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Casey's new brand eliminates 'general store'

Workers from Indigo Signs spent three days last week changing the Casey’s General Store signage to a basic red and white color on the South Highway 75 store in Luverne. According to the Casey’s website, the Luverne store is one of more than 2,200 locations to drop “general store” from its official name along with the yellow and black painted barn logo. The new rebrand comes from customer surveys in 2020 where people did not understand what a general store is and view Casey’s as a convenience store, gas station and pizzeria. Workers completed the work March 8-10 before moving to rebrand the Casey’s in Pipestone.

Nielsen places fifth at NCAA wrestling champions, calls it a 'perfect ending'

Luverne High School graduate Solomon Nielsen earned his third All-American honor Saturday during the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championship.
Crowds in the Alliant Energy PowerHouse chanted, “Thank You, Solo,” when he accepted his fifth-place trophy during the ceremony in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Tony Valek, who recruited Nielsen to Augsburg University in Minneapolis after the LHS wrestler graduated in 2017, watched the awards ceremony as the chanting began.
“The reaction from his teammates and the Augsburg wrestling extended family of parents, alumni and fans on the podium when they chanted ‘Thank you, Solo’ and at the social following the championship definitely was not common,” Valek said.
Nielsen, a fifth-year senior, fell short of the goal he set for himself this season of a Division III NCAA Wrestling Championship title, but he came away from the weekend tournament with more than a fifth-place trophy.
“I didn’t feel disappointed at all,” said Nielsen who competed at 174 pounds.
“I wanted to accomplish my goal but accepted the fact that it was my last time competing and to enjoy my love for the sport.”
He won both his bouts Friday night before losing the next two, which dropped him into the bout for the fifth-place trophy.
Nielsen, grandson of Ann and Jerry Rigney, Luverne, said he heard the crowd’s chanting.
“It made my experience so much better. I’ve put so much into the program, and I am satisfied with how much I achieved throughout my career,” he said, “They have given me so much in return — it was a perfect ending.”
Coach Valek said Nielsen’s final match in the All-American round was his favorite moment that weekend when three other Augsburg athletes were also crowned as All-Americans.
“Solo ended his wrestling career with a pin in the last second of his NCAA All-American placing match,” Valek said.
“I’ll be even more proud to see him walk across the graduation stage and receive his diploma this spring.”
Nielsen said he is finishing an internship in the classroom at Burnsville High School, the last requirement for his physical education degree.
After working in the Twin Cities this summer, he hopes to begin a teaching and coaching career, his ultimate goal.
Nielsen will be an example for other wrestlers to follow.
“The Augsburg University (Minneapolis) wrestling program has produced 268 All-Americans in our program’s history, and Solo will go down as one of our most well-liked and appreciated because of the way he treats his teammates and everyone he comes in contact with,” Valek said.
“Solomon is a perfect example of a student-athlete, which is what NCAA D3 athletics is all about.”

H-BC Elementary students learn even pennies can have big impact

Kindergarten through fifth-grade students at Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School learned that even pennies can have a positive impact in their community.
As a school, students raised $1,676.09 over a three-week period in February and donated the money to Game Plan 4 Hope in Hills.
In Penny War fundraising, students deposit pennies and paper money in their classroom’s collection box while sabotaging other boxes with silver coins.
Second-grade teachers Danielle Kneip and Renee Edmundson organized the event as part of the school’s monthly Lift Off assembly program. This year’s theme is “Soaring with Kindness.”
Each month, a grade level completes a special group activity.
Kneip and Edmondson chose to conduct the schoolwide Penny War for their February activity. Thoughts of Valentine’s Day were blended with lessons of kindness and hope by giving to a local organization.
“It was the most giving and moving event,” Edmundson said. “It was so cool.”
Students embraced the strategy of positive and negative points during the Penny War.
“So many of the kids took money out of their own piggy banks,” Kneip said, “or asked their grandparents (for paper money).”
Students in the classroom with the highest point total receive a prize — a can of silly string to spray on Principal Todd Holthaus during a special award assembly.
Security Savings Bank staff in Hills counted the pennies and unveiled results at the assembly.
Fourth-graders won the Penny War with 7,284 points. Fifth-graders finished with a point total of a negative 806 points.
“They (fifth grade) raised the most money but ended up in last place,” Edmundson said. “The fourth-graders just kind of got overlooked.”
Game Plan 4 Hope organizers Heather Erickson and Missy Bass received the check during a Feb. 28 presentation.
“We were so amazed at the excitement and passion the students put into this fundraiser,” Erickson said.
“Since both of our sons, Trenton and Ethan, were students at H-BC Elementary, it held a special place in our hearts to see them want to help others. Our vision for Game Plan 4 Hope were that our sons’ stories would inspire others to reach out and give hope and support when people are in need.”
Trenton Bass, at the time a high school senior at H-BC, was injured during a football game in 2017, leaving him a quadriplegic.
Ethan Erickson died from leukemia at age 12 in 2019.
Together the families formed the nonprofit organization, Game Plan 4 Hope, as a way to support families who are in despair following a life-changing event.
The group focuses on directional, spiritual, emotional, as well as physical needs.
The money raised by the elementary students will purchase comfort items given to patients and their families while going through treatment or spending time in the hospital.
At the assembly, Erickson and Bass told their sons’ stories and the mission behind Game Plan 4 Hope.
They left the elementary students and staff with an important message.
“I wanted them to know how sharing some of their earnings will make a difference in the lives of others,” Erickson said.
“Giving can be so rewarding, and I could see the pride on those faces.”

