The Harford Soil Conservation District selected junior Ella Campbell to be a student associate.

Ella found out about the position of student associate from the Weekly Update email. She had to submit an application that included having to answer questions and write an essay about her reflection on the district’s mission statement.

After applying, she received an email stating that the board was going to meet to appoint the spot to someone. A few days later, she received an email telling her that she got the position.

As a student associate, Ella attends monthly board meetings, and over her eight-month term, she will have opportunities to go on field visits.

Ella has always enjoyed the environment since she was little, especially in the local area.

Ella said, “My dad played a huge role. Being around my dad’s love for farming, gardening, and beekeeping sparked my interest at a young age. . . This position has furthered my love and interest in the environment and this field of science.”

She would like to continue her education in this subject in college and hopes to pursue a career in it.

The Harford Soil Conservation District is a government sector that provides the county with land management assistance while promoting an array of best management practices to protect natural resources within the county. They want to educate students, farmers, developers, and landowners on soil erosion and water quality improvement efforts.

The Harford Soil Conservation District is located and focused in Harford County. The district is responsible for reviewing erosion and sediment control plans required for all county residential and development projects. They review and approve the Forest Harvest plans as well.

A key function of the district’s technical staff is to protect the Chesapeake Bay. By partnering with different organizations, they help identify, design, and build to reduce erosion.

The district does this by using grant funding to install stream fencing, waste storage structures, gutters on farm buildings, and other items to preserve and protect numerous Harford Country crop fields and pastures.

The Harford County Soil Conservation District is also a sponsor of the Harford County Envirothon.

Envirothon is a program for high school students to learn and compete about the environment.