Ufferman retires from soil and water district

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Delaware County commissioners congratulated Larry Ufferman on his retirement, his 31 years of service and making the Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District one of the best in Ohio.

Ufferman is retiring as the district’s administrator.

“We have one of the best soil and water in the state of Ohio,” Ufferman said. “I’ve had several opportunities to work with those folks (state soil and water).”

Commissioner Barb Lewis said the soil and water conservation district has won many awards while Ufferman has been administrator.

The district has been recognized on three separate occasions as having a top soil and water conservation district program by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

The National Association of Conservation Districts has consistently ranked Delaware “superior” in the Goodyear SWCD awards program and was an “honors district” 16 years running.

In the 1980s during the county land use changes, Ufferman led the district with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ohio State University and Ohio Ag Research & Development Center to modernize the Delaware County soil survey to better meet the needs of local citizens and land use planners.

The Delaware district was one of the first in Ohio to produce a soil survey in digital format during Ufferman’s tenure.

Ufferman was the first in Ohio and the nation to publish the Delaware County soil survey on the local district’s website.

“I have the highest admiration for the job you do,” said Commissioner Gary Merrell. “There are quiet leaders and vocal leaders, and I find you a quiet leader but very effective leader.”

On the day Ufferman was congratulated by county commissioners, a group brought a complaint about poor drainage to the board. It was a coincidence they were there.

However, Ufferman did address the drainage issue with a little fun. “We’ll address any drainage concerns that people have to the best of our ability,” Ufferman said.

In his 31 years of service, Ufferman said he has worked with many boards of Delaware County commissioners.

“The board that sits here today is the best,” Ufferman said.

County commissioners reconvened their Thursday meeting in the field to consider the Thomas 9 Watershed drainage improvement in Radnor Township. County commissioners and Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District administrator Larry Ufferman look over a map of the area where the drainage needs to be improved. From left to right are Larry Ufferman, and Commissioners Barb Lewis, Gary Merrell and Jeff Benton.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/07/web1_DSC_3820F.jpgCounty commissioners reconvened their Thursday meeting in the field to consider the Thomas 9 Watershed drainage improvement in Radnor Township. County commissioners and Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District administrator Larry Ufferman look over a map of the area where the drainage needs to be improved. From left to right are Larry Ufferman, and Commissioners Barb Lewis, Gary Merrell and Jeff Benton. D. Anthony Botkin | The Gazette

By D. Anthony Botkin

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D. Anthony Botkin may be reached at 740-413-0902 or on Twitter @dabotkin.

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