Mower County Outstanding Conservationist

2010 Outstanding Conservationist

Arvid & Lois Jovaag, Austin, MN

Arvid & Lois in front of their home in Austin Township.

Arvid and Lois Jovaag moved to Mower County thirty years ago, to fulfill a dream of starting their own farm. To do so, it would mean starting from scratch. In the early years, equipment budgets were lean and the learning curve sometimes felt steep. However, the Jovaags are charged with great faith and strong determination. These attributes provided a means for them live out their dream on the farm and do it in a way that will protect the many resources available to them.

The Jovaags are located south of Austin, with much of their land lying along the Cedar River. They appreciate the resources they have and
understand the value in protecting them. Over the years, they have
incorporated several conservation practices in their operation. These
include; grass waterways, wetland restorations, minimal tillage,
rotational grazing and application of minimal fertilizer. They’ve also planted field and farmstead windbreaks, along with implementing a
forest management plan to control invasive species.

Today the Jovaags continue to live out their dream. As times change and farms get bigger, they have been blessed with the opportunity to maintain a traditional operation. The farm yard is full of chickens, ducks, the family pup and the Jovaag grandchildren; the next generation of conservationists.

The Jovaags will be honored at the Minnesota Association of Conservation Districts annual convention in December. The Mower SWCD is honored to have the Jovaags represent Mower County as its 2010 Outstanding Conservationists.

 

Above is a picture of the Jovaag’s 21 acre RIM wetland restoration and native grass planting.	Above is a picture of Arvid & Lois in one of their rotational grazing fields.