'Welcome to Beaver Creek'

The city of Beaver Creek will soon have new “Welcome to Beaver Creek” signs at two community entrances.
Andrew Blank has been working on the project and brought three design options to the Beaver Creek City Council meeting Wednesday, March 9, for consideration.
All three designs featured sketches of a beaver and a “Welcome to Beaver Creek” message, but council members ultimately chose one with neutral colors and a larger image of the beaver.
The other two versions had smaller sketches that might not be visible to passing motorists, and the lettering was blue and red, which they associated with Hills-Beaver Creek School District’s blue and red colors.
“I think you should stay away from that, just for the simple fact that this is just Beaver Creek,” Blank said.
“I’m a Patriot, my kids are Patriots, I’m all for Patriots, but this is one thing that we can really own that is ours.”
He’s been fundraising to offset costs for the city and so far has approached local business owners about donating between $25 and $100 toward the community welcome signs.
“I had really good response, actually, from a lot of them,” Blank said. “I had them look at the three options, asked them to initial the ones they liked the most.”
Most of them liked the design with the larger beaver sketch and the neutral colors.
“I like that one, too,” said council member Pat Bender. “That really stands out to me also.”
Blank initially proposed two signs, but considering the angle of County Road 4, he suggested a V-sign would be visible to both eastbound and westbound motorists.
Dysthe suggested a two-sided sign rather than a V-sign at that location. He said this would cover the supports on the back sides of the signs and they would share the same posts, which would be easier to mow around.
At an earlier meeting council had initially approved two signs at approximately $1,000 to $1,400, but a third sign would increase costs to over $1,400, possibly up to $2,000.
Blank said he believed there was adequate support in the community to raise funds for the signs, and the city could publicly recognize the donors after the signs are up.
The council voted to approve the three signs in the design with neutral colors and the larger beaver sketch.
Quality Printing can complete the signs in 10 days once the council gives the nod to begin printing. They’ll be erected once the ground thaws enough for posts to go up.
The 4-by-8 outdoor, hard surface signs have a reputation of lasting roughly 10 years.
“Thank you for doing this, Andrew,” Bender said. “It’s very nice. They do good work at Quality Printing. These are really nice. We’re lucky to have them.”

