Nick and Tara Meyer, rural Sauk Centre, were recently honored as outstanding conservationists of the year. The Meyers, who own and operate Meyer Dairy, were selected by the Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) for the award. The award was presented Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) in Duluth.
Each year, Minnesota SWCDs recognize individuals and organizations for outstanding accomplishments in implementing conservation practices and improving Minnesota’s natural resources. The award program is conducted with support from The Farmer magazine.
According to Stearns County SWCD chairperson, Chuck Uphoff, the Meyers were recognized for a variety of reasons.
Nick and Tara’s dairy farm consists of 170 milk cows, and they raise corn and alfalfa and 360 acres. Nick succeeded his parents Gerald and Joyce in 2003 to become manager of this family farm. Nick corrected a feedlot runoff concern by installing runoff controls and an animal manure storage facility. Also, a grassed waterway was installed to address an erosion problem along an intermittent stream leading to the Sauk River. The services of a private crop advisor are used to maintain the farm’s nutrient and pest management plans. Several acres of wetland are maintained for wildlife. The Meyers also received Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s March 2009 “Good Farm Neighbor Award.” Tara serves as Executive Director with the Minnesota Farm & Food Coalition.
“We’re really proud of Meyer Dairy and what Nick and Tara have done for conservation in Stearns County,” said Uphoff. “It is wonderful to have the next generation of young farmers, like Nick and Tara, providing an example to other landowners by installing many conservation practices over recent years to protect and enhance our natural resources.”