OLIVER SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Oliver Soil Conservation District


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About OSCD

The Oliver Soil Conservation District (OSCD) is a political subdivision of state government and formed by a vote of the people in our county in 1946

We are governed by a Board of Supervisors (three elected, two appointed) who set policy which is carried out by our able District Manager JD Hanson.

The OSCD has a cooperative working agreement with USDA's Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS). We share office space and work together to assist the people in Oliver County in addressing their Natural Resource concerns. We also work closely with the NDSU Extension Service and local Extension Agent Rick Schmidt, who attends most of our meetings.

The Board of Supervisors meets monthly, generally on the first Friday of the month, to conduct business of the District.

Our Board and Staff

Board Chairman, David Porsborg and his wife Karen farm 7 miles south of Center.  They are currently operating 1800 acres which consists of a diverse rotation of wheat, corn, peas, flax, soybeans, and alfalfa. They started minimum tilling in 2000 and no-tilling in 2010. They have adopted many practices that help their soil health such as, low soil disturbance, diverse rotation, cover crops, no fungicides or insecticides, and keeping traffic to a minimum in fields.  Porsborg has served on the SCD board since 2017. 

Mike Bauer and his wife Beverly reside in Mandan ND, their farming operation is located in south western Oliver County.  Bauer has served on the SCD board since 1993

Allan Schwalbe and his wife Sheila are the third generation to operate the family farm in south eastern Oliver County that was homesteaded by Alan's grandparents in 1904, after leaving south Russia.  The Schwalbe's currently no-till 2,200 acres growing spring wheat, corn, canola, and barley. They also have a cow calf operation, and background their calves, utilizing rotational grazing system.  Schwalbe has served on the SCD board since 2013.

Vice Chairman, Lonnie Henke operates a diversified grain and livestock farm west of Hannover ND.  Henke raises spring wheat, sunflowers, corn, oats, barley, flax, canola, peas, alfalfa and grass hay in a no-till rotational system. Henke's livestock operation includes a cow/calf and back grounding program. Henke as served on the SCD board since 2006.

Board Member, Dale Berg and his wife Cindy operate a 1,700 acre no-till farm north of Hannover ND. Berg's rotation consists of wheat, corn, peas, and canola.  Berg has just recently added the challenge of farming  reclaimed mined land. Berg retired from his dairy operation in 2000,  and his cow/calf operation in 2013. Berg has served on the SCD board since 2008.
District Manager, JD Hanson and his wife Lacey reside in Center ND with their three children Lennon. Maddux. and Emersyn. JD has been with the District since 2006 when he was hired as the District Technician.   In 2012 he took over the role of District Manager.  He has served three terms on the ND Conservation District Employees Association Board, and also assists with the technical reviews of applications for the ND Statewide Conservation Tree Planting Initiative, funded by the Outdoor Heritage Fund 

  

Pictured here are the OSCD Board of Supervisors with District Manager JD Hanson, who received the ND Association of Soil Conservation Districts award for Outstanding District Employee.

Left to right are: Dale Berg, Alan Schwalbe, Mike Bauer, JD Hanson, LeAnn Harner and Lonnie Henke.

NRCS Staff

NRCS District Manager 

Lucas Schmiesing took the NRCS District Conservationist position in February 2019. Lucas grew up on a small farm in West Central Minnesota. His stated his passion for the outdoors and our natural resources led him to pursue a degree in Natural Resources Management at NDSU. He started his NRCS career working in the Devils Lake and Fargo field offices as a Soil Conservationist before taking the position in Center.


NRCS Soil Conservationist - Vacant 

Farm Bill Specialist - Ally Scheidegger

Ally Scheidegger was hired in June of 2019 as the new Farm Bill Specialist for Mclean, Sheridan, and Oliver Counties. Ally grew up in Fargo and graduated from NDSU with a degree in Range Science and Crop and Weed Science. Ally credits her interest in conservation and natural resources to her love of horses, and the interest in improving pastures and forage options for them.