PAID ADVERTISEMENT KANDIYOHI SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT SWCD New Year New Office 1001 High Ave NE Willmar, MN 56201 Phone: (320) - 403-4350 www.kandiyohiswcd.org New Address and Phone Number NEWSLETTER Open House: April 1st, 10am - 5pm Kandiyohi SWCD Board Supervisors: Brandon Smith: Chairman, District 5 Steve Friedlein: Vice Chairman, District 1 Donnel Williamson: Secretary, District 2 Jeff Martinka: Treasurer, District 3 Jane Youngkrantz: Public Relations and Information, District 4 Kandiyohi SWCD Staff: Margaret Johnson, District Manager Ryan Peterson, District Technical Coordinator Ellie Faber, Conservation Technician Brittany Lenzmeier, Agriculture Coordinator Sandy Laumer, Office & Finance Manager Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Staff: (320)-235-3540 ext. 3 Melanie Dickman, CST Lead District Conservationist Rick Gronseth, Civil Engineer Technician William Lee, District Conservationist Ethan Collins, Soil Conservationist Hannah Walsh, Soil Conservationist Pheasants Forever: Aaron Wilson, Senior Farm Bill Biologist Meet our New Board Supervisor! Jeff Martinka has lived in Kandiyohi County for most of his life and is an outdoor recreation enthusiast. Whether it's skiing or fishing on one of our local lakes in the summer, enjoying a round of golf at one of our courses, or chasing game animals like deer and pheasants in the fall, he loves spending time enjoying the outdoors. In addition, Jeff is married with two young daughters, and he's passionate about teaching them to love and respect our natural world. He believes that the conservation and protection of our lands and waterways is of vital importance to future generations. We protect what we love, and he loves virtually every part of the outdoor world. A favorite quote from Wisconsin conservationist Doug Duren is "It's not ours, it's just our turn." We should always strive to leave the landscapes that we inhabit and use in a better condition when we leave, than when we arrived. Jeff will be the supervisor for District 3, which covers the townships of Willmar, Green Lake, Kandiyohi, and Fahlun. SWCD Events & Happenings: 2025 February 6th: Tree Open House March 25th: Irrigation Clinic (Spicer American Legion) April 1st: New Office Open House (10am - 5pm) April 4th & 5th The Home & Outdoor Living Expo April 12th: Earth Day (PWELC) April 26: Healthy Earth, Healthy Kids "Visit www.kandiyohiswcd.org for event details f As organizations grow and evolve, so too must you already know the location. Moving to this their operational strategies, including their new office space will increase operational physical locations. For this reason, it was time efficiency and enhance productivity; hopefully for the Kandiyohi SWCD to move out of the inspiring more individuals in Kandiyohi County to USDA service center location and into a new adopt and implement conservation practices. office space. Construction began in August 2024 Our mission of assisting landowners in the to add an office space onto the existing storage implementation of best management practices shed located next to our previous office location. has not changed, we will still strive to set the If you have picked up trees from us in the past, standard for county responsibility in environmental stewardship. We must also pause to express our appreciation to the County Commissioners and residents of Kandiyohi County that made this expansion possible. Through collaboration and a shared commitment to serving the needs of our community, along with the collective efforts of our past Board Supervisors and the unwavering support of our current Board Supervisors we have been able to achieve remarkable progress, like this new office, which will help make a lasting impact for the land, water, and people of our County. Stop by on April 1st, 10am - 5pm, for an open house. Enjoy some refreshments and chat with staff about potential project ideas. We hope you can join us. Kandiyohi County 2024's Outstanding Conservationist The Kandiyohi Soil and Water Conservation District is pleased to announce its selection for 2024 Outstanding Conservationists, Linda Peterson and the late Al DeRuyter of Sunburg, MN. The SWCD first came to know Al & Linda in 2008 when they purchased the DeRuyter family. farm. From the beginning Al and Linda had a broad vision for their farm that included increasing soil productivity. crop diversity, quality habitat, and more wildlife. Their first action of conservation was to stop the soil erosion that was occurring. Previous farming practices had led to severe erosion and soil loss in sensitive areas. Al and Linda wasted time establishing a water and sediment control basin, along with a 450-foot-long grassed waterway to remediate gully erosion. After the major erosion issues had been addressed, they turned their attention to habitat and wildlife. Their first habitat project focused on a 14-acre field that was becoming too difficult to access and farm with the increasing size of modern machinery. By enrolling these 14 acres into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), they