Your board of district supervisors have been elected to represent your interests on use and protection of land and water resources in this county.

District supervisors prepare operating budgets and annual work plans, and oversee state and local cost-share programs for conservation practices addressing county resource needs.

In almost all cases, supervisors are elected for four-year terms commencing on the first Monday in January (Minn. Stat. 103C.315, subd. 2 (2018)). There is no limit to the number of consecutive terms a supervisor may hold.

You can become part of this local conservation team.

• The filing period this year opens on May 19 and closes at 5:00 p.m. on June 2. Those interested in running for SWCD supervisor need to file an affidavit of candidacy and a $20 filing fee with their county elections official (Kanabec County Auditor).
• SWCD candidates do not participate in primary elections and are elected at the general election which will take place November 3.
• Write-in candidates must file a written request with the county auditor in order for the write-in votes to be counted. Contact your county elections official for more information. 
• SWCD candidate-elects need to file a Statement of Economic Interest with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board after beginning their term.

*Interested candidates must contact their local SWCD to confirm openings and elections information specific to their district. Click HERE to find your SWCD.

Kanabec SWCD
(320) 679-1391
2008 Mahogany Street, Suite 3, Mora, MN 55051

Click below to view guidance on becoming a candidate for SWCD supervisor,  filing statements of economic interest, and FAQs:

Soil & Water Conservation Districts are special purpose units of government that manage natural resource programs. Minnesota’s 90 SWCDs cover the entire state; their boundaries usually coincide with the county lines. Each SWCD is run by a board of five elected Supervisors.

To be a supervisor, you need:

Knowledge

Supervisors must have, or be willing to learn, some basic knowledge to effectively carry out their responsibilities. They are encouraged to understand:

• Some of the fundamentals about the environment and know how it works;
• The relationship between land use decisions and the environment;
• The effect environmental decisions have on other aspects of our lives; and
• Local concerns, attitudes, and needs.

Concern

Supervisors must be concerned about:

• Our environment and natural resources;
• Maintaining and improving water quality; and
• Protecting our soils

Leadership

Supervisors are encouraged to take an active leadership role in the community. This can involve:

• Setting local conservation priorities;
• Education friends and neighbors about the environment;
• Working with other local government units, state and federal agencies, and other elected officials;
• Setting a positive example;
• Taking unpopular stands;
• Sets policy for the common good;
• Balancing economic needs with environmental concerns; and
• Sacrificing short-term gains for long-term benefits.

Time & Accountability

Supervisors must be able to commit time for regular meetings and assigned committee meetings, including:

• Designating time for regular monthly board meetings (meeting time/dates may be adjusted for attendance of the majority);
• Reviewing board packets prior to meetings to be prepared for voting/discussion; and
• Allocating a time budget of ~10 hours per month for time commitment, depending on the number of committees for which you represent the SWCD.

Information on this page has been provided courtesy of MASWCD and BWSR.