Carlton County SWCD honors Outstanding Conservationists in 2007

The Carlton County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board of Supervisors hosted the 2007 Conservationists Awards Banquet Tuesday, September 18^th in the Cozy Café downtown Carlton. The banquet was held to honor some of the outstanding conservation efforts taking place in Carlton County. District 4 Board Supervisor Carol Hauck welcomed the evenings guests and introduced the program sponsors including: Lake Country Power, the City of Cromwell, North Shore Bank, Northview Bank of Cromwell, and Wolf Creek Consultants. “This year the SWCD asked local businesses around the county to support the awards program. Some (of the sponsors) chose to support the event while others stepped up to sponsor specific awards. The support we received for the awards program was really great,” said Hauck. “The award’s recipients are a vital part of their communities. So, it was very rewarding to see the communities supporting the award winners and their conservation efforts.”

First to be recognized was this year’s Outstanding Conservationists of the Year, Duane and Doreen LaVeau. The LaVeaus operate a 50 head dairy herd on 157 acres near Wrenshall. Their cropland is farmed with a crop rotation designed to minimize soil erosion. A manure storage pit was constructed to collect the manure from the dairy herd. Through the storage of this manure and following a nutrient management plan, the LaVeaus have eliminated most commercial fertilizers inputs for their farm. Nutrients in the manure are fully utilized by timely application & incorporation into the soil. This minimizes nutrient rich runoff from entering nearby streams. Two tree plantings have been planned with one being complete. This will provide wildlife habitat on the farm. The LaVeaus are a great example of sustainable farming with attention to soil and water issues. Presenting the LaVeaus with the Outstanding Conservationists of the Year award was District 5 Board Supervisor Mark Thell. CAP Trico a division of Federated Co-ops Inc. sponsored the award along with cosponsors Stock Tire Company & Jim Hongisto Inc.

The slideshow continued with Albert Peterson and his family receiving the 2007 Outstanding Wildlife Conservationist award. Albert, his son Russ, and his son’s wife Trish along with other family members have worked to restore over 50 acres of wetland creating over 2 miles of shoreline on their property. A local farmer rents the barn and pastures managing 50 head of dairy. In 2003, a Forest Stewardship plan was prepared to maximize wildlife habitat while maintaining the dairy farming operation. The Petersons have planted 500 white pine in 2007 and plan to plant 4000 more trees in the years to come. Albert and his family’s commitment to wildlife habitat creation with attention to diversity are proof that farming and wildlife can not only coexist, but both can prosper side by side. Presenting the Petersons with the Outstanding Wildlife Conservationist’s award was District 1 Board Supervisor Barbara Dahl. Cornerstone State Bank in Cloquet sponsored the award along with cosponsor CAP Trico a division of Federated Co-ops Inc.

The last award of the evening was presented to Dave and Debra Mikrot for Outstanding Livestock Management. The Mikrots operate their farm on 208 acres and run about 50 cow/calf pairs. With Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) financial and technical assistance, 140 acres have been split into 12 paddocks for controlled grazing pasture. Close to 2.5 miles of fence was constructed to establish these 12 new paddocks. The Mikrots also created 3 livestock watering ponds in addition to 3 existing ponds. These ponds are utilized as the livestock water source. Over 33 acres of pasture seeding was completed to rejuvenate pastureland and provide livestock with good forage. The Mikrots play an important role in the water quality of the Kettle River watershed by limiting livestock to pasture through rotational grazing. Presenting the Mikrots with the Outstanding Livestock Conservationist’s award was District 4 Board Supervisor Carol Hauck. Woodland Insurance in Carlton sponsored the award.

The Carlton County SWCD would like to thank all the award sponsors; Cap Trico Division of Federated Co-ops, Inc., Cornerstone State Bank, Woodland Insurance, Stock Tire Company, Jim Hongisto Inc., along with the awards program sponsors Lake Country Power, the City of Cromwell, North Shore Bank, Northview Bank of Cromwell, and

Wolf Creek Consultants. “Without this community support the awards program would not be possible,” said Brad Matlack SWCD Manager. “The SWCD is looking forward to another active year of conservation along with assisting Carlton County landowners in conservation project implementation to protect and enhance the fantastic, natural resources of Carlton County.”