Norman County Soil and Water Conservation District

02/19/2026

NORMAN COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
February 12, 2026
Public Input Wanted as Norman County
Updates Hazard Mitigation Plan
Norman County residents, community leaders, business owners, area agencies and organizations now have an opportunity to share how severe weather events impact their property and lives. There is also an opportunity to share their ideas on how to reduce local impacts in the future.
The Norman County Office of Emergency Management is working with U-Spatial at the University of Minnesota Duluth to update the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). The plan assesses the natural hazards that pose risk to the county, such as flooding, tornadoes, windstorms, winter storms, extreme temperatures, wildfire, and drought. The plan further identifies local vulnerabilities and ways to minimize damage from future events. As the county works to update the plan, it wants to hear from the public.
The Norman County HMP is a multi-jurisdictional plan that covers Norman County, including all cities and townships within the county. The Norman County HMP also incorporates the concerns and needs of school districts, watershed districts, and other related agencies, organizations, or businesses participating in the planning process. The plan will be updated by a planning team made up of representatives from county departments, local municipalities, and other key stakeholders. When completed, the plan will be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for approval.
“Hazard mitigation planning is a central part of our emergency management program,” said Garry Johanson, Norman County Emergency Management Director. “Understanding the natural hazards that can cause serious impact to our communities and taking action to reduce or eliminate the impact of future disasters makes us more resilient. Hazard mitigation helps us to break the cycle of damage and repair caused by things like flooding, ice storms, and severe wind events that can damage property, stress economies, and threaten life safety in our county.”
Examples of hazard mitigation include:
• Conducting public outreach on severe weather awareness and preparedness
• Improving stormwater management systems to better handle high-rain events
• Removing existing buildings from flood or erosion prone hazard areas
• Increasing defensible space around homes in high-risk wildfire areas
• Constructing tornado safe rooms in vulnerable areas such as mobile home parks
• Burying overhead powerlines that may fail due to heavy snow, ice, or windstorms

Some mitigation activities may be eligible for future FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant funding.
As part of the planning process, gathering input from the public is an important and required step. Residents of cities and townships, local businesses, and other stakeholders are encouraged to share feedback on the following to incorporate into the plan:
• What are the natural hazards you feel pose the greatest risk to your community?

• Are there specific populations or assets in your community that you feel are more vulnerable to future storm events?

• What concerns do you have, and what sorts of actions do you feel would help to reduce damages of future hazard events in your community or the county as a whole?

To provide your feedback, please contact Norman County Emergency Management or submit your comments via the online HMP public feedback form.
There will be additional opportunities for public feedback throughout the planning process. A draft of the plan will be made available for public review prior to submission of the plan to the State of Minnesota. Future news releases will be shared with the media to notify the public of these opportunities.
The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) requires counties to update their plan every 5 years to maintain eligibility for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs.
Contact
Garry Johanson
Norman County Emergency Management Director
Phone: 218-784-5493
Email: [email protected]

The following QR code may be used directly to access the HMP public feedback form:

03/03/2025

The Norman County SWCD is looking to hire a part time person from spring through summer.
SEASONAL NATURAL RESOURCE TECHNICIAN POSITION
Norman County SWCD PO Box 60 Twin Valley, MN 56584
Any Questions contact Lori at 218-584-5169 or [email protected]
LOCATION: Norman County SWCD – Twin Valley MN CLASSIFICATION: Seasonal Technician
SALARY RANGE: $18-$20/hr (DOQ) HOURS: up to 40 hours a week.
STATUS: Seasonal TERM: Spring-Fall, Flexible start and end dates
POSITION PURPOSE: This seasonal position will support the work of the Norman County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The SWCD works with local landowners and partners to implement soil and water conservation practices and programs to help accomplish our mission. This position will provide support to SWCD staff that provide technical assistance and support for the various District Programs, SWCD owned land and storage dams to assure an efficient and sustainable operation.
The Norman County SWCD seeks a self-motivated individual to work on various projects, including; (but not limited to):
• Help with the installation of trees and fabric
• Provide maintenance on our pasture and flood storage dams
• Doing some office and paperwork
• Working on a computer/tablet
• Assist with other SWCD programs as needed
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Qualified applicants must possess a valid driver’s license, Interest or experience with chainsaws and small tools. Applicants must be a