LHS exchange student shares perspective on war in Ukraine

Former exchange student Stepan Orletskyy told Luverne High School Principal Ryan Johnson that he and his family are safe for now, but he’s apprehensive about the future of his home in Ukraine.
“I am afraid of Russian troops coming here — there will be huge damage to my town, and we are not a safe place anymore,” Orletskyy said in a Zoom conversation March 3.
“Now it is a safe place, and a lot of people came and many of us are afraid more people will be killed because they gathered here.”
The Russian military began a full-scale invasion of Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, on Feb. 24.
Orletskyy’s home is in Luzhany, an urban settlement of about 4,800 people near Chernivtsi, about 337 miles to the south and west of the capital.
“They (Russia) actually started attacking us eight years ago when they occupied Crimea and the southeast regions of Ukraine,” Orletskyy said. “It wasn’t like actual war. It wasn’t as bad as it is right now.”
The actual bombing and gun fire in Kyiv are an attempt to control the capital and install a government sympathetic to Russian interests.
Orletskyy said Russian sympathizers who primarily live in eastern Ukraine are led to believe the Russian invasion is “saving Ukraine from itself.”
“It actually sounds ridiculous,” Orletskyy said. “Why would Urkraine — our country tries its best to work on infrastructure, to work on different citizen projects to become a greater country, to become a part of the European Union — attack itself and ruin everything we’ve been working on for years?”
Orletskyy said he and others in Ukraine are uncertain about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions, but he has suspicions about why the Russian military would seize the Ukrainian capital.
“Russia is a huge country and they don’t use all potential they have there,” Orletskyy said. “They try to get more land …. and occupy Kyiv, our capital, so he can put down our government and place his own rules on our land and so on.”
The fighting, instead, has united people in Luzhany, Orletskyy said, and they support current Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“He was an actor/comedian before he became president and a lot of people didn’t believe an actor could be a great president,” he said.
“They admire him, respect him … because he would not leave Ukraine. He will stay in Kyiv and try his best to solve the situation. A lot of people changed their minds and believe in him and hope he will make everything end this war soon.”
The U.N. reports more than 1,300 civilian casualties have occurred since the invasion began three weeks ago.
University students like Orletskyy no longer attend college classes, and the city is under a curfew banning anyone on the streets from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The equivalent of the National Guard patrols the streets during the overnight hours.
“They will protect us before the more experienced and qualified Army will come here and protect us,” Orletskyy said.
His family is also helping those fleeing the fighting in Kyiv.
“In my house we have prepared some rooms for people. If they like to stay with us, they are welcome,” he said.
“In my local school, we have made special nets for military objects so they can be covered by those and it would be hard to see them.”
As of Saturday, Orletskyy said his school will begin distance learning and businesses are beginning to reopen.
Orletskyy was a FLEX (Future Leaders EXchange) student during the 2019-20 school year when the pandemic prompted distance learning in March.
He returned home a few weeks later but said his U.S. experience was favorable, albeit short.
“I would be really happy to come to Luverne again,” Orletskyy said.
He said those who are interested in helping could check with the Ukrainian Embassy in the U.S. for information about what resources are needed for the Ukrainian residents to reclaim their country.

City offers assistance for website development

Help is on the way for local businesses seeking to improve their online presence.
At Monday’s meeting of the Luverne Economic Development Authority, director Holly Sammons proposed a new program to help businesses develop or improve their websites.
She told the LEDA board that a business’s online presence is as important as its “brick and mortar” presence, but many small operators struggle with website development.
“It can be overwhelming, time-consuming and intimidating,” Sammons said. “In the ever-evolving world of technology, businesses need an online presence to remain relevant and visible to their customers.”
When working with new businesses, Sammons said they often have questions about starting a website, especially since the pandemic’s impact on small businesses.
“It is now more important than ever before for businesses to have an online presence, engage with their customers, and be able to market their goods and services online to earn revenue outside of the traditional brick and mortar store,” Sammons said in her report to the board.
“This presents an opportunity for the LEDA to provide some financial assistance and professional services to business owners by helping them establish a website.”
She recommended a Website Development Program to connect business owners with a local professional website developer to set up web pages for them.
The program offers a startup grant for new and existing businesses to establish a website with the understanding that they’ll be responsible for maintaining and managing their website going forward.
 
LEDA partners with Luverne website developer for program
Sammons recommended working with Luverne’s Brock and Ashley Benson who started Benson Tech Solutions in 2019.
“They understood what our goals were in helping a business get a website established,” she said.
“Just as important is the ability to maintain it and have it be relevant within their budget in the scope of their business and workload.”
With bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science, the Bensons have a combined six years of professional software development experience and three years of business ownership.
They specialize in creating and maintaining websites with mobile-responsive layouts, analytics, social media integration, monthly maintenance and email accounts.
Websites they’ve developed for local companies include Quality Printing and Sterling’s Grille and Café.
Mary Brown with her bridal boutique, First Comes Love, was the first business to try the LEDA website program.
 
