Each year the SWCD recognizes a producer and their family for their work to conserve and preserve our natural resources.  The Lac qui Parle SWCD is proud to recognize Dale and Adam Miller Family as the 2024 Outstanding Conservationist.  They truly exemplify what it means to be an Outstanding Conservationist.  Thank you Dale and Adam for your work to protect our natural resources.

Dale and Adam Miller were chosen as the Lac qui Parle Soil and Water Conservationist of the Year for 2024.

The farm, south of Dawson, has been owned and operated by the Miller family for close to 100 years. The family includes Dale and his wife Cindy, son Adam and his wife Stacy and their child Caleb. 

Dale planted his first crop in 1987 after purchasing farmland from his uncle. Dale added pigs to the farm next and raised pigs for close to 15 years. His son Adam has been involved in helping with the farm since he was a young child and purchased bred heifers to add to the farm operation in 2007. 

"We were selected by the LqP Soil and Water staff to be county Conservationist of the Year due to our commitment to change the way we look at our farm and the natural resources we interact with. We have adjusted many of our farm practices in the last 10 years to work better with nature. We have converted all our crop acres to a no-till or reduced tillage system adn have incorporated the use of cover crops across the farm. We use a variety of species to keep the soil covered and protected, sequester excess nutrients, increase organic matter and provide forage for our cattle," said Adam. 

Adam and Dale have raised cattle together since 2007. They operate a cow/calf herd and feedlot to feed the calves that they raise. Recently, they started calving and rotational grazing the cows on the crop land. This allows the cows to add the nutrients and biology to the soil each time they are moved to a new area. Adam is an active member of the Midwest Cattleman's Association. 

This summer, Adam took on an additional role when he partnered with the LqP Soil and Water Conservation office to be a Soil Health Mentor. The goal of this program for Adam and two other local mentors is to be a resource for farmers and landowners that are interested in cover crops, reducing tillage use and other Soil Health practices. 'We are available to show what is working on our farm operation, answer questions about a variety of practices and connect people to resources that help the improve the health of their soil and the profitability of their farm," said Adam. The Millers recieved their Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification this year.

Going forward, Dale and Adam plan to graze their cows across more of their farmland, continue trying addional species of cover crops and new methods to benefit from those covers as well as explore more cash crop options to add diversity to the farm. 

(The Western Guard 9/17/24)