Award Winners
2024 Kittson County Outstanding Conservationist
Michael Swanson & Cheri Reese, Far North Spirits
The Kittson Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was proud to give this award to somebody that is undoubtedly dedicated to the land and the community and somebody who works tirelessly to help the land so it can help them back. The Outstanding Conservationist for Kittson County was given to Michael Swanson at Far North Spirits. Michael grew up in Kittson County in a farming family. He has always enjoyed the great sense of community that Kittson County has to offer. Michael and his wife, Cheri Reese, returned to Kittson County to embrace that sense of community that they had grown up loving. Upon their return they started the northernmost distillery in the continuous United States, Far North Spirits. Far North Spirits was built in 2013 right on the land that Michael had grown up farming with his family. It is also one of the few distilleries in the United States that grows their own grains for production.
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2024 Kittson County Rural Beautification
Ron & Alicia Anderson, Hallock MN
The Kittson County Soil and Water Conservation District awarded Ron Anderson of Hallock MN the 2024 Rural Beautification award. Ron was chosen for this award because of the amount of time he dedicates to, not only beautifying his yard, but by making decisions that increase the overall health of the ecosystem surrounding his yard. Ron Anderson’s home is located just southeast of Hallock. Anyone that has driven by can easily see why he was chosen for this award. This just under 9-acre yard is no easy feat to keep pristine but Ron works everyday to ensure it is. He has several flower beds amongst the property that are carefully weeded and watered to keep superior plant health.
Ron has also worked with the Kittson SWCD for countless years buying trees to create the beautiful farmstead shelterbelts you can see while driving by. Ron says the trees aren’t just for looks though, they create essential wind breaks for his yard that keep it protected during the harsh Minnesota winters. The trees also help to purify the air and create a natural home for many area birds. On top of all the mowing and trimming Ron does, he also keeps up several golf holes for him and his family to enjoy. He says it makes it all worth it seeing his children and grandchildren getting outside and enjoying the yard he works so hard to upkeep. What Ron does is not easy feat, but it is well worth it!
2024 Kittson County Wildlife Habitat Stewardship Award
Larry & Lorraine Wilebski, Evergreen Acres
Evergreen Acres is a 275 acre dynamic piece of land that many different species of animals call home. Larry Wilebski and his wife Lorraine own Evergreen Acres and the Kittson SWCD was proud to select them as the winners of the 2024 Wildlife Habitat Stewardship Award. This award is designated to honor those who have a constant drive to establish and improve wildlife habitat in their area.
Larry and Lorraine purchased the piece of property where Evergreen acres currently sits back in 1995. They have constantly been working to grow their sanctuary since that day. Over the last 19 years they have planted over 138,000 trees. The varieties have consisted mostly of Jack Pine, Scotch Pine, Tamaracks, Flowering Crab, Juneberries, Plums, Popples, and Colardo Blue Spruce. There are others that have naturally seeded themselves on Larry’s land. The first two years they owned the property they planted 48,000 of these beautiful 50+ foot tall trees that are seen in Evergreen Acres today. Larry continues to care for these trees by pruning and thinning when needed to keep the growing habitat healthy. He and his family also enjoy the harvest of the juneberries and plum trees each year. Larry worked with the SWCD and with a private forest stewardship plan writer to develop a plan to help achieve his goals with his land relating to wildlife habitat.
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