How the LEDA website assistance works
The standard multi-page website costs about $1,200 to set up, along with a $60 monthly maintenance fee.
The LEDA program offers a $750 grant to help cover a portion of the initial setup costs.
A 50-percent down payment is required to begin developing a website, as well as an agreement to pay the monthly hosting fee going forward.
Any additional services would be the business owner’s responsibility.
The LEDA will assist businesses with gathering all necessary information and files during the in-take and application process to ensure an efficient setup process once the content is turned over to the website developer.
Sammons said each business has its own unique goals for its website. Some want to sell and ship products, but in Brown’s case, she wanted to showcase gowns and encourage shoppers to set up appointments.
Defining a goal is part of the “story brand worksheet” businesses need to complete before meeting with the website developers.
“My hope is to streamline the process and make sure that when businesses are ready to start a website, they’re prepared,” Sammons said.
This would include a call to action, photographs, a brand, a logo, content and examples of websites they like.
“Simply packaging that initial starting content will hopefully maximize their time and efficiencies building their website to get a nice turnaround on it,” she said.
Only Luverne businesses and organizations qualify for the LEDA website assistance program.
It’s for new or existing businesses who want to start a new website or improve an existing online presence.
 
Important part of economic development
Sammons said website support is no different from other city programs that help entrepreneurs and small local businesses.
“In addition to the financial assistance, the structured process and professional partnerships have proven to be helpful for local businesses,” Sammons reported to the LEDA Monday.
She listed the Historic Facade Improvement Program, the Sign Design Program and the Logo Design program as examples of successful supports for businesses.
“These programs have offered technical assistance and professional expertise to our local businesses.”
Mayor Pat Baustian praised Sammons’ proposal at Monday’s meeting.
“Holly, you have done a phenomenal job of understanding the website development from start to finish,” he said.
“Working with Brock and Ashley and a local presence is an immense opportunity for our businesses. … It’s direct economic help for our community at relatively low cost, and we’re supporting a local [web developer]. What an opportunity for both sides!”
The LEDA board approved a resolution at Monday’s meeting to establish the website program as presented.

Thawing, freezing, ... frosting

After several days of below-normal temperatures, Monday began a week of thawing and above-normal temperatures that indicated spring is coming.
 
Tuesday morning dawned with fog and a covering of frost on fencelines and grasses, and when the sun broke through, the artistic effects were revealed. These images were captured north of Beaver Creek at Palisade Prairie Cemetery along County Road 5.

H-BC expands preschool offering for 2022-23

For the next school year, parents of preschoolers ages 4 and 5 will have another learning option for their children at the Little Patriot Academy in Beaver Creek.
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board approved expanding their community education offerings Monday night to include a half-day, five-days-a-week preschool option.
The program will be a pilot for the 2022-23 school year.
“This is definitely a onetime thing, and we’ll see how it works out,” said Board Chairman Arlyn Gehrke.
The added afternoon option will double the current preschool budget from $39,991 to $81,352 for the nine-month program.
A program deficit of $27,701 is expected, and the district will apply for ESSR funds to cover a portion of the added cost.
Superintendent Todd Holthaus said he was very conservative with the budget numbers, indicating the deficit amount could change if enrollment numbers are higher than estimated.
Currently 31 children are enrolled in the two preschool offerings at the Little Patriot Academy. Nine students are estimated to enroll in the new five-day program, with 16 choosing one of the two original class offerings.
Registration for the new preschool offering begins next week.
H-BC will continue the two-day 3- and 4-year-old preschool classes and the three-day 4- and 5-year-old classes that are now offered in the afternoon. For the 2022-23 school year, these classes will be conducted in the morning.
Tuition will increase, as approved by board members. Board member Tim Bosch was absent.
Tuition for the two-day Tuesday/Thursday option increases from $90 per month to $105. The three-day Monday/ Wednesday/Friday option increases from $110 to $125 per month.
Monthly cost for the new five-day preschool option is $195.
Transportation is available for all three classes, with costs ranging from $30 to $75 per month.
In other business, the H-BC board:
•purchased a 2023 IC 77-passenger bus for $103,000 with delivery expected this fall. The new bus will be purchased through ESSR dollars.
•approved hiring TeamWorks International of Centerville to complete an enrollment and demographics study at a cost of $3,500.
•hired Melanie Kruse as a special education teacher for the 2022-23 school year at a salary of $48,423.
•changed the start time of the March 28 school board meeting from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. due to the elementary band and vocal concert.

