Dennis Fuchs, Stearns County SWCD

The Outstanding Service Award is available annually to a Minnesota Chapter SWCS member who has ten years or more of service to the Chapter.   The Chapter would like to recognize Dennis Fuchs.  Dennis has been an asset to the work of soil and water conservation, he plans two CCA up-dates a year to continue to educate local professionals about most current subjects in conservation and agricultural concerns.  Dennis has most recently completed an intensive Leadership program which shows his enthusiasm towards conservation by taking the time to improve upon his own leadership skills to educate others.   Dennis is also willing and able to assist whenever he can with the MN SWCS Chapter when he is not doing all the other volunteer or work items.  Dennis continues to be a strong leader for the Stearns County SWCD.  Thank you Dennis for all your contributions to the Natural Resources Field!

The Commendation Award is available annually to Minnesota Chapter SWCS members for their commendable service to the Minnesota SWCS.   The Chapter would like to recognize Jim Truax for Chapter service. Jim Truax has been an outstanding supporter of SWCS for several decades.  Jim works tirelessly as the owner of Truax Company since 1974.  As a landscaper during the early 1970's, Jim Truax experienced first hand the frustration of trying to plant native prairie grasses with the available equipment. These frustrations led to the design and development of the Truax Drill. Truax equipment is designed from the top down to effectively meter and plant grass seeds at the required shallow depth.  Jim’s commitment to the Truax Drill has made a huge impact on not only Minnesota landscapes but also on land throughout the United States.  Additionally, for several years, Jim has been a member of SWCS.  He is frequently seen exhibiting at our National SWCS Conferences and other conferences throughout MN and the US.  Jim has a strong commitment to conservation. 

Merit Awards for 2008

The Chapter would like to recognize Paul Flynn for his accomplishments.  Paul Flynn serves as the State Resource Conservationist for MN NRCS in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Paul has had multi-state experience in the agency having worked in both Iowa and Minnesota. Paul has worked tirelessly on numerous NRCS programs and technical issues.  The result being, MN NRCS’s employees and clientele are better informed and served.  Paul’s can to attitude has helped a great deal in making positive Minnesota results on our landscape. People like Paul Flynn make things happen and his leadership efforts and results are worthy of the MN SWCS Merit Award. 
 

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The Chapter would also like to recognize Wendy Griffin.  Wendy Griffin has been a conservation district technician for Washington Conservation District for several years.  Wendy has been a hard worker and promoter of conservation programs for Washington County, Minnesota.  Wendy’s strong ability to work with others and develop excellent one-on-one relationships with others has enabled her to accomplish results with landowners and operators of Washington County, MN.  It is because of people like Wendy that conservation is accomplished on our landscape!  Wendy’s can—do attitude has made things happen and has had a way of creating a domino effect with other urban conservation districts in the twin cities. 

The Education Award is available annually to an individual, group, agency, etc. for their contribution to the conservation education of adults and/or youth.   The Minnesota Chapter of SWCS would like to recognize the Mille Lacs SWCD staff and supervisors.  The Mille Lacs SWCD is a strong leader in strives to educate members of their community through workshops, news releases, making themselves available for public meetings, conducting the nitrate clinic for locals with rural water to test their water for free at the county fair and the Princeton Expo. They also plan a 5^th grade education day in the spring of every year.  In the past three years they have put on or assisted with a series of wildlife workshops, tree planting workshops, one horse grazing workshop and continue to plan more ways to educate their continuants.  The Mille Lacs SWCD also plays an important role in the noxious weed law, for they wear the hat of the county ag inspector.  They have contributed to as a pilot county to conduct weed mapping of Leafy spurge, knotweed, noxious thistles, and many more.  They are also participating in biological control methods for leafy spurge. They have done a tremendous job of getting all the township and local folks on board to keep the invasive at bay! 

Student Scholarship