Mark Finstuen recognized for conservation efforts

Mark Finstuen of Milton Township was the recipient of this year’s Dodge District’s “Outstanding Conservationist Award” by the Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD). He was presented with the award Dec. 6 at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Cloud.
The Finstuen family, along with their son, Derek, operate an 1,800 acre cash grain crop farm, while also operating a 2,400 sow farrowing operation.
Finstuen has farmed since 1974, when he rented his first land while still in high school. Over the years, he’s overseen many conservation projects and adopted conservation practices, including installing waterways, conducting no-till and minimum tillage, cover crops, RIM-WRP, along with following a manure management plan and applying bio-filters and an animal morality facility to the farrowing operation.
The Finstuen farming operation balances production needs with land, water and air stewardship, intended to preserve Minnesota resources for future generations.
The (MASWCD) award seeks to recognize individuals, conservation organizations and others for outstanding accomplishments in implementing conservation practices and improving Minnesota’s natural resources. Finstuen’s recognition considered his accomplishments from July of 2015 to June of 2016.