Porteus steps down after 27 years of volunteering
COSHOCTON – Knox Porteus has been a member of the Coshocton Soil and Water Conservation District board for 27 years and is stepping down from his position. Porteus has worked approximately 2,063 hours as a volunteer, the equivalent of working at a regular job for almost a year. While he does receive reimbursement for travel expenses, Porteus has donated his time on the board.
“We going to miss his guidance on the board,” said Deb Bigelow, district administrator. “Sometimes in meetings, it looks like he’s not paying attention, but he really is. You need to have your homework done when you present your project to Knox because he’ll ask you a lot of questions, which is good because it makes you work harder.”
Porteus is a full-time farmer and ran for the board in 1987 when a friend asked him to. Previous to being a board member, he had been working with Coshocton Soil and Water on various projects.
“I’ve just enjoyed the people who work here and helping area farmers and other people who do conservation plans,” said Porteus. “It’s all business, but it’s enjoyable.”
Five community members volunteer on the board and their job is to lead programs, hire staff, and develop program policies, among other activities.
In the future, Porteus plans to keep on farming and working with the Coshocton Soil and Water Conservation District.
“He’s certainly given us the best of what we could ask for,” said Bigelow.
To learn more about the Coshocton Soil and Water Conservation District, visit their website at coshoctoncounty.net/agency/swcd/.
beth@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: People & Places
