2023

75 Years-Waseca Soil and Water Conservation District History 1948-Present

The Waseca Soil Conservation District was organized in 1948, by Waseca County Commissioners, The Extension Service and Local Farmers who headed committees to carry on with educational works on conservation.  Election for the District Board was held August 18, 1948.  Elected were:  Rueben Youngerberg, Walter Rosenthal, and Earnest Marquardt.  Arnold Keller and Ray Dinneen were appointed by the State Committee.  Their first Board Meeting was held September 7, 1948, electing Arnold Keller as Chairman, Walter Rosenthal as Vice Chairman and Ray Dinneed as Secretary-Treasurer.

Soil Surveys were started in the fall of 1948 with a total of 5,280 acres completed for conservation planning.  On January 10, 1949, Joe Gabiou of the Soil Conservation Service was assigned to assist farmers in conservation plans.  On February 2, 1949, the first Soil Conservation Office was opened to the public in Dr. Falk's Building in Waseca.  On December 19, 1960, an approval to change the name to the Waseca Soil and Water Conservation District and adopted February 27, 1961 by the State of Minnesota.  Throughout the years, the Waseca SWCD has been active in aiding and implementing many conservation practices.  Examples of these practices are Windbreaks, Terraces, Wildlife Plantings, Stockwater Pits, Contour Strips, Tile Layouts, Waterways, RIM, CREP, WRP and Easement Construction and Control Dams, Water Monitoring.  We are proud of the past measures taken in preserving our soils and water in Waseca County and strive to continue conserving our land for future generations. 

After 17 years of being located in the Suburban Furniture Building at 105 22 Avenue NE, the Waseca SWCD moved it offices January 1, 2021 to the Waseca Courthouse Annex at 300 North State Street.  Our entrance is on the south side of the building, Door 4. 

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75 Year History Slide Show
click above to see History of Waseca SWCD

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75th Anniversary Luncheon & Open House

The Waseca SWCD held a 75th Luncheon for all past and present Supervisors & Employees and their spouses on September 7, 2023 at the Waseca American Legion.  The luncheon and program were held from 12:00 to 1:00.  The Open House was held from 1:00 to 3:00.  There were 34 in attendance for the luncheon with an additional 16 attending the open house.   Wayne Cords, Waseca SWCD Chairman opened the Program with a welcome to all and brief talk on the beginning of the SWCD.  Next were Jill Sackett Eberhart and Dave Copeland from BWSR (Board of Water and Soil Resources) who presented the SWCD a plaque highlighting 75 years of serving Waseca County. Jessica Beske of NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) gave a talk on how NRCS and SWCD work hand in hand in Waseca County.  Chairman Wayne Cords also presented Jackie Peters and son Dave Peters  on behalf of Jurgen Peters with the Conservation Farmer Award. The Open House brought about conversations from interested citizens on conservation topics and some reminiscing about the  changes over the years in conservation practices.
​Below are some of the highlights of the event.  Double Click on the picture to see the captions for each.