Community calendar March 17, 2022

Meetings
Compassionate Friends will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 21, at the Luverne Area Community Foundation Office next to the Palace Theatre. The group provides support, understanding and hope to grieving parents and grandparents after a child dies — of any age and any cause. The meetings are free, confidential and open to anyone interested. Call 605-254-2072 or email pat.saum@gmail.com
Town and Country Garden Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at the Presbyterian Church Friendship Room for a program on propagating plants. Call 507-597-6378 for more information.
 
Library hosts Farm Week
Rock County Farm Bureau and the Rock County Library have teamed up for “Farm Week at the Library” March 21-25 to celebrate local farmers.
•Monday, March 21: Giveaways and forms given out for the coloring contest. Patrons are encouraged to bring in farm toys and/or wear farm shirts and tell library staff about the items.
•Tuesday, March 22: Farm scavenger hunt at the library.
•Wednesday, March 23, at 10:30 a.m. story time with special guest and local farmer Peter Bakken.
•Thursday, March 24, at 4 p.m. farm movie “Charlotte’s Web,” a 94-minute animated movie. Snacks are provided.
•Friday, March 25, at 10:30 a.m. story time with Bronwyn. Coloring contest winners will be announced along with book giveaway winners.
 
Free food for seniors March 17
A.C.E. of SW MN will offer Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS) 60 and older from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 17, in a drive-through format in the parking lot at 319 E. Lincoln, Luverne. Household income guidelines have changed. Call Linda Wenzel at 283-5064 for more information. Pre-registration is required.
 
New Life offers food at ATLAS March 17
New Life Celebration Church’s third Thursday monthly food giveaway is now at the ATLAS building at 101 W. Maple Street in Luverne. The next distribution is at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17.
Enter from Maple Street and stay along the WEST side of the building. (Do not block the Redeemed Remnants parking lot.) Food will be loaded into vehicles which will then exit via the alley going WEST toward Estey Street. Call 507-283-4366 with questions.
 
Community Ed seeks info by March 21
The summer Luverne Community Education brochure will be published in May, and those with ideas for requests for classes should email li.nath@isd2184.net or call 283-4724. Those wishing to teach a class or update information for class should email c.arends@isd2184.net.
All information is due by March 21. The most recent brochure (and past brochures) is at www.isd2184.net under the Community Education tab.
 
Kindergarten Round-Up is March 24
Luverne Kindergarten Round-Up will be from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at the Luverne Elementary School. Parents and children will participate in an informal “meet and greet” open house. A staggered schedule is as follows:
•5:30 to 6 p.m. for last names beginning with A-G
•6 to 6:30 for last names beginning with H-M
•6:30 to 7 for N-Z
Children must be 5 years old before Sept. 1, 2022, to register for kindergarten. Call 507-283-4497 with questions.
 
‘More than Sad’ suicide information March 28
Cassie Linkenmeyer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will be in Luverne again from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 28, at Luverne Community Education. Parents, educators and students will learn how to recognize signs of depression and other mental health problems, initiate conversations and get help. Register by calling 507-283-4742. Fee is $5.
 
Free tax prep at library
AARP volunteers offer free tax preparation for low-income individuals and seniors at the Rock County Library on Mondays through April 15. Call 507-449-5040 for appointments. Bring documents, including last year’s tax return, and a form of identification to document social security number. Masks are required.
 
Mobile dental clinics scheduled
Mobile dental clinics will be in Luverne Wednesday, April 6 and Thursday, April 7, at the Rock County Health and Human Services community room.
These clinics provide dental care for adults and children ages infant through 100. Call 612-746-1530 to schedule an appointment. All forms of insurance accepted. The clinics are organized by the #Luv1LuvAll initiative, Rock County Oral Health Task Force.
 
Community Ed
Call Cindy at Luverne Community Education, 507-283-4724, to register for classes. Community Ed’s website is www.isd2184.net, select Luverne Community Education under schools.
Students in grades K-12 can sign up now for summer community ed T-ball, baseball or softball before March 28. Fees are lower in March and this ensures placement on a team.
Children ages 2-5 with parent will enjoy Open Gym on March 18. There is no fee, but registration is required.
 
