Steve Peterson Appointed to Stearns Conservation District Board of Supervisors

The Stearns Conservation District (SCD) appointed Steve Peterson to fill a vacancy on the Board of Supervisors for Area 4. The appointment term will last until December 31, 2026. Peterson resides in Paynesville, MN with his wife Dr. Mary Wilkens.

Peterson was the director of sourcing sustainability at General Mills, from August 2010 until his retirement in August 2015. He led Contract Manufacturing at General Mills from 2005-2010. Peterson was a member of the Integration team creating the combined Supply Chain resulting from the General Mills and Pillsbury merger. Previously, Peterson was Senior Director Ingredient Sourcing at Pillsbury from 1995-2001.

Steve Peterson took the Oath of Office at the April 15, 2025 Stearns Conservation District Board of Supervisors meeting

Alongside his corporate career, Peterson has always been in production agriculture. Steve’s father was one of the founders of the MN turkey industry, so he grew up working on the farms and mill. Currently, Steve owns and operates Peterson Farms, a crop & beef operation located near Paynesville, MN.

Said Peterson on his motivation for serving on the SCD Board: “For my entire life I've been involved in our Stearns County family farming operation and have owned lake property on Lake Koronis. I believe we are called to care for the beautiful environment & community we are blessed to have in Stearns County.”

SCD Area 4 is the south-central section of Stearns County and includes the Townships of Farming, Collegeville, Munson, Wakefield, Paynesville, Eden Lake, and Luxemburg, and the Cities of Richmond, Cold Spring, Roscoe, Paynesville, and Eden Valley.

“Supervisors play an important role in how a wide variety of natural resources are managed in our county, including wetlands, rivers, lakes, forests and farmland,” said Dennis Fuchs, Administrator.

SCD Supervisors are elected to full four year-terms by the voters during general elections. The Board meets monthly to discuss business, including conservation priorities; financial allocations to projects; coordination with other local units of government and state agencies; and legislative priorities. Supervisors do not receive a salary but do receive compensation for attending meetings and expense reimbursements.

Conservation Districts are special-purpose units of government that manage and direct conservation programs at the local level. Important programs and priorities of the SCD include soil health, healthy drinking water, improved water quality, wildlife habitat and protection, and much more.