Providing Quality Conservation Resources since 1949
The Pope SWCD invites you to stop on in for a limited copy of this year’s 2025 calendar. The Pope SWCD hosted a photo contest, and the winners are featured in this year’s calendar. Watch for details early in 2025 as we announce next year’s photo contest for the 2026 calendar.
Pope Soil and Water Conservation District each year along with other SWCD’s from across the state of Minnesota recognize landowners for implementing conservation projects or conducting work of an exemplary nature that helps improve and protect our lakes, rivers, streams, and land.
This year we are pleased to select Richard, Victoria, Paul, and Josie Syverson for the 2024 Pope County Outstanding Conservationist. The Syverson’s operate a 1,500-acre MDA Water Quality Certified farm raising corn, soybeans, forage, and cover crops. They irrigate 155 acres. They have implemented: cover crops, a shelterbelt, no-till, vertical tillage, water quality intakes, water and sediment control basins, grass plantings, irrigation water management, grid sampling, pasture and forage management, and nutrient management. The Syverson’s have 160 mixed breed mostly polypay ewes and feed 320 market lambs annually. They work closely with Pope SWCD and NRCS on implementing several practices.
Richard has been a strong advocate for Minnesota producers. The Syverson’s are good stewards and agricultural leaders that are using conservation methods in their operation and enjoy learning and sharing their knowledge with others.
We presented the Syverson’s their award and recognition at the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s Annual Conference on December 4th in St. Paul and on December 17th at the Pope County Commissioners Meeting.
Congratulations again to the Syverson’s. We are proud to select them as this year’s recipient for this recognition and their conservation efforts. We applaud and thank them for their efforts.
Pope Soil and Water Conservation District was recognized on September 17th by the Board of Water and Soil Resources for 75 years of bringing water management and conservation to the people and lands of Pope County 1949-2024.
In attendance during this recognition are pictured left to right below:
Jeff Hellermann (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service District Conservationist), Jason Weinerman (Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources Board Conservationist), D. Gary Reents (Pope SWCD Board Member), Randy Pederson (Pope SWCD Board Member), Keith Nygaard (Pope SWCD Board Member), Randy Mitteness (Pope SWCD Board Member), Holly Kovarik (Pope SWCD District Manager), Tom Talle (Pope SWCD Board Member), Nicole Brede (Pope SWCD Habitat Resource Specialist), Senator Torrey Westrom, Dave Iverson (City of Glenwood Administrator), Representative Paul Anderson, and Alex Fellbaum (USDA Farm Service Agency Pope and Douglas County Offices Executive Director)
Pope SWCD Staff not pictured unable to attend the recognition: Christopher Borash (Pope SWCD Conservation Technician), Kimberly DeMorett (Pope SWCD Resource and Outreach Technician), and Mason Stewart (Pope SWCD Conservation Technician)
Photo Credit: Tim Douglass Pope County Tribune
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that the Chippewa River Watershed Association Joint Powers Board is holding a Public Hearing at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Pope County Courthouse Community Room, 130 E. Minnesota Avenue, Glenwood, MN regarding the Chippewa River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan adoption.
Information will be presented and discussed regarding the draft comprehensive watershed management plan for the Chippewa River Watershed, which covers portions of Otter Tail, Grant, Douglas, Stevens, Pope, Stearns, Swift, Kandiyohi, and Chippewa Counties. This Plan was previously out for 60-day review from December 18th – February 27th, 2024. This Plan was developed cooperatively by the County Boards and SWCD Boards in Otter Tail, Grant, Douglas, Stevens, Pope, Stearns, Swift, Kandiyohi, and Chippewa Counties.
Any interested person(s) may appear at the above time and place and are invited to attend the hearing and submit comments, written or verbal, that will become part of the official public hearing record.
Please submit written comments by 9:15 a.m. on Friday, April 19th, 2024 using the contact information below. Comments will be considered when making final revisions to the plan.
By Mail: Pope Soil and Water Conservation District
Attn: Holly Kovarik, District Manager
1680 Franklin Street North
Glenwood, MN 56334
By E-Mail: holly.kovarik@mn.nacdnet.net
Subject: “Chippewa River Watershed Plan Public Comments”
Copies of the current draft Plan, maps of the planning area, a summary of the response to comments, and related documents are available on the Chippewa River Watershed website: https://chippewariverwatershed.org/plans/comprehensive-watershed-management-plan/
A hard copy of the draft plan is available upon request at the following locations during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please call ahead to make an appointment to view the hard copies at the following location: Pope Soil and Water Conservation District 1680 Franklin Street North, Glenwood, MN 56334.
Holly Kovarik, District Manager
Pope Soil and Water Conservation District