By Lori Ehde
John Burgers has long been a shining star among Rock County employees, known for his enthusiasm and dedication to his job.
He started working for Rock County's Soil and Water Conservation District in 1992, and in 1994 earned state recognition for bringing local feedlot operations into compliance.
The Minnesota County Achievement Award recognized Rock County's inter-agency feedlot program as an innovation that "improved the quality of life for people in Minnesota."
At the time, livestock producers were fearful of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, which was enforcing new feedlot management guidelines.
They feared MPCA fines, but many were unable to afford the necessary construction to bring their feedlots into compliance.
Serving as a liaison between producers and the state, Burgers sought funding support and provided technical know-how to get the work done.
In addition, he established a feedlot ordinance for new construction or expansion of existing operations that became a template for counties statewide that were also balancing agribusiness and environmental concerns.
In 1995, Burgers' feedlot work earned him further state recognition as the "Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District Employee."
In addition to his successful feedlot management program, the award recognized him for implementing a county water plan, managing water quality improvements and stabilizing funding for soil and water conservation.
Many of his co-workers nominated him for that award. "John has worked many hours outside the normal duty hour to assist producers," FSA director Roger Carson wrote.
Extension Educator Fraser Norton wrote, "John is one of those truly gifted individuals with tremendous 'people skills.' ... His achievements in Rock County will forever bear testimony to his unwavering will to serve."
By 1996 Burgers was named director of Rock County's newly established Land Management Office. By that time his can-do reputation was known both locally and statewide.
"Our impression of John's work has always been favorable. He was always very good to work with," said Mark Jacobs of the MPCA office in Marshall.
"He was supportive of the program and its rules and statutes. I enjoyed working with him."
Burgers bridged the gap between livestock producers and MPCA officials.
"John is regarded as one of the top people in his field," said Luverne farmer Tom Arends, who describes himself as a "John Burgers fan."
"You can call anyone in the county and they'll tell you the same thing. He has more common sense than anyone I've ever met in that industry. That's what John shined in," Arends said Monday, following the news of the indictments.
"There's a lot of times people get disgusted to put in a lot of money on pollution control. He had a way of handling that that was second to none."
Arends compared the news of Burgers' indictments to the news of the East Coast terrorist attacks.
"These are the things that hurt you deeply," he said. "This was John's life. He did a good job."