on farms in our region to minimize erosion, maximize nutrient uptake in the fall, improve soil health, and increase organic matter and field trafficability. As fertilizer prices continue to increase and producers aim to reduce N loss to the environment, they are asking about the nitrogen (N) benefits of cover crops for corn silage systems.
Soil health is important as it means less erosion, less compaction, greater nutrient cycling, increased microbial activity and improved water infiltration into the soil, improving overall water quality. Cover crops can also contribute to weed suppression and interruption of pest cycles, while attracting beneficial insects.
Another added benefit is that when the cover crop “season” is over, crops can be harvested and used as additional forage.
What is the Program?
Farms sign-up to be reimbursed for each acre of cover crop they plant at the specified rates.
Farmers can contact Danielle Singer in our office to find out more and sign up for the program.
We are one of the many partners that make up the Tioga County Agricultural Resource Group (ARG). See our documents below to learn more about the group, find resources and see local ag news!
Check out our Tioga County Dairy Tails series and visit different dairy farms throughout Tioga County!
Contact Heather Gulliford in our office to learn more about our tree and shrub planting programs! We have funding to support Riparian Forested Buffers and Upland Forest Plantings that create habitat, diversify species, re-forest and buffer run-off water.
The Water Quality Coordinating Committee was established to help protect and conserve the water resources of Tioga County. To achieve this goal the committee uses the expertise and knowledge of its agencies as well as other local, state, and federal cooperating agencies.
Participating Agencies and Organizations -
All Prices Include Applicable Taxes
The Southern Tier Regional Envirothon includes Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Tioga and Tompkins Counties.
Envirothon is an outdoor competition that gives high school students the opportunity to utilize problem solving skills, teamwork and knowledge to complete tests in 5 categories: Soils, Forestry, Wildlife, Aquatics and Current Issues.
cultivate a desire to learn more about our natural environment through competitive events,
develop a greater appreciation for our dependence on the natural environment, and
provide students with experience in environmentally oriented activities to enable them to become environmentally aware, action-oriented adults.
the effects individual actions have on environmental problems, either positive or negative,
the interactions and interdependencies of our total environment,
current environmental problems, and
local resource and cooperating agencies available to assist them in environmental matters.
The winning team from each county participating in the Southern Tier Regional Envirothon will enter the statewide competition, and if that team is successful they will enter the National finals. Awards are given for first, second and third of each county and then first, second and third for all of the participating teams in the Southern Tier Regional Event.
Students in grade levels 9 through 12 may participate. Student teams may be formed from a high school, BOCES, 4-H club, FFA club, members of sovereign Native American Nations schools, home schools, or any other sanctioned local, regional, state or nationally recognized club that sponsors youth in grades 9-12. All team members must represent the same education unit.
For more information or to sign up, contact Alex Marks in our office.
Check out or most recent annual report and newsletter!
