Voters in Story County will choose three candidates to serve on the Story County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner Board.
Incumbent candidates Mark Tjelmeland, Kayla Bergman and Alisha Bower are running for reelection for the board. This is a non-partisan race.
Tjelmeland and Bower did not respond to a request for comments for this article.
The following interview with Bergman was conducted by email:
What makes you qualified for this position?
“I have served as a Story County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner for 1 4-year term and have taken on the role of chairperson for the board. My background includes water quality, farm and conservation policy, and sustainability work — including managing a successful watershed project in Story County for 5 years. I own land in Story County that I have enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program and have worked closely with the other financial assistance programs we offer farmers and landowners in Story County through our partner agencies at the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.”
What would you like to see change in Story County?
“I would like to see farmers and landowners that are implementing conservation practices, like cover crops and bioreactors, continue to be supported financially and technically. This includes advice from our partner agencies and cost-share programs from state and federal agencies and private companies. I would also like to see those farmers and landowners that are implementing conservation be recognized and supported by other citizens of the county and beyond.”
What are your plans for Story County if you become elected?
“My plans include ensuring farmers and landowners in Story County that are currently implementing or planning to implement conservation in their operations be supported technically and financially. In addition, I will continue to bring awareness to the importance of soil and water conservation with emphasis on private lands. Finally, I will continue to work to use our resources as a District in an effective and considerate manner – ensuring we serve our mission to promote soil conservation and water quality to landowners, operators, and residents of Story County by providing technical information and financial assistance.”
