Board of Directors

District Board Meeting Minutes - click here

Meet Our Directors - click here

John Wright - Chairman, Assistant Treasurer

Paula DeBlock - Vice-Chairwoman, Treasurer
Email: pduhblock@hotmail.com

George Constable - Director

Paul Ruszkiewicz - Director
pruszkiewicz@orangecountygov.com

Kathy Stegenga - Director
kstegenga@orangecountygov.com

The Board meets the 3rd Monday of every month at the SWCD office at 9:00 AM.

Wright Receives Award for Service
to Orange County Agriculture

On March 9, 2021, John Wright of Warwick, NY was recognized by the New York State Conservation District Employee’s Association (NYSCDEA) for 18 years of service assisting farmers and protecting the environment in Orange County.

Wright is the owner of Wright Family Farm where he and his family raise beef, hay, pumpkins and offer other ‘agri-tainment’ activities such as corn mazes and hosting school groups for educational field trips.

NYSCDEA represents the 57 County Conservation Districts of New York State. Each year, they recognize through an annual awards program outstanding individuals and projects in a number of categories. Mr. Wright was recognized in the Conservation District Director category. He has served on the Board of Directors of Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District (OCSWCD) since 2003, and has led the District as Chairman since 2013. Over this time period, he has worked to improve employee salaries and benefits, advocated vigorously for programs and funding that directly assists farmers, and as Chairman has ensured that Board meetings are professional, cordial and effective.

Significant accomplishments of the District since Wright took over as Chairman include a multi-million dollar flood mitigation initiative in the County’s Black Dirt farming region, and the collection of over 30,000 waste tires from Orange County farms at no cost to the farmers.