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  • About
    • History & Overview
    • Who We Are
    • Strategic Plan
    • The Mission & Vision
    • Get Involved
    • Newsletters
    • Contact Us
  • Events
    • Event Calendar
    • Insects on Small Farms
    • 2025 Native Plant Fest
    • Native Tree & Shrub Sale
    • Native Plant Sale
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    • Conservation Education
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    • Submit SWPPPs
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Staff

Kris Gertz

Kris Gertz

Robert Suseland

Kris Gertz

District Administrator


765-474-9992, Ext. 4001

kgertz@tippecanoe.in.gov

Mike Smith

Mike Smith

Robert Suseland

Kris Gertz

Conservation Ag Specialist


765-474-9992, Ext. 4006
mjsmith@tippecanoe.in.gov

Robert Suseland

Robert Suseland

Robert Suseland

Robert Suseland

Habitat Specialist


764-474-9992, Ext. 4008

rsuseland@tippecanoe.in.gov

Sarah Vaughn

Sarah Vaughn

Robert Suseland

Robert Suseland

NRCS District Conservationist


765-474-9992, Ext. 4005
Sarah.Vaughn@usda.gov

Field of soybeans

Lafayette USDA Service Center

1812 Troxel Dr.

Lafayette, IN 47909


Tippecanoe Soil and Water Conservation District 

&

Natural Resources Conservation Service

765-474-9992, Ext. 3


Farm Service Agency

765-474-9992, Ext. 2 


Soil.Water@Tippecanoe.IN.gov

Additional Information

Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) adhere to the Open Door Law which was enacted in 1977 to permit the citizens of Indiana access to meetings held by public agencies. Meeting notifications are posted at the SWCD office at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting and include the date, time, location and topics to be discussed.


The Soil and Water Conservation District board (consisting of five supervisors) meet regularly on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at the USDA Service Center, 1812 Troxel Drive, Lafayette, Indiana. To conduct official business, at least three supervisors (constituting a quorum), must be present at the meeting. Only members of the governing body may make motions and vote on motions before the board; however, this does not preclude associates and staff from providing input on issues being discussed.
Regular monthly board meetings follow an agenda which tracks progress of planned goals and actions specific to the SWCD’s strategic plan. The agenda also include minutes from the previous meeting, a financial report, discussion of upcoming events, provision of staff reports, signing of financial claims and a review of conservation plans as needed. 

Grass and marshy land

SWCD Board of Supervisors

SWCD Board of Supervisors

SWCD Board of Supervisors

The official governing body of the Soil and Water Conservation District consists of 5 supervisors. Three are elected (one each year for a three-year term) at an annual meeting of land occupiers held in January, February, or March. Two are appointed (also for  staggered three-year terms) by the State Soil Conservation Board based upon recommendations of the leadership in the district. Individually, Soil and Water Conservation District board members are responsible for the following:


  • To attend or actively participate in all board meetings.
  • To come to meetings prepared.
  • To carry out assigned responsibilities.
  • To stay informed of local conservation issues.
  • To attend area and state meetings of the state association.
  • To participate in training opportunities.
  • To promote the district's work to local landowners, agencies and organizations, and legislators.
  • To identify local conservation needs and work to meet them within the limits of its resources.
  • To keep the conservation district mission in focus.


Collectively, board members have the responsibility to work together as a unit to plan oversee implementation of their district's programs. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a board member, please feel free to contact any of our current supervisors.

Board of Supervisors

SWCD Board of Supervisors

SWCD Board of Supervisors

Chairperson

Mark Eastman, West Lafayette, IN 

Elected Term Expires: 2026 

Email Address: Mark-Eastman@comcast.net


Vice Chair

Melody Clouser, West Point, IN

Appointed Term Expires: 2027 

Email Address: clousercrop@gmail.com  


Supervisor

Doug Osborn, Lafayette, IN

Elected Term Expires: 2025

Email Address: tgosborn@hotmail.com


Supervisor

Deb Grady-Ruth, Battleground, IN 

Appointed Term Expires: 2026

Email Address: debgruth@yahoo.com


Supervisor

Steve Kerkhove, Northwest Tippecanoe County

Elected Term Expires: 2027

Email:stevekerkhove@yahoo.com


SWCD Board Meetings are typically held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 am. Please contact the office prior to attending to confirm that the meeting will be held that month. Please note that some meetings are held virtually.

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1812 Troxel Drive, Lafayette, Indiana 47909, United States

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