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SWCD Staff

Image of District Manager

Brenda Lageson

District Manager

brenda.lageson@mn.nacdnet.net

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Brenda is responsible for the daily workings of the office. She is the point of contact for staffing, grant administration, financials records, and eLINK. Brenda is involved with all One Watershed One Plan within our county. Brenda provides administrative assistance for all programs administered within the office. 

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Lindsey Cornell

Resource Conservationist

lindsey.zeitler@mn.nacdnet.net

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Lindsey is responsible for conservation practice design and cost-share contracting for several programs. She is the point of contact for the Buffer Law, Annual Tree Sale, and the State Cost Share program. Lindsey provides technical assistance for projects related to the Cedar-Wapsipinicon One Watershed One Plan (1W1P), Blue Earth 1W1P, and Le Sueur 1W1P. Lindsey is a member of the Freeborn Area Soil Health Team (FASHT).

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Chad Billat

Private Lands Biologist

chad.billat@usda.gov

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Chad is responsible for habitat restoration on conservation easements and assisting landowners with various programs. Chad is the point of contact for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the Reinvest in Minnesota Program (RIM). Chad is a member of the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP) for Freeborn County. He provides technical assistance for projects related to the Shell Rock-Winnebago One Watershed One Plan (1W1P). He also assists landowners with the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), soil health, and items related to vegetation establishment. 

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Mark Trnka

Conservation Technician

mark.trnka@mn.nacdnet.net

Mark is responsible for the survey, design and oversees construction of structural practices on agricultural land. He provides technical assistance to landowners regarding the Buffer Law, State Cost Share, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Annual Tree Sale, and  soil health. Mark is the main point of contact for the Freeborn SWCD's  No-Till Drill Rental Program and coordinates delivery of the drill to users. Mark monitors conservation practices throughout the county to ensure they are functioning as planned.

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Senja Viktora
District Technician

senja.viktora@mn.nacdnet.net

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Senja is responsible for education and outreach efforts for the Freeborn SWCD. This includes the SWCD's annual newsletter, fair booth display, and social media. She is the main point of contact for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) and Southeast Minnesota Envirothon. Senja serves as Secretary for the Southeast Minnesota Association of Conservation District Employees (MACDE). Senja assists other staff members with tasks related to programs administered through our office. 

Image of Freeborn SWCD Staff

NRCS Staff

Gary Kurer

District Conservationist

gary.kurer@usda.gov

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Lezlie Sorensen

Administrative Support Assistant

lezlie.sorensen@usda.gov

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