Supervisor Election Candidates

Board of Supervisors

Pope SWCD Staff

NCRS Staff

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Meet the 2010 Supervisor Election Canditates

Board of Supervisors	Back to Top

Back Row: Ralph Peterson, D. Gary Reents, Mark Halls Front Row: Randy Anderson, Keith Nygaard

Meet your supervisor by clicking on the link below. If you are interested in becoming a supervisor and want to learn more please visit the Board of Water and Soil Resources site. There are 91 SWCD's throughout the state with each being governed by a board of 5 elected supervisors. They are elected by nomination districts on the general ballot (do not participate in primaries), and the terms are staggered. The next election will be in 2008. Interested individuals can file with the county auditor prior to July.

Pope SWCD Districts:

Keith Nygaard
District 1, Chairmain
(320) 239-4279

D. Gary Reents
District 5, Vice Chair
(320) 554-3328

Ralph J. Peterson
District 2, Secretary
(320) 634-1945

Randy Anderson
District 4, Treasurer
(320) 239-2579

Mark Halls
District 3, Public Relations
(320) 278-3285

Chairman Keith Nygaard is from Starbuck and represents District 1. He was a dairy producer for many years. Keith is actively engaged in crop farming and building construction. He has a wealth of knowledge of the agricultural industry to represent District 1. Keith has filed for re-election in 2010.

Vice Chair D. Gary Reents is from the Villard area where he farms and has livestock. He has been on the board for over 15 years representing District 5. Gary was re-elected in 2008 for another four year tern.

Secretary Ralph Peterson represents District 2. Ralph resides in Glenwood, crop farms and serves of many committees including Chairman of WesMin RC & D. Ralph was re-elected to represent District 2 until 2012.

Treasurer Randy Anderson and his family operate a multi-generational farm south of Starbuck. He is also the Senior Business & Ag Lender at North-American State Bank in their Willmar office. Randy represents District 4 and has filed for re-election in 2010.

Public Relations Mark Halls is from Brooten where he represents District 3. He has a crop and livestock operation including sheep and cattle. He is active in the local Cattleman's Association as well as other agricultural organizations in the area. Mark has decided not to run for re-election in 2010.

Pope SWCD Staff	Back to Top

Luan Johnsrud, District Office Manager
Luan started with Pope SWCD in January 2009. As the office manager Luan will be responsible for accounting and coordinating education programs for the SWCD. Luan will work closely with FSA and NRCS in promoting conservation programs. Prior to working with the SWCD she worked for non profit organizations and was a dairy farmer. She enjoys gardening, sewing, and remodeling her home.

Kelly Erickson, District Technician
Kelly Erickson is not new to Pope County. He has been a lifetime resident. He most recently owned and operated a dairy operation by Starbuck. Kelly is responsible for the Tree & Native grasses programs including, sales, planting, planning, and implementation. He works with all of the equipment rentals as well. He will be working with the Rosholt Research Farm.

Fred Kollman, DU Contract Biologist
In August 2009, Fred Kollman joined our staff as the new DU Contract biologist. Fred was the DU Contract Biologist in Stevens County and is a retired NRCS employee. Fred just completed a 2200 mile bike trip starting in Idaho and crossing several states, ending in Virginia. What an achievement! Please help us in welcoming Fred to our office. Stop by and visit with him on the WRP program.

Matt Fischer, Farm Bill Technician
In October 2009, Matt Fischer will be starting as the new Farm Bill Technician. Matt’s past experiences include working for the Wadena Soil and Water Conservation District, where he assisted with rain garden and shoreline restoration projects, irrigation water management, and noxious weed management. Matt enjoys fishing, hunting, and camping. Please help us welcome Matt to the area!

NCRS Staff	Back to Top

Melissa Behrens, Soil Conservation Technician

Melissa has worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service since June of 2001. Melissa grew up on a dairy farm in Evansville, MN. She graduated from North Dakota State University in 2002, with degrees in General Agriculture and Agricultural Economics. Prior to working in Glenwood, Melissa worked with NRCS in Clay County, MN and on the cooperative conservation Glacial Ridge Project near Crookston, MN. The Glacial Ridge Project is a 30,000 acre project funded with money from NRCS's Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). It is located on the old beach ridges of Glacial Lake Agassiz. Melissa is very knowledgeable about WRP if you have questions about this program please come in and talk to her. Melissa also works with EQIP, CRP, CCRP, and CSP programs. Melissa enjoys working on engineering designs and construction inspection for wetland restorations and taking pictures and identifying wild flowers!

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