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Contact: Mary Juhl; mary.juhl@state.mn.us, 612-358-5733

December 3, 2024

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) Assistant Director for Regional Operations Justin Hanson presented Cottonwood Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Administrator Kay Gross with the 2024 Outstanding SWCD Administrator award today during the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ (MASWCD) annual convention in Bloomington.

“It’s an honor to recognize the accomplishments of professionals like Kay Gross, who work tirelessly to improve water quality and advance conservation priorities in their districts,” said BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke. “The passion and commitment demonstrated by local government staff is what drives successful conservation efforts throughout Minnesota.”

Gross has led the Cottonwood SWCD’s work as its administrator for 36 years. She has served as the administrative coordinator for the Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance (GBERBA) since 2006 and has led the Southwest Prairie Technical Service Area (TSA 5) as its administrator since 2015. In her role with GBERBA, Gross secured and oversaw more than 40 grants totaling more than $9.7 million. She also played an integral role in hiring a training coordinator for staff in the TSA 5 area, who has trained more than 70 technicians since 2017.

This year, Gross and her team tapped a Soil Health Staffing Grant from BWSR to launch a soil health mentoring program for producers in TSA 5. The mentors — a mix of farmers with soil health experience and agricultural consultants such as crop specialists and agronomists — work with farmers to offer advice and tailor projects to fit the specific needs of their operations. She helped coordinate soil health-related outreach efforts for GBERBA watersheds, which involves producing short videos for producers and posting signs with active QR codes near fields that demonstrate common soil health practices. That work is still in progress and nearing completion.

“Kay Gross has demonstrated excellence in her ability to recognize deficiencies and needs within various organizations, come up with unique and creative solutions, and make those solutions a reality,” said Becky Buchholz, Cottonwood SWCD Farm Bill assistant and program technician. “She is a tremendous asset to her local Cottonwood district, and to the greater Minnesota conservation organizations she serves.”

Each year, BWSR celebrates the excellent work accomplished by local government staff to advance conservation efforts across the state. An award for Outstanding Watershed Organization Employee will be presented later this week at the Minnesota Watersheds Annual conference in Nisswa.

Contact: Mary Juhl; mary.juhl@state.mn.us, 612-358-5733

NISSWA, Minn. — Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) Assistant Director for Regional Operations Justin Hanson presented Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District (PLSLWD) Water Resources Project Manager Emily Dick with the 2024 Outstanding Watershed Organization Employee award today during the Minnesota Watersheds’ annual conference in Nisswa.

“It’s an honor to recognize the accomplishments of professionals like Emily Dick, who work tirelessly to improve water quality and advance conservation priorities in their districts,” said BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke. “The passion and commitment demonstrated by local government staff is what drives successful conservation efforts throughout Minnesota.”

Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District is a special purpose unit of government located in Scott County. It was established in 1970 for the purpose of managing and conserving the waters and natural resources of the watershed.

Dick joined the watershed district in 2022 and has since distinguished herself as an exceptionally effective communicator, project planner and relationship builder. She leads planning and implementation efforts for the PLSLWD’s capital improvement projects and secured an $850,000 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency grant earlier this year that will fund 90% of a priority stormwater project. She and her team have been instrumental in revitalizing the district’s Community Action Council by attracting new members, who are researching potential district initiatives and supporting education and outreach events. Her team also organized the district’s first “Watershed Week,” collaborating with a local artist and area organizations to host educational events that reached community members who were not familiar with the watershed district.

“Emily demonstrates excellence through her leadership style and her ability to affect positive change,” said PLSLWD Administrator Joni Giese. “Emily continuously inspires and motivates district staff in a joyful and fun-spirited manner. At the same time, she is developing new operational approaches that improve data management and increase team efficiency, while also supporting team members’ growth, success and job satisfaction.”

Each year, BWSR celebrates the excellent work accomplished by local government staff to advance conservation efforts across the state. An award for Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District Administrator was presented earlier this week during the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ (MASWCD) annual convention in Bloomington.