December 26, 2022 by Aaron Larsen
A familiar face will lead West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District after its current manager Brad Mergens retires after 38 plus years of service.
Aaron Larsen, project manager for the West Otter Tail SWCD, will become the district manager for the West Otter Tail SWCD on January 1st, 2023, after being selected by the West Otter Tail SWCD Board of Supervisors at their December meeting.
A native of Morgan, Minn, Larsen joined the West Otter Tail SWCD in 2013 after starting his employment in the office in 2008 as a Farm Bill Biologist with Pheasants Forever. Larsen began his career working with farmers and landowners to enroll in conservation programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) program. After transitioning to the SWCD, he began working on addressing erosion control in agricultural fields and shorelines and managed project funds that provide financial assistance to landowners for installing conservation practices.
Mergens, who joined the SWCD in 1984, is retiring after 38 years at the end of December 2022. Under Mergens leadership, the SWCD has been recognized statewide for its contributions to conserving the natural resources of Otter Tail County.
Most notably, in 2015 the SWCD was chosen as the SWCD of the Year and Mergens was chosen as the SWCD Employee of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts. In addition, the SWCD received the 2011 Living Snowfence Award from Minnesota Department of Transportation, the 2016 Brood Booster Award from Minnesota Pheasants Forever, Polaris Habitat Stewardship Award from the Pelican River Chapter of Pheasants Forever, and the 2021 DNR Division of Ecological and Water Resources Appreciation Award.
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