Portage County Shepherds awarded for conservation efforts

Submitted by Lynn Vogel, Portage Soil & Water Conservation District

The Portage County Shepherds 4-H group was presented with a conservation award at the 2026 Portage County Randolph Fair. For a decade, the Portage County Shepherds have conducted an annual litter cleanup at Mogadore Reservoir. Partnering with the Portage Soil & Water Conservation District, the club targets specific zones assigned by Akron Water Resources staff. In the early years, 4-H members hauled away heavy, illegally dumped debris like tires, vehicle parts such as bumpers and grills, etc. However, as the group systematically cleared the main dumping sites, those large items have become increasingly rare.