SCD Board:
Conservation Districts (CDs) are political subdivisions of the State. The Stearns CD is governed by an elected Board of five Supervisors. Each Supervisor represents their area of residence, but is elected countywide for a four-year term. The Board of Supervisors is responsible for setting goals, policies, and priorities for the District to work towards.
In 1974, “supervisor nomination districts” were mandated for the purpose of ensuring some measure of geographic distribution of elected supervisors across each CD. The rationale for this is that the CD programs deal with land and water issues of geographic scope; thus, it was seen as good government to ensure geographic distribution of elected officials across the CD.
The Board meets monthly to review projects and direct staff based on their own knowledge and background. Stearns County has been fortunate to continually elect Supervisors with a deep conservation ethic and motivation for public service. Their contribution to the success of the CD is invaluable!
The Stearns CD Board meeting is typically the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The meetings begin at 9:00AM in the USDA Conference Room (suite 126), Marketplace, 110 Second Street South, Waite Park, MN 56387. You can verify meeting dates on the Events Calendar. In the event that the meeting time/date change due to unforeseen circumstances such as severe weather, 72 hour notice will be made for updated meeting information. Please see the Events Calendar or call the Stearns CD @ 320-251-7800 Ext. 3 for meeting time confirmation.

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Stearns CD Supervisors (left to right): Tom Gregory (Area 5), Matt Bruyette (Area 4), Justine Meyer (Area 1), Kenneth Schefers (Area 3), and Arlyn Lawrenz (Area 2)
Area 4 Supervisor Vacancy
There is a vacancy on the Stearns Conservation District (SCD) Board of Supervisors due to the recent resignation of Supervisor Matt Bruyette after 6 years of service.
The vacancy is in 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. Applicants must be a resident of Area 4 to be appointed. The appoint will fill the vacancy until December 31, 2026. A special election to complete the four-year term until December 31, 2028 will be held in November, 2026.
Interested individuals who are residents of Area 4 must submit a completed application by 11:59pm on Sunday, March 2, 2025 to dennis.fuchs@mn.nacdnet.net.
Selected finalists will be interviewed on Tuesday, March 11, during the regular Board meeting. We are planning to spend up to 30 minutes with each candidate. The successful individual will be appointed and sworn into office at the April 15, 2025 SCD Board meeting.
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.
Stearns CD Supervisor Contact Information:
Arlyn Lawrenz (Area 2)
Secretary/Treasurer
Holdingford
320-746-2634
area2.stearnscountyswcd@gmail.com
Term Expires 2028
Kenneth Schefers (Area 3)
Vice-Chair
Paynesville
area3.stearnscountyswcd@gmail.com
Term Expires 2028

What does it take to be a Conservation District Supervisor?
Conservation districts (CDs) are special purpose units of government that manage natural resource programs. Minnesota's 90 CDs cover the entire state; their boundaries usually coincide with the county lines. Each CD is run by a board of five elected Supervisors.
To be a Supervisor, you need:
Knowledge:
Supervisors must have - or be willing to learn - some basic knowledge to effectively carry out their responsibilities. They must understand:
· some of the fundamentals about the environment and how it works
· the relationship between land use decisions and the environment
· the effect environmental decisions have on other aspects of our lives
· local concerns, attitudes and needs
Concern:
Supervisors must be concerned about:
· our environment and natural resources
· maintaining and improving water quality
· protecting our soil
Leadership:
Supervisors must be willing to take an active leadership role in the community. This can involve:
· setting local conservation priorities
· educating friends and neighbors about the environment
· working with other local government units, state and federal agencies, and other elected officials
· setting a positive example
· taking unpopular stands
· balancing economic needs with environmental concerns
· sacrificing short-term gains for long-term benefits