Blane Nagel and his family have been raising registered beef cattle and farming in Bon Homme County for 30+ years. Blane actively takes care of his grassland pastures utilizing rotational grazing and prescribed fire to keep the native rangeland healthy. Their operation also incorporates cover crops and cattle grazing on cropland to improve soil health. Over the years they have planted shelterbelts and installed erosion control structures. The Nagel family is well deserving of the 2020 Bon Homme County Conservation District Farmer of the Year Award.

Dave and Mary Walkes have been Ag producers in Bon Homme County for many years. They have a heart for educating young people. Each year they have local high school students out for a tour of Mary’s intensive rotational grazing system. They are expanding into regenerative agriculture and try unique approaches to maximize environmental benefits, including running free range chickens with the cattle in their pastures. They have also expanded into organic hay production, and installed ponds and terraces to hold rainwater. Dave and Mary Walkes are the Bon Homme Conservation District Farmer of the Year for 2021.

Mark Rohlfing is the District Conservationist for the Natural Resource Conservation Service. Mark joined the Tyndall Office in March of 2007, since then he has educated the landowners on the conservation practices and the technical side of taking care of the land. Mark is involved with educating the youth on gun safety, hunting, and appreciating the outdoors. Passionate about conservation and natural resources, Mark shares his knowledge to help producers understand and to assist with the situation. For these efforts Mark is the recipient of the Bon Homme County 2020 Endowment Award.

Josh Pesek, County Executive Director for the FSA, is the Bon Homme County 2021 Endowment Honoree. Josh is very deserving of this recognition because of his dedication to implementing conservation on the land. He operates his farm with conservation at the forefront of all he does. Josh was the lead CRP person in the FSA office, his passion for conservation practices gave him a strong voice with numerous landowners. Josh has been very willing to take part in conservation workshops and tours to help promote rotational grazing, cover crops, no-till practices, and wetland restorations for benefits of the wildlife with integrated cattle management. Josh’s love for the land makes him a role model for his family and community.

James Koenig strongly believes in locally-led conservation to conserve all natural resources for future generations. In 1990 he became a supervisor of the Bon Homme County Conservation District. He brings a quiet and calm demeanor to the board meetings, but can be very stern if he needs to get his point across, all without using a lot of words. His financial knowledge has been a great benefit to the conservation district. He shares with many people in his community many methods of taking care of your lawn, weeds, and trees with every day common non-toxic supplies. Congratulations to James Koenig for being selected the Conservation District Official of the Year.

The Bon Homme Conservation District would like to wish District Manager Peg Haenfler a very happy retirement! We would also like to introduce everyone to the new District Manager, Molly Hauck.

As another year comes to an end and the start of a new, the Bon Homme Conservation District Manager Molly Hauck and Supervisors Stanley Schuch, Stanley Hieb, James Koenig, David Walloch, and Larry DeJong, wish to acknowledge and appreciate all the operators in Bon Homme County for their support and continued cooperation in 2021. We look forward to working with all of you in 2022 as we work together to protect and conserve our natural resources. Also, thank you to the sponsors of the Bon Homme Conservation Quarterly Report, the Avon Clarion, Tyndall Tribune, Springfield Times and Scotland Journal for their support in promoting conservation resources on our land, water and environment.

The District’s successful conservation program is the result of a community effort. Our genuine thanks to the agencies, county commissioners, individuals, legislators and organizations for their support and assistance in helping carry out the district’s conservation programs each year. The work of conservation never ends. It is the district’s mission to ensure a sound resource base for present and future generations endures and to conserve, develop and enhance South Dakota’s natural resources and environment for the benefit of all.

Bon Homme Conservation District Board of Supervisors & Employees

Stanley Schuch

James Koenig

Stanley Hieb

Larry Dejong

David Walloch

District Manager Molly Hauck

NRCS Employees

Mark Rohlfing, District Conservationist

Nate Cirillo, Soil Conservationist

Tyler Rafter, Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist