Pictured are the Pope SWCD board members and staff, Pope County Commissioners, and NRCS staff with the Syversons. In the front row from left are: Keith Nygaard, Holly Kovarik, Victoria and Richard Syverson, Paul Gerde, and Larry Linder. In the back row from left are: Jeff Hellerman, D. Gary Reents, Randy Pederson, Tom Talle, Randy Mitteness, Paul Gremmels, Gordy Wagner, and Paul Wildman.
The Pope SWCD board celebrated the accomplishments of the 2024 Pope County Outstanding Conservationists Paul, Josie. Richard and Victoria Syverson. The Syversons and the Pope SWCD board members and staff joined landowners across the state at the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Convention in Bloomington on December 4. In the front row from left are: Keith Nygaard, Josie Syverson, and Holly Kovarik. In the back row from left are: Mason Stewart, Christopher Borash, Paul Syverson, Randy Pederson, and D. Gary Reents. (Richard and Victoria Syverson were unable to attend.)

Pope Soil and Water Conservation District (PSWCD) 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 lakes, rivers, streams, and land.

This year the Pope SWCD selected 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, it was stated.

Pope SWCD presented the Syverson’s their award and recognition at the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s Annual Conference on December 4 in St. Paul and on December 17 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,” it was stated by the Pope SWCD board members and staff.