Welcome to the Traverse SWCD website!
It is the
goal of our website to inform you of the many opportunities that abound in our
County.
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The Traverse Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board of Supervisors are excited to announce their selection of the 2008 Traverse County Conservation Partners of the Year: Eugene and Mary Jane Stueve! The Stueve’s were chosen for their dedication to conservation of the land and the development of wildlife habitat. In the past few years, the Stueve’s have enrolled, established, and continue to maintain over 460 acres of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts. Gene has nearly 300 acres of highly erodible classified land in Big Stone County in General CRP contracts. He also has over 110 acres of filter strips in six separate contracts as well as 43 acres of native prairie restoration in four contracts. Gene has enrolled nearly 5 acres in a CRP program for land with high salt levels and also has three acres of trees in a CRP farmstead windbreak. Gene has also signed an Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) contract for residue management on 150 acres of his cropland. With this program, the producer agrees to maintain a minimum amount of crop residue on the field after tillage to prevent wind and water erosion. Gene and Mary Jane enjoy watching the wild pheasants that frequently visit their yard in the winter time. They often provide corn for the pheasants and other wildlife near their farm. Gene began his farming career with his dad in the 1950’s. The operation started with 320 acres. Gene currently owns about 1200 acres of land in the area, including the CRP acres. He farms the remainder of cropland. Gene grows corn, soybeans, and some edible beans on his operation. He and his son, Mark, exchange labor for some of the field work but keep their operations separate. Gene was a member of the school board in Graceville for 9 years but has since retired. He has attended fundraiser banquets for Pheasants Forever in years past. Mary Jane (Widhalm) Stueve grew up near Rosholt. Gene and Mary Jane were married in 1954. They raised six children; Linda, Don, Cynthia, Doug, twins Mark and Melodie, and Lisa. Mary Jane used to drive grain trucks for the farm but now she sticks to driving the lawn mower and working in the yard. She loves gardening and is a member of the ladies guild at Ave Maria Church in Wheaton. Mary Jane was also a member of the Parent Teacher Organization in Graceville for nine years and a leader for a few years. The Stueve’s take great pride in the conservation practices they have established. Gene feels that enrolling the least productive land into CRP has many benefits, including improved habitat for wildlife and reducing input expenses on the land that is marginally productive. If you know a resident or organization in Traverse County who should be recognized for accomplishments or involvement with conservation of natural resources, please feel free to call the SWCD office to discuss a nomination.
Some documents may require you to have Adobe Reader to view them. Click the Adobe Reader icon to download the program for free.*Click here for the Districts Brochure*Contact InformationClick here for a map to Traverse SWCD/NRCS Offices
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Traverse Soil & Water Conservation District Send mail to
trudy.determan@mn.nacdnet.net with
questions or comments about this web site.
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