were able to establish native grasses and wildflowers, a wildlife tree planting, and a wildlife food plot. This same program helped them establish a perennial grass filter strip along a wetland as well. That same year, they started renovations on the old and dilapidated shelterbelt that surrounded their farmstead by planting many new trees and shrubs. During a subsequent conversation with SWCD staff, Al fondly recalled hunting several wetlands on the farm as surrounding acres a youth, which no longer existed due to tile drainage. in production. When the SWCD developed Their goal was to restore a 26- and proposed a restoration acre, tile drained wetland in plan for these two by-gone the middle of their cropland, wetlands, the idea was met while at the same time keeping mostly with great enthusiasm. a portion of the surrounding In 2016, Al and Linda moved acres in production. This was forward with that wetland not an easy task. After restoration plan developed by exploring many restoration the SWCD. To do so, they options and configurations, enrolled 28 more acres into they eventually settled on a CRP and worked with the plan. Through a combination SWCD to restore the two of CRP and RIM, the state of wetlands and the associated Minnesota's conservation uplands. The results of the easement program, 46 new wetland restoration were acres were restored and beyond the couple's expectations. The project even caught the attention of the Kandiyohi County Pheasants Forever (PF) chapter and earned them the 2018 Gold Standard Landowner Award at the Minnesota PF State Convention. It didn't take long for Al and Linda to start planning for their next project. One so large and so important to them, it would become their ultimate conservation goal for the farm, taking over four years to complete. Their goal was to restore a 26-acre, tile drained wetland in the middle of their cropland, while at the same time keeping a portion of the permanently protected along with the two previously restored wetlands. Sadly, Al passed away unexpectedly in November 2022, before the wetland restoration could be completed in May of 2023. The Kandiyohi SWCD applauds Linda Peterson and the late Al DeRuyter for their vision and everlasting toward contributions improving habitat and water quality in Kandiyohi County. They have demonstrated how soil and water conservation practices improve the health of the soil, the water, and the surrounding habitat for both people and wildlife to thrive. PAID ADVERTISEMENT KANDIYOHI SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT SWCD New Year New Office 1001 High Ave NE Willmar , MN 56201 Phone : ( 320 ) - 403-4350 www.kandiyohiswcd.org New Address and Phone Number NEWSLETTER Open House : April 1st , 10am - 5pm Kandiyohi SWCD Board Supervisors : Brandon Smith : Chairman , District 5 Steve Friedlein : Vice Chairman , District 1 Donnel Williamson : Secretary , District 2 Jeff Martinka : Treasurer , District 3 Jane Youngkrantz : Public Relations and Information , District 4 Kandiyohi SWCD Staff : Margaret Johnson , District Manager Ryan Peterson , District Technical Coordinator Ellie Faber , Conservation Technician Brittany Lenzmeier , Agriculture Coordinator Sandy Laumer , Office & Finance Manager Natural Resources Conservation Service ( NRCS ) Staff : ( 320 ) -235-3540 ext . 3 Melanie Dickman , CST Lead District Conservationist Rick Gronseth , Civil Engineer Technician William Lee , District Conservationist Ethan Collins , Soil Conservationist Hannah Walsh , Soil Conservationist Pheasants Forever : Aaron Wilson , Senior Farm Bill Biologist Meet our New Board Supervisor ! Jeff Martinka has lived in Kandiyohi County for most of his life and is an outdoor recreation enthusiast . Whether it's skiing or fishing on one of our local lakes in the summer , enjoying a round of golf at one of our courses , or chasing game animals like deer and pheasants in the fall , he loves spending time enjoying the outdoors . In addition , Jeff is married with two young daughters , and he's passionate about teaching them to love and respect our natural world . He believes that the conservation and protection of our lands and waterways is of vital importance to future generations . We protect what we love , and he loves virtually every part of the outdoor world . A favorite quote from Wisconsin conservationist Doug Duren is " It's not ours , it's just our turn . " We should always strive to leave the landscapes that we inhabit and use in a better condition when we leave , than when we arrived . Jeff will be the supervisor for District 3 , which covers the townships of Willmar , Green Lake , Kandiyohi , and Fahlun . SWCD Events & Happenings : 2025 February 6th : Tree Open House March 25th : Irrigation Clinic ( Spicer American Legion ) April 1st : New Office Open House ( 10am - 5pm ) April 4th & 5th The Home & Outdoor Living Expo April 12th : Earth Day ( PWELC ) April 26 : Healthy Earth , Healthy Kids " Visit www.kandiyohiswcd.org for event details f As organizations grow and evolve , so too must you already know the location . Moving to this their operational