Editor’s Note: The NKyTribune is offering one free op-ed posting from NKY candidates in major races in which there is opposition for the November 3 General Election. All candidates may send op-ed’s of 1000 words or less to be published before November 1. The commentary should be positive about the candidate and his/her positions. Candidates are asked not to wait until the last minute — submissions will be published in the order in which they are received.
I am a first-time candidate seeking election to the Campbell County Conservation District to serve as one of seven elected board members. I promise to serve our county by bringing pragmatic leadership, passion for natural sciences, and relevant experience to the board to build upon the district’s strong legacy.
I have lived in Campbell County for six years and have had the pleasure of living in towns like Newport, Bellevue, and Dayton. Our county offers vibrant living from river walks on the state border to local wineries in California, KY.
While I was not born here, Campbell County is my home. It is where I met my wife Kate, where we will have our family, and I want to give back to this community for how much it has blessed our lives.
The conservation district serves our entire county whether you are raising cattle on 20 acres or establishing a pollinator garden on your 0.1 acre lot. Not all residents are aware of the district, but it has incentive programs and a wealth of knowledge to help any of us build deeper conservation practices in our neighborhoods. I believe this office can have an even greater impact on our community while maintaining a lean, transparent budget. I am asking for your consideration and vote for John “PJ” Smith this November.
Farmer Success
My first motivation for this office is a desire to see farmers across our county succeed. I have worked in the agricultural industry for a decade as a Product Manager focused on natural probiotics for plants and I have had the privilege to travel across the country to learn from row crop growers. I think most readers would acknowledge that farming is a tough job, but what I do not think people appreciate are the forces up against producers.
Input costs such as seed, feed, fuel, fertilizer, and crop protection, seem to increase every year while commodity prices for the food farmers grow have either decreased or remained flat. That is not a recipe for success for the balance sheet. Throw in an unforeseen event, like extreme heat or flooding, and our neighbors can be left wondering how much longer they can keep their farm in business.
In tough economic times, conversation practices might seem like an afterthought. However, in my experience farmers pride themselves on being stewards of the land and have a desire to pass down a healthy farm to the next generation. Often the barriers to implementing conservation practices are resources or knowledge. The Campbell County Conservation District has several cost-share and grant programs available to growers in the county to implement conservation practices, as well information sharing between local extension, state-wide grants, and access to national programs such as the encourage growers across the county to engage with the Conservation District and take advantage of the programs the current board of supervisors and district staff have established. If elected, I promise to listen to local growers first, identify impactful ways to help broaden conservation agriculture, and support implementation of those projects if there is a fit.
Protecting Native Wildlife
Another reason I wish to serve Campbell County on this board is my respect for the natural world and desire to protect native species and wildlife of Northern Kentucky. Our natural history has given us beautiful flora like the white oak, milkweed, and coneflower that provide homes and food for our Viceroy butterflies, bluebirds, and Peregrine falcon.
Our waterways house dozens of native mollusks that filter our water. We are even home to the Bald Eagle, the universal symbol of American freedom and independence. If we can find spaces to establish native ecology and protect it from threats, nature will have the space to thrive. By protecting our native species now, we will be honoring the natural heritage our ancestors enjoyed while preserving them for future generations to live with.
Invasive Removal
While I am amazed by the natural beauty we are surrounded by, I am deeply concerned by emerging threats to its existence. We have too many invasive species appearing across our county that are taking over both urban and wild spaces. Plants like honeysuckle and Bradford pear are crowding out native plants from our ecosystem. Tree of Heaven has also taken root across the county and it is the perfect host for our newest pest, the Spotted Lantern Fly. These flies will continue to replicate across our community, and they could be disastrous to local vineyards if we do nothing. None of these invasives will go away naturally if we do not intervene. I believe the Conservation District can play a leadership role across the county to remove invasive threats and replace them with native plants.
Contact Details
If anyone would like to learn more about this campaign, please visit www.pj4soilwater.com or email me at info@pjsmith4soilwater.com. You can also follow on Facebook or Instagram at: @PJ4SoilWater
PJ Smith is a candidate for the Campbell County Conservation District.