Impacting conservation in the roll of SWCD supervisor

The Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board of Supervisors are elected officials who serve a four-year term and are elected in the general election.  The office of supervisor is a nonpartisan office and each supervisor represents their entire district. 

Supervisors meet monthly, discussing the business of the SWCD, setting conservation priorities, distributing state grant allocations to landowners, and coordinating conservation efforts with other local units of government and state and federal agencies.  Supervisors receive a per diem for board meetings and are reimbursed for mileage and expenses related to the supervisor position.

Currently, the Board of Supervisors is chaired by Kathy Tesmer, who represents District 3.  Robert Picket is vice chair and represents District 4.  Travis Willford is the secretary and is the representative for District 5.  District 1 is represented by Brian Hazel, who holds the treasurer position.  The District 2 representative is Tim Gossman.

District 1 is made up of Arendahl, Rushford Village, Norway and Holt townships plus the City of Lanesboro.  The townships of Sumner, Spring Valley (excluding the City of Spring Valley), and Chatfield are included in District 2.  District 3 is made up of Fillmore, Bloomfield, Forestville, Beaver and York Townships plus the City of Spring Valley.  District 4 includes the townships of Pilot Mound, Fountain, Carrolton (excluding Lanesboro), Carimona, Preston and Bristol.  Amherst, Preble, Harmony, Canton and Newburg townships make up District 5.

If you are interested, or know someone who would serve well in this role, three district supervisor positions will be up for election this year: Districts 3, 4, and 5.  Interested individuals need to file a Minnesota Affidavit of Candidacy with Fillmore County Auditor’s office in Preston May 19 through June 2 at 5 p.m. We currently have a great group of supervisors and appreciate their continued dedicated service. However, new energy and ideas are also welcome, especially as supervisors eventually opt out to concentrate on other interests.