strategies , including their new office space will increase operational physical locations . For this reason , it was time efficiency and enhance productivity ; hopefully for the Kandiyohi SWCD to move out of the inspiring more individuals in Kandiyohi County to USDA service center location and into a new adopt and implement conservation practices . office space . Construction began in August 2024 Our mission of assisting landowners in the to add an office space onto the existing storage implementation of best management practices shed located next to our previous office location . has not changed , we will still strive to set the If you have picked up trees from us in the past , standard for county responsibility in environmental stewardship . We must also pause to express our appreciation to the County Commissioners and residents of Kandiyohi County that made this expansion possible . Through collaboration and a shared commitment to serving the needs of our community , along with the collective efforts of our past Board Supervisors and the unwavering support of our current Board Supervisors we have been able to achieve remarkable progress , like this new office , which will help make a lasting impact for the land , water , and people of our County . Stop by on April 1st , 10am - 5pm , for an open house . Enjoy some refreshments and chat with staff about potential project ideas . We hope you can join us . Kandiyohi County 2024's Outstanding Conservationist The Kandiyohi Soil and Water Conservation District is pleased to announce its selection for 2024 Outstanding Conservationists , Linda Peterson and the late Al DeRuyter of Sunburg , MN . The SWCD first came to know Al & Linda in 2008 when they purchased the DeRuyter family . farm . From the beginning Al and Linda had a broad vision for their farm that included increasing soil productivity . crop diversity , quality habitat , and more wildlife . Their first action of conservation was to stop the soil erosion that was occurring . Previous farming practices had led to severe erosion and soil loss in sensitive areas . Al and Linda wasted time establishing a water and sediment control basin , along with a 450 - foot - long grassed waterway to remediate gully erosion . After the major erosion issues had been addressed , they turned their attention to habitat and wildlife . Their first habitat project focused on a 14 - acre field that was becoming too difficult to access and farm with the increasing size of modern machinery . By enrolling these 14 acres into the Conservation Reserve Program ( CRP ) , they were able to establish native grasses and wildflowers , a wildlife tree planting , and a wildlife food plot . This same program helped them establish a perennial grass filter strip along a wetland as well . That same year , they started renovations on the old and dilapidated shelterbelt that surrounded their farmstead by planting many new trees and shrubs . During a subsequent conversation with SWCD staff , Al fondly recalled hunting several wetlands on the farm as surrounding acres a youth , which no longer existed due to tile drainage . in production . When the SWCD developed Their goal was to restore a 26- and proposed a restoration acre , tile drained wetland in plan for these two by - gone the middle of their cropland , wetlands , the idea was met while at the same time keeping mostly with great enthusiasm . a portion of the surrounding In 2016 , Al and Linda moved acres in production . This was forward with that wetland not an easy task . After restoration plan developed by exploring many restoration the SWCD . To do so , they options and configurations , enrolled 28 more acres into they eventually settled on a CRP and worked with the plan . Through a combination SWCD to restore the two of CRP and RIM , the state of wetlands and the associated Minnesota's conservation uplands . The results of the easement program , 46 new wetland restoration were acres were restored and beyond the couple's expectations . The project even caught the attention of the Kandiyohi County Pheasants Forever ( PF ) chapter and earned them the 2018 Gold Standard Landowner Award at the Minnesota PF State Convention . It didn't take long for Al and Linda to start planning for their next project . One so large and so important to them , it would become their ultimate conservation goal for the farm , taking over four years to complete . Their goal was to restore a 26 - acre , tile drained wetland in the middle of their cropland , while at the same time keeping a portion of the permanently protected along with the two previously restored wetlands . Sadly , Al passed away unexpectedly in November 2022 , before the wetland restoration could be completed in May of 2023. The Kandiyohi SWCD applauds Linda Peterson and the late Al DeRuyter for their vision and everlasting toward contributions improving habitat and water quality in Kandiyohi County . They have demonstrated how soil and water conservation practices improve the health of the soil , the water , and the surrounding habitat for both people and wildlife to thrive .