The Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has announced the selection of Gary and Deborah Anderson of Chatfield as the district’s Outstanding Conservationist of the Year. The Anderson’s operate a 1,300 acre farm where they raise no-till corn, soybeans, oats, wheat and hay. They have restored 20 acres of native prairie and oak savannah and were the first participants in the state to enroll a wetland in the Wetland Preservation Area program of the Wetland Conservation Act. They are especially active with various prairie restoration groups and in their native plant nursery where Deb propagates some of her harder to find native plants to collect the seed and plant in prairie restorations. As outstanding conservationists, the Anderson’s will be eligible to compete for Minnesota’s Outstanding Conservationist Award, which will be announced at the 2006 Soil and Water Conservation Districts annual meeting set for December 3-5, 2006 in Bloomington. Congratulations to Gary and Deb on their conservation achievements!