SWCD distributes awards

ZUMBROTA — The Goodhue County Soil and Water Conservation District presented three awards Thursday during the County Board’s annual meeting at the fair in Zumbrota.

SWCD honored Roger and Lisa Overby with the Conservation Farmer award. The Overbys operate a farm in Cherry Grove Township, where their family has been since 1858. It has transformed over the years from a dairy farm to a streamlined crop farm.

The Overbys have worked with the Soil and Water Conservation Office to install more than 17,000 feet of waterways. They also manage about 20 acres of native grasses and flowers.

“Roger and Lisa are doing a great job taking care of the land and are very deserving of this award,” presenter and SWCD Board member Paul Voxland said.

Voxland was also on hand to honor Scott and Donna Enzenauer with the Woodland Manager award for operating Enzenauer Evergreens, a 20-acre Christmas tree farm and nursery in Wanamingo Township.

The site has 14,000 trees on rotation and produce about 1,000 each year. Additionally, their tree farm has evolved over the years to feature a gift shop and seasonal wagon rides.

Earning the Wildlife Management award for 2012 was James Notebaart, a conservationist who owns 71.5 acres in Welch Township.

Notebaart turned a 43-acre corn field into an oak savanna wildlife area with native trees, grasses and wildflowers.

“The local wildlife is flourishing on this uniquely managed property,” Voxland said.

The County Board showed its appreciation for all of the honored families during its meeting.

“We take our hats off to all these people who received these awards,” Chair Richard Samuelson said. “They’ve certainly done a great job.”

Rostads win family award

Joel and Bridget Rostad were selected as the 2012 Farm Family of the Year for 2012 and honored during the County Board meeting Thursday at the Goodhue County Fair.

“We have a family that you just can’t ask for any more than they do,” Goodhue County Extension Committee member Bob Eppen said.

The Rostads farm 2,400 acres in rural Zumbrota, in addition to having dozens of Holstein cows and thousands of hogs. Joel and Bridget’s two children, 18-year-old Rachel and 17-year-old Brad, assist on the farm.

Rachel and Brad are the sixth generation of Rostads to live on the farm, Eppen said.

“I think they’re very worthy recipients,” he added of the entire family.

In addition to performing duties on the farm, Bridget owns and operates Bridget’s Café in Zumbrota. Joel has also been active in surrounding communities. Goodhue County Commissioner Dan Rechtzigel remembered working with Joel in the past on the Wanamingo Town Board.

“They are just a stand up family,” Rechtzigel said. “They do all the things a farm family should do to deserve the award and they never ask for any recognition.”

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