Partnership
2021 Conservationist
Partnership
We work together to put conservation practices on the ground by utilizing State Funds and working directly with local producers/landowners and area engineers.
Buffers
2021 Conservationist
Partnership
Lots of discussion in the State of Minnesota has been revolving around Buffers to improve water quality in the state. If you are interested in learning more, contact our office or click on the link below.
2021 Conservationist
2021 Conservationist
2021 Conservationist
This year Michael and Laurie Fruechte have been nominated as the 2021 Pipestone County Outstanding Conservationist.
Their family carries a long history of caring for the land while adding resiliency to their farming operations. They operate a livestock and diversified crop operation, raising corn, soybeans, alfalfa-grass mixtures, annual forage crops, and native pastures with beef cow/calf and custom fed hogs. Over the years they have added edge of field borders and increased their use of cover crops and no-till practices. They rotationally graze native pastures to ensure animal health and protect native species . The Fruechte's have a passion for farming and conservation; the influence to be environmentally conscious was passed down from generations before him and Michael says “I feel a sense of stewardship and want to continue to leave a legacy for our next generations”.
Importance of Soil Health
NACD Secretary-Second Vice President Ian Cunningham
Second Vice President Ian Cunningham owns and operates a fifth-generation family farm, Cunningham Family Farm, LLC, with his son Richard just outside of Pipestone, Minn. An NACD Soil Health Champion, Cunningham was an early adopter of soil health practices like cover crops, no-till and strip till.
Cunningham is a district supervisor for Pipestone Soil and Water Conservation District in the southwest corner of the state and has served on the board since 1999. He climbed the ranks of the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD), serving as area secretary-treasurer, area co-director, area director, state board member, vice president and president of the state association. Cunningham first became involved with NACD as a member of the board of directors in 2012. He served on the district outlook task force, the farm bill task force, and served as chairman of the association’s legislative committee. Most recently, Cunningham served as the North Central Region Representative on NACD’s executive board.
In addition to his previous work on the Couteau des Prairie Resource Conservation and Development Council and his leadership at the Pipestone Performing Arts Center, Cunningham remains an active member in his community, serving on the Pipestone Area Community Foundation board of directors and as a member of the Al Opland Singers since 1988.
https://www.nacdnet.org/about-nacd/nacd-leadership/nacd-officers/
NACD Secretary - Treasurer Ian Cunningham