PROJECTS!!

Goodhue SWCD honored for 50 years at County Fair!
By: Janet Kubat Willette, jkubat@agrinews.com www.agrinews.com

From left: Donald Banks, Larry Thomforde, John Jaeger, Paul Voxland, Ed McNamara.  Also pictured is Mary Kells from the MN Board of Water & Soil Resources who presented the award.  (photo by Janet Kubat)

GOODHUE, Minn. -  Goodhue County's Soil and Water Conservation District was recognized for 50 years of service at the 150th annual Goodhue County Fair last week.

Mary Kells, conservationist with the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources, presented the staff and supervisors with a plaque at the Goodhue County Commissioners meeting at the county fair.

We have a great soil and water, said county board chairman Ted Seifert. Those guys do a great job for us.

Kells formerly worked at the Goodhue County office. In 50 years, the office has had 45 employees and 15 supervisors. 

The supervisors are an independent body who govern the SWCD. Supervisor Donald Banks has been a supervisor since the district formed in 1961. Paul Voxland has been a supervisor since 1985, John Jaeger since 1991, Edward McNamara since 1995 and Lawrence Thomforde since 2005.

The SWCD gave out three awards recognizing conservationists in the county at the meeting in the fairs Entertainment Tent. William and Susan Gorman of Belle Creek Township were named Conservation Farmers of the Year, Debra and Kent Volz of Vasa Township were named Woodland Managers of the Year and the Goodhue County Pheasants Forever Chapter No. 3 was recognized for Wildlife Habitat Management.

 

SWCD Supervisor Donald Banks with the 50th Anniversary Award.  (photo by Janet Kubat Willette  / Agri News)

William and Sue Gorman of Belle Creek Township were recognized as Conservation Farmers of the Year by Supervisor Ed McNamara.  (photo by Janet Kubat Willette  / Agri News)

Kent and Debra Volz were recognized as Woodland Managers of the Year by SWCD Supervisor Ed McNamara for their efforts on their 22.5 acre property in Vasa Township. (photo by Janet Kubat Willette  / Agri News)