District 3                 Paul Schwendemann

1.     What strengths would you bring to the SWCD Board?

         I have been a business owner for over 25 years and have experience in management, budgeting, employee management, customer relations and the importance of a good working environment. I also own land and have been involved in working with the SWCD office to enhance my land since 1998. I feel I have a good understanding of the functions of the office.

2.     Tell us about your past experience with conservation issues that make you qualified to be an SWCD Supervisor.

         I have been working with the Lac qui Parle County SWCD since 1998 when I submitted my first piece of property for the CREP program. I have also worked with the local office on WHIP, EQUIP, CRP, best management practices such as well sealing, shelter belt tree plantings, to name a few.

3.     What is your motivation for being an SWCD Supervisor?

        I would like to become more involved in seeing conservation programs happen. It is fun to watch conservation practices happen.

4.     What do you feel is the most effective approach to protecting our natural resources: voluntary adoption of best management practices by landowners, use of government regulation, education of the citizenry, or a combination of these approaches?

         I prefer voluntary adoption of best management practices. If people are educated and helped to implement the county’s best management practices, I believe they will do the right thing and apply these management practices to their operations.

5.     What conservation ideas or changes would you implement to ensure the sustainability of agriculture and natural resources in your district?

         I feel that the current projects implemented by the SWCD are great. I would like to see these continued and after spending time on the board, seeing if there are ways to improve or add to the SWCD programs.

District 4              This position will be filled by write-in votes. 

District 5              Jeffrey Johnson

1.     What strengths would you bring to the SWCD Board?

         I have an interest in conservation. 

2.     Tell us about your past experience with conservation issues that make you qualified to be an SWCD Supervisor.

         I have worked with our local SWCD many times over the years. Part of our farm had contour strips dating back to the 1950s. We have installed terraces to help prevent water erosion and make it easier to farm. Conservation tillage and no-tilling beans have also helped prevent erosion.

3.     What is your motivation for being an SWCD Supervisor?

         I want someone who is familiar with farming to be a Supervisor and to help set the policies for our local SWCD.

4.     What do you feel is the most effective approach to protecting our natural resources: voluntary adoption of best management practices by landowners, use of government regulation, education of the citizenry, or a combination of these approaches?

         Education of the land owners with a voluntary adoption of conservation practices. I do "not" feel government regulation should be used.

5.     What conservation ideas or changes would you implement to ensure the sustainability of agriculture and natural resources in your district?

         I feel our local SWCD is on the right track with their policies.