SWCD Annual Meeting

Annual Meeting

Thursday, February 19th | 11am-2pm
The Bicenteniall Pavilion at The Silos (the fairgrounds) | 2003 Pleasant St. Noblesville, IN 46060

Save your seat and join Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District for our 2026 Annual Meeting—a chance to connect, learn, and help shape the future of conservation in our county.

We’ll share highlights from 2025 SWCD programs and impact, hold a required board supervisor election, and enjoy lunch together. The program will also feature a keynote discussion on water availability in Hamilton County, exploring how local concerns have influenced broader, statewide planning conversations, followed by a Q&A with regional experts.

Attendees will also hear a short presentation on regenerative agriculture and edge-of-field drainage projects, highlighting practical approaches to improving water quality and soil health on working lands.

Registration Closes Friday, February 13th. Learn more about the election process and candidates in the Election Information tabs below. Contact us with questions: 317-773-2181

RSVP here

Water Availability: Local Action, Statewide Impact

Mark Heirbrandt, Hamilton County Commissioner, will discuss how early concerns about water availability in Hamilton County led to deeper local investigation, regional collaboration, and growing attention at the state level. His remarks will trace the origin of these concerns, the steps taken by county leadership, and how those efforts are shaping long-term conversations about water availability in Indiana.

Election Information

Election information

Election information:
The official governing body of a district consists of five supervisors. Three supervisors are elected (one each year for a three-year term) at a district annual meeting 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 current supervisors in the district. Thus, the selection of all five supervisors is based on input and election from the local people they serve.

Before officially holding a position, supervisors are required to subscribe to a standard public oath of office by which they commit to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Indiana, and to faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Supervisor.

The term of office for the elected supervisor position is three years. To hold the position of elected supervisor an individual: (1) must be an occupier of a tract of land that is located within the district; (2) must maintain the individual's permanent residence within the district; and (3) must be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties that this article imposes on supervisors.

One elected supervisor position is open in 2026. Individuals interested in filling that position were invited to submit their names for inclusion on the ballot. Nominations from the floor are also welcome. If only one (1) candidate is nominated, the election may be conducted by acclamation. If more than one (1) candidate is nominated, we will distribute a ballot to each Hamilton County land occupier present at the meeting for an opportunity to vote. You can learn more about what to expect at the meeting in the tab below.

More information about the election process and requirements is available from the Indiana Department of Agriculture here.

What to expect (voting process)

What to expect from the SWCD Supervisor voting process:

The SWCD Supervisor voting process is less formal than a traditional "vote" on an election day. All Hamilton County land occupiers (people who live in the county) present at the Annual Meeting are welcome to vote. You do not need to be registered to vote or show any identification. In the election portion of the meeting, a short description of the election process will be given and nominations from the floor will be accepted. There will be an introduction of each candidate.

If there are multiple candidates, a paper ballot will be distributed by SWCD staff to individuals at each table. Attendees are welcome to mark their ballot sitting at their table. The ballots will be collected and counted in the room in the real time by SWCD and/or Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) staff. The winner will be announced at the meeting and will take the Oath of Office, starting their service as an SWCD Supervisor.

*The election will take place at approximately 1:30pm. We may be running slightly ahead or behind schedule. You do not need to attend the entire meeting to vote but we hope you will! You are not required to RSVP if you are just coming to vote, but if you intend to join us for the full meeting and enjoy a free lunch, please RSVP.

If there is one candidate, paper ballots will not be distributed. The chairman will ask for a motion to vote by acclamation. If received, meeting attendees will vote by simple acclamation or raise of hands.

Candidate bios

Indiana Code 14-32-4 To hold the position of elected supervisor, an individual: (1) must be an occupier of a tract of land that is located within the district; (2) must maintain the individual's permanent residence within the district; and (3) must be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties that this article imposes on supervisors.

Crystal Neumann
Crystal holds a Doctorate in Business Administration. She also completed a graduate certificate in Corporate Sustainability from Cornell and previously served as a Fishers City Councilor, where sustainability was one of her core policy platforms. In addition, she helped build and launch a Master of Science program in Sustainable Management, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to environmental stewardship, resource management, and organizational sustainability. Her professional experience includes research/publications, curriculum development, and community-centered initiatives that emphasize long-term ecological resilience and responsible land use.

From Crystal:
"I am deeply committed to advancing sustainable land management, soil health, and water conservation practices within our local community. Much of my academic, civic, and professional work centers on building systems that balance economic, environmental, and social impact. I am passionate about helping residents and organizations adopt practices that support long-term ecological resilience, reduce environmental impact, and preserve natural resources for future generations. Serving on the SWCD Board would allow me to use my training, experience, and community leadership background to support responsible stewardship and contribute meaningfully to conservation initiatives across Hamilton County."