Mark Tjelmeland’s interest in conservation can be traced back to his childhood when his mother taught him about topsoil, subsoil, and why topsoil depth differed between locations on his family’s farm. Through school and experiences like these, Mark has been committed to conservation and climate efforts ever since.
He and his wife, Connie, have been farming for almost four decades, and haven’t been afraid to try new things in their operation. Over the years, they have prioritized natural resources and building their climate resiliency through various conservation practices.
Along with extended rotation, they have established 5 acres of pollinator habitat with 70 species, seeded grassed waterways, done minimum tillage, conducted late spring nitrate testing, and side-dressed nitrogen on their corn, among other things.
“I am concerned about the ways that changing climate will affect my grandchildren and future generations,” Mark said. “I see conservation practices as a moral choice, but also a practical one.”
Due to their long-standing dedication to conservation, the Center for Rural Affairs has chosen Mark and Connie Tjemeland, of McCallsburg, Iowa, to receive its 2019 Citizenship Award.
El Premio a la Ciudadanía se otorga a una persona o personas que participan activamente en el proceso cívico para la creación de políticas públicas y que trabajan en estrecha colaboración con el Centro para promover políticas públicas que fortalezcan las granjas familiares, los ranchos y las comunidades rurales.
Over the last few years, the couple has hosted numerous tours of their farm—including their solar panels, extended crop rotation, and prairie. The couple also hosted Center energy staff to discuss solar panels that power their farm. The information has been used in the Center’s policy writing and work.
“Mark and Connie have supported the Center’s policy work in numerous ways throughout the last several years,” said Johnathan Hladik, policy program director with the Center.
También organizaron una visita de campo y un debate sobre la experiencia de Mark con el Programa de Administración de la Conservación a través del Servicio de Conservación de Recursos Naturales.
“Collaboration with local leaders such as Mark and Connie is essential to our work at the Center,” Johnathan said. “They have helped us advance key priorities through their thoughtful, unwavering, and effective advocacy.”
Mark encourages any farmer to reach out to the Center and other organizations to learn more about conservation, and how they can implement their own practices.
“Las prácticas de conservación me han ahorrado dinero a largo plazo y me gustaría que más agricultores supieran cómo las prácticas de conservación pueden beneficiar sus operaciones”, dijo Mark.
Learn more about the Tjelmelands and their operation in our blog from September 2019.
