FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FILLMORE SWCD EMPLOYEES CELEBRATE 25 YEARS

Preston, Minnesota – November 18, 2010 - Rick Grooters and Doug Keene are celebrating twenty-five years as Conservation Resource Technicians with the Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).

An Open House in their honor is planned for Thursday, December 2, 2010, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the SWCD office located at 900 Washington Street NW in Preston. Rick and Doug are being recognized for their service and dedication to the conservation of our soil, water, and natural resources.

Both Rick and Doug have been involved with the State Cost Share Program designing terraces, grassed waterways,ponds, andfarmstead windbreaks for area landowners. They also work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) practices. After the floods of 2007,theyimplemented practices to repair damages using the flood relief dollars allocated to the Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).They have been and continue to be the primary technicians who have implemented other District programs over the years, such as the pond clean out program and manure set aside program.

Rick has worked with landowners to develop contracts in the Reinvest In Minnesota (RIM) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs (CREP). Each year since 1986, hehas organized the Sixth Grade Conservation Tour held at ForestvilleState Park which is attended by sixth graders from Kingsland, Fillmore Central, Rushford-Peterson and Mabel-Canton schools. He has worked forseventeen years with the Envirothon, a competition for high school students in an outdoor setting, testing their knowledge on soils, wildlife, water resources, forestry and current environmental issues. Rick has also attended Leadership Training sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Currently Rick is on the City ofPreston Tree Board, and the Preston Area Foundation Board, a past member of the Preston Volunteer Fire Department and the Golf Course Board. He is also active in his church.

Doug has worked with the Volunteer Precipitation Monitors program for 15 years, the Cover Crop program, maintains the Chatfield well log and enters State Cost Share information into e-Link, a web based reporting program that tracks how grant funds are spent and calculates the environmental benefits of the practices implemented. He has helped with the Tillage Transect Surveys and assists the county with the Soil Erosion Ordinance, the Sinkhole Ordinance, and septic system inspections for which he has been trained and certified.

Currently Doug is the chief of the Preston Volunteer Fire Department. He has been a member of the Preston Jaycees, the Community Club, and the Preston Park Board.

Congratulations to Rick and Doug on this milestone in their career.

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Contact:

Jeanette Serfling

Fillmore SWCD

900 Washington Street NW

Preston, MN 55965

507-765-3878 ext. 3