Rock County Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com
The 2022 Winter Reading Program, “Catch a Keeper at your Library,” is currently under way and goes through March 31. Read or listen to 12 books checked out from the Rock County Library and win a fabulous prize. Winter Reading Bingo will also be played. Bingo sheets are available now at the library.
Story Time with Bronwyn is at 10:30 a.m. Fridays through April 29.
Bring your creative selves to Bad Art Night at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at Take 16, and compete to see who can make the worst piece of art with provided supplies. The less artistic ability you have, the better. Prizes will be awarded.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration begins at 6 p.m.
Reminiscence Kits are available featuring various topics such as gardening, pets, baking, sewing, farming and hunting. The kits are designed to use with a loved one experiencing memory loss, encouraging the loved one to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
 
Sanford Health accepting scholarships
Students in select Sanford Health Network locations are invited to apply for a health network scholarship. The $2,000 scholarships are for students pursuing a post-secondary degree in a health care-related field. Each participating Sanford network facility will sponsor one student with a scholarship. Email educationalassistance@sanfordhealth.org for info.
 
Goehle gym open Sundays through March 27
The Hugo Goehle gymnasium in Hills is open for public recreation from 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays now through March 27.
 
Online mental health classes continue
NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will offer free online mental health classes in February. The classes are designed for family members and caregivers, persons living with mental illness, service providers and also for the general public. Go to namimn.org and click on “classes.”
 
A.C.E. respite care available, volunteers needed
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota (A.C.E.) offers respite care services in Rock County for those needing a break from caring for a loved one.
The respite program offers short-term (1-3 hours), temporary care for families and caregivers by providing a brief period of reprieve from the daily cares they provide to their loved one.
Volunteers provide non-professional supportive services to caregivers to give them time for themselves, relieve their stress and help them remain healthy.
Respite care volunteers are also needed. Trained A.C.E. volunteers provide respite care to family caregivers of adults age 60 and older who are suffering from long-term health conditions.
Contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064 or ace.rock@co.rock.mn.us.
 
Nominations sought for Rock County Hall of Fame
The Rock County Historical Society’s Hall of Fame Committee is seeking nominations for the 2022 induction of current and former residents.
Nominees must have a significant identity with Rock County and have made an exceptional contribution to society, achieved exceptional success, and brought honor and prestige beyond the borders of Minnesota.
Nominations are accepted now through Feb. 28, 2022. Forms are available at The History Center, Luverne Area Chamber or online at www.rockcountyhistorical.com or www.luvernechamber.com. An awards presentation is scheduled for July 17, 2022.

Bos earns state rural water recognition

The Minnesota Rural Water Association (MRWA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently honored Luverne’s Doug Bos at the association’s annual technical conference.
Doug Bos of the Rock County Soil & Water Conservation District received the state Large Public Water Supply System Source Water Protection Award for his role in protecting the Rock County Rural Water wellhead protection area.
The award is given annually to recognize the importance and value of source water protection efforts in Minnesota and to recognize individuals, public water systems and organizations that have shown long-term commitment, initiative, leadership, sharing of successes and initiation or participation in activities that result in protecting or improving their source water.
Bos wears many hats in Rock County, serving as county feedlot officer, conservation technician, Disaster Recovery Assistance Program coordinator and Rock County Comprehensive Local Water Plan coordinator.
Among other duties, he also handles competitive grant writing for the district and coordinates surface and groundwater monitoring and modeling programs.
Bos has been instrumental in obtaining funding and assisting with easements and agriculture Best Management Practices (BMPs) within the Rock County Rural Water Wellhead Protection Area.
He helped secure over 900 acres of perpetual easements to reduce nitrate loading to the aquifer.
According to MRWA officials, he worked diligently to educate and secure funds for local farmers and co-ops so they could implement agriculture BMPs.
Bos has hosted numerous field trips and meetings with state agencies to ensure decision-makers understand the importance of drinking water protection.
“Doug has been an important voice in southwest Minnesota, helping to make sure drinking water protection is included in planning efforts,” MRWA officials wrote in announcing Bos’s award.
“Congratulations to Doug Bos for his fine efforts toward protecting the drinking water supply.”

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