🌱 Brett Yarris Unanimously Appointed to Soil & Water Board
New Soil and Water Board Members Brett Yarris and Cassandra Roth with Legislator Nancy Montgomery
Unanimous and Bipartisan
I'm honored to have been unanimously and bipartisanly appointed to the Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation Board—with support and kind words from legislators across the aisle.
This role allows me to continue fighting for environmental protection, farmland preservation, and smart local policy from inside one of the county’s most important boards. It’s an appointment rooted in years of advocacy—and a responsibility I take seriously.
Feature Story
Legislature Ends “Ag Drought” in Landmark Farm Approvals
Members of the Putnam County Legislature and Soil and Water Board with owners of Ridge Ranch
For years, family farms in Putnam County have faced denial after denial when applying for the Agricultural District—even when recommended by the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board.
That changed this month.
The Legislature unanimously approved eight local farms for inclusion, marking a turning point after sustained public pressure and advocacy. I was proud to speak at the meeting, urging legislators to follow the board’s recommendations—and this time, they did.
New Training Facility
Reopening the Neuner Training Center: Vital — But Part of Bigger Crisis
Putnam County’s Brand New Lt. Michael Neuner Fire & EMS Training Center has officially reopened—and it’s a major win for our first responders. But behind the ribbon-cutting lies a deeper issue: volunteerism is on the decline, threatening the future of emergency services across our region.
This piece explores why the center matters, how we got here, and what we must do next to recruit, retain, and respect the volunteers who protect us every day.
A Final Note
We Can Be Better
“The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.”
Until next time,
For Us. For The People.