Board Meetings

Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 8:15 am. Meetings are open to the public.

Please call (231) 861-5600 for details on how to join a meeting.

2026 Schedule of Board Meetings

• January 14

• February 11

• March 11

• April 8

• May 13

• June 10

• July 8

• August 12

• September 9

• October 14

• November 11

• December 9

Candidate Bios

MARY SHEPPARD

Mary graduated from MSU in 2013 with a B.S. in Crop and Soil Science. After graduation, she began working at Ceres Co-Op in Hart as a Certified Crop Advisor where she was employed until the fall of 2020. Mary then accepted a job as Field Manager for Golden Stock Farms in Mears, a 1,000-acre farm growing corn, soybeans and small grains but focusing mainly on asparagus. In her free time, she enjoys almost any outdoor activity including cross country skiing, fishing, kayaking and backpacking. She has a personal goal to hike all 1,200 miles of the North Country Scenic Trail in Michigan. Mary is a board member and the membership captain of the Oceana County Farm Bureau and a board member of the West Shore Community College Agriscience program. In the Agriscience program, her team helps the coordinators develop curriculum and connect students with industry representatives. “I believe I would be an excellent board member for the Oceana Conservation District because I am in a unique position to bridge the gap that often occurs between agriculture and natural resources.” In her time at the Co-Op, Mary ran an irrigation monitoring program to track water in the soil profile and irrigate more efficiently to reduce runoff. She also has five years of experience running a soil nitrogen monitoring program which involved pulling extensive soil and tissue samples to help growers better monitor and understand their soil nitrogen cycles from manure, fertilizer, and soil organic matter. She has long been an avid supporter of cover crops and has given multiple hands-on presentations on MAEAP farm tours about the benefits and practicality of specific cover crops. “My passion for agriculture and for natural resources runs deep and I want to make sure both are successful and well preserved for future generations.”

DENNY PAYNE

Denny Payne, 68, is running for his 3rd term on the OCCD board. He has been a  life long resident of Oceana County, and a farmer and nature lover throughout his life. Denny is now a hobby farmer, raising pigs and six spoiled chickens, and enjoys watching the deer roam his backyard as well as the many birds at the feeders. He also loves cooking, cutting wood, and sitting by the wood stove, especially this winter!Denny has a wonderful daughter and son, and four grandchildren that he also loves to spoil. He is dedicated to the conservancy of our area and working with the excellent staff at the conservation office. He has been especially active with the tree sale program, Hazardous Waste Day, and maintenance of our district parks. Denny connects well with the many people he meets, siting the need for more volunteers, and is always working to bring new people into the program, including friends and family. He also believes educating our children about conservation is crucial. “It’s like planting seeds for the future, and it’s one of the best things we can do.”

FOIA REQUESTS

Oceana Conservation District will ensure that all persons are granted full and complete information regarding the affairs of the Oceana Conservation District as provided by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Public Act 442 of 1976.