The Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts recently announced eight area finalists for its state Outstanding Conservation Award that will be presented at the organization’s annual awards luncheon Dec. 10.

Selected as finalists are:

Northwest area 1. Todd and Michelle Andresen, Detroit Lakes; nominated by Becker SWCD

West central area 2. Schueler Farms, Sherman and Kevin Schueler; Willmar, nominated by Kandiyohi SWCD

Northeast area 3. Warren Tester, Andover; nominated by Carlton SWCD

Metro area 4. City of Waconia Public Services Department; nominating by Carver SWCD

Southwest area 5. Tom Hansen, Windom; nominated by Cottonwood SWCD

South-central area 6. Linder Family Farms, Andy and Don Linder, Easton; nominated by Faribault SWCD

Southeast area 7. Joan Heim Welch, Brownsville; nominated by Root River SWCD

North-central area 8. Ron Meyer, Pequot Lakes; nominated by Crow Wing SWCD

The MASWCD conservation awards program recognizes individuals, conservation organizations and others for noteworthy accomplishments with implementing conservation practices and improving Minnesota’s natural resources. The Farmer magazine has helped sponsor the program since the 1970s.

A MASWCD awards committee reviewed dozens of county SWCD nominations for the area and state conservation awards. Each SWCD that is a member of MASWCD is eligible to participate in the awards program and to offer a nomination. Each local SWCD Outstanding Conservationist will receive a special certificate, plus area finalists will be presented with engraved award plaques. One area finalist will be named the state winner and will receive a framed, engraved conservation print.

Awards will be presented during the Outstanding Conservationist luncheon Dec. 10, held in conjunction with the MASWCD 2019 Annual Convention, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington.