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We would like to thank everyone for a successful planting this spring. We planted 50 acres of grass, 15 acres of trees, and laid 20,720 feet of fabric. Thank you to our field workers Arlyn Ploen and Bob Rada and our fabric crew Nick Souhrada, Isaiah Crownover, Caden Zomer, Cale Cooper, Alex Adler, and Eagan Hudson for making this year great! To the Bon Homme County Commissioners and supporting county residents, On behalf of the Bon Homme Conservation District Board, we would like to sincerely thank you for your continued support. Your contribution is greatly appreciated and will help us maintain reasonable pricing for the residents of Bon Homme County. Thank you again for your partnership and commitment to conser vat ion i n ou r community. Sincerely, T h e B o n H o m m e Conservation District Board Tree Planting 2026 Now is the time to begin planning your tree planting for next spring. P repa r i ng to pl a nt a shelterbelt involves several important decisions. You may be eligible to qualify for funding through programs that offer different cost-share rates. Feel free to call or visit the conservation office — we’re here to help you plan and support your shelterbelt project every step of the way. 6ft Truax Drill The Conservation District now has a 6ft drill for all your small grass seeding needs. This is perfect for planting grass in tree belts or small area seeding’s. Contact Molly at the conservation district if you have any questions about renting or full service drilling. (Insert Picture Drill) Tree fabric maintenance Use of weed barrier fabric in tree plantings can greatly improve tree growth and survival, while reducing labor for weed control. However, weed barrier fabric should NOT be considered a “plant them and ignore them” practice. Check the fabric opening around the trees to ensure that the fabric is not chafing against the bark (caused by fabric billowing in the wind). Bark damage can kill the tree. Secure the fabric by placing staples 6 inches away from the seedling to prevent this. Tree growth can fill the opening in the fabric before the fabric deteriorates, thus causing the fabric to girdle the tree. This may result in the death of the tree or shrub. The fabric lasts longer than anticipated (20+ years) and holes around the trees will need to be enlarged (or the fabric removed) as the tree develops to prevent damage. If you are proactive and maintain your tree planting, it will be a success. Bon Homme County Pheasants Forever Employee We would like to introduce everyone to Chloe Wiersema, the new Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist located in the USDA Service Center in Tyndall. She serves Parkston, Lake Andes, and Yankton. After receiving a Wildlife and Fisheries degree from SDSU in the spring of ’24, she started her new position as a biologist in late September that same year. She is excited to work in this county for any of your conservation needs. If you need any assistance, stop by and she’d be happy to help! (Insert Picture Chloe) District Supervisors David Walloch, Chairman Larry DeJong, Vice Chairman David Sutera, Treasurer Ross Hudson, Supervisor Stacy Frank, Supervisor Mol ly Hauck, District Manager NRCS Personnel Mark Rohlfing, District Conservationist Chloe Wiersema, Pheasants Forever All services and programs are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, age, national orig in, gender, rel ig ion, mar ita l /fami ly status, sexual orientation or disability status.