2019 Big Stone SWCD Conservationists
Joel Stattelman and family
The Big Stone Soil and Water Conservation District has awarded the 2019 Conservationists of the Year to the Joel Stattelman family. The Stattelmans were given an award certificate at the MASWCD State Convention in Bloomington, MN, on December 10th, along with a presentation slide show of their conservation efforts and projects, sponsored by the MASWCD and Farmer Magazine.
Joel has farmed a 50 acre hobby farm of wheat, soy beans, and corn since 1976. He currently farms 240 acres, along with his son Kelly. He has managed 60 acres of CRP ground from 1989 to 1999. Joel has established 2 grassed waterways in 1990, with future projects of 2 more waterways to be improved. They are presently establishing a new grassed waterway and are planting 20 acres of CRP on land he owns with his brothers, Randy and Kim. The Stattelmans practice no till and minimum tillage with Kelly, and began using cover cropping in 2019.
The Stattelman farm has become an established Ag Water Quality Certified farm, with projects such as erosion control and fertilizer control to minimize the environmental limits on the lake. They use food plots for wildlife. In 2017, Joel used Working Lands Initiative funds to help with prairie invasive tree removal on 35 acres of land.
Joel has been a teacher and principal at Ortonville Public School for 44 years. He is retired 2 years and is currently a substitute teacher. He continues to coach high school and legion baseball. Joel is on the Board of Directors of the Bonanza Education Centers since 1992, and is currently the Board Chair.
Joel is a member of St. John's Church, Knights of Columbus, School Foundation Board, Community Education Board, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Whitetails Unlimited, and Citizens for Big Stone Lake.
The Stattelman family includes Joel's wife Kathy; and their son, Kelly (wife Sally and sons, Levi and Isaac) and their son, Cory (wife Chelsy and sons, Jordan and Riley).
Congratulations to the entire Stattelman family, and we look forward to continuing work with you on all your conservation planning and efforts.
