Meet Our Conservation Team
If you are interested in becoming a member on the Pike Soil & Water Conservation Districts Board of Directors you can receive more information by contacting the office at 740-947-5353.
District Administrator
Darlene Brewster
Darlene was born and raised in western Pike County. She and husband, Joe, reside on their family's hay and cattle farm in Newton Twp. Darlene's natural love of the outdoors and wildlife drew her to the field of conservation. She enjoys working with the youth in the community to bring awareness to the importance of our natural resources. She brings to the district a strong agricultural background, and an eagerness to serve her community. Darlene has worked in public service and for the Pike Soil and Water Conservation District for 28 years.
Agriculture Specialist
Cris Sprague
Cris Sprague was raised on a cattle and crop farm in Southeastern Ohio. Growing up, he was involved in 4-H as well as FFA where he served as State Treasurer. Cris graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s in Animal Science. Cris has been involved with the Ag industry in all his previous jobs with stops at the University of Findlay and most recently Maplecrest farms in Hillsboro, Ohio. He and his wife Megan, along with their son Griffin now reside in Western Pike county. Growing up on the hills of Washington county showed him the importance of conservation and how we need to be good stewards of the land. Cris is looking forward to getting out into the community and becoming a resource for producers and landowners. In his spare time, Cris enjoys being around family and tinkering is his garage.
Education & Outreach Coordinator
Dana Wiseman
​Dana Wiseman was born and raised in neighboring Jackson County. She has 20 years of classroom experience and has given hundreds of public presentations on various scientific and conservation-related topics. Dana has always been fascinated with the natural world, and her passion is to instill that sense of wonder in everyone she encounters. She is looking forward to working with the community to provide resources and education so that they, too, can better appreciate and utilize the natural resources that are so abundant in Pike County.
Chair
Carla Buckler
Carla is a lifetime resident of Pike County. She and husband, Denny reside on their family farm in Sunfish Township. The couple have three children, Jennifer, Jonathon and Jordan. Carla is employed with Mid-America Conservation Services as an Administrative Assistant.
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Secretary/Treasurer
Mike Milam
Mike lives on his 85 acre Zahn's Corner farm. Mike has three adult children David, Dennis and Amy. Mike worked thirty-seven years as a Chemical Engineer and Manager at the Atomic Plant in Piketon, Ohio. The Milam's farm consists of pasture and woodland with acres being set aside for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). He is a 25-year member of the Piketon's Lions Club and a 50-year member of the Waverly Presbyterian Church where he serves as Assistant Treasurer and Bookkeeper. Mike has served on the Pike SWCD Board for eight years.
Vice Chair
Julie Evans
​ Julie is a lifelong resident of Pike County and has a passion for nature! She is employed by Ohio State University Extension office in Pike County and has assisted in cooperative programming with the Pike Soil & Water Conservation District for many years. Julie Graduated from Morehead State University with a degree in biological and related sciences. In her spare time, Julie enjoys birdwatching, biblical scholarship and genealogy research with her grown daughter, Taylor.
Memeber
Tony Rittenhouse
Tony is a lifelong resident of Pike County and the owner of Rittenhouse Farm, a heritage property, located in Pebble Township. He is actively restoring the farm focusing on soil health and long-term sustainability. Tony’s been working hands-on to improve the land through composting, cover cropping, and rebuilding soil structure in challenging conditions. The process has given him a deep respect for how critical healthy soil and water systems are, not just for farming, but for the strength of the entire community.
Tony brings a perspective that blends hands-on experience, business ownership, and strong commitment to Pike County. He wants to be actively involved in supporting conservation efforts that are both effective and grounded in real-world application.
Our
Story
The History of the Pike Soil and Water Conservation District
During the 1930's, the United States faced one of the greatest environmental disasters in its history. The combination of the Great Depression, prolonged drought, extreme heat, and poor farming practices led to the devastating Dust Bowl. Massive dust storms swept eastward from the Great Plains to the Atlantic Ocean, darkening skies and depositing layers of soil across the country.
The Dust Bowl highlighted the urgent need for responsible land stewardship and sparked nationwide support for soil and water conservation. As a result, Congress took action to promote conservation efforts, leading to the establishment of Soil and Water Conservation Districts throughout the United States.
On January 26, 1949, the Pike Soil and Water Conservation District (Pike SWCD) became the 71st Soil and Water Conservation District organized in Ohio, marking the beginning of a long-standing commitment to protecting Pike County's natural resources.
Pike SWCD is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio dedicated to conserving and improving the county's soil, water, and other natural resources. The District is governed by a five-member Board elected by Pike County landowners and occupiers. Supervisors serve three-year terms and volunteer their time without compensation.
Funding for the District is provided through the Pike County Board of Commissioners, with matching support from the Ohio Department of Agriculture through the Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
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