2021 Annual Conservation Tour
Celebrating 50 Years
Wednesday, October 13 from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Participants are encouraged to carpool to the locations where possible following safe practices in regards to COVID 19.
Tour Agenda
8:30am Registration at NKU REFS/St. Anne Wetlands
99 Harrison Avenue, Melbourne, KY 41059
Welcome by Campbell County Conservation District and explanation of how the St. Anne wetlands came to be acquired by the District.
9:00 am
Tour of NKU REFS (Research and Education Field Station) and a walk through of the wetlands to discuss research projects with NKU Professor Dr. Richard Durtsche
10:15am Casson and Ahrman Farm
661 Kenton Station Road, Alexandria, KY 41001 — Alan Ahrman will describe best management practices in place through funds from NRCS, the Conservation District through the state cost share program, and CAIP (County Agricultural Investment Program) with funds from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund for his cow/calf operation. He also has an interesting video monitoring system in place to view calving from his phone from any location. Alan was our 2019 Cooperator of the Year.
11:00am Seven Wells Vineyard
1223 Siry Road, Grants Lick (California), KY 41007 — Tour of Seven Wells Vineyard and Winery as well as their tasting room along with a bottling demonstration. The tasting room overlooks the vineyard and a beautiful pond. Grape varieties include Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Traminette, Dornfelder, and Noiret.
11:30am Lunch at Seven Wells from Empress Chili
12:45pm Newport Aquarium Tour and Keynote Speaker
Newport Aquarium 1 Levee Way, Newport, KY 41071 — Tour of the aquarium with Scott Wingate, Executive Director with the WAVE Foundation. The WAVE Foundation, in partnership with the Newport Aquarium, strives to excite, engage and educate the community about the wonders of aquatic life and the importance of conservation.
We will close the day out with a keynote address from Dave Brandt to celebrate 50 years of the RCC. Dave Brandt is a central Ohio farmer who has utilized no till practices for 50 years and cover crops for over 40 years.
Please note: $10 registration fee includes a boxed lunch
Thank you to our 2021 Annual Conservation Tour Host
What is the Conservation Tour?
County conservation districts of the OKI Regional Conservation Council take turns sponsoring the Annual Conservation Tour. This event offers narrated visits to well-planned and wisely managed places that demonstrate successful conservation practices. In the late summer or fall, Annual Tour patrons have visited gardens, croplands, orchards, vineyards, pastures, hayfields, green houses, dairy barns, pig pens, chicken coops, parks, fairgrounds, nature preserves, ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, a river boat, canoes, historical sites, field research facilities, woodlands, wastewater treatment plants, small businesses, farmers’ markets, construction sites, and food processing industries throughout the Tri-State.
While show-and-tell education is the primary goal, the Annual Conservation Tour is not above enjoying a tasty lunch or identifying large cylindrical hay bales as “cow cocoons.” It’s easy to strike up conversations and take photos while seeing a bit of our world on the Annual Tour. A modest registration fee may apply to tours that rely on charter bus service.
Browse the gallery below to see where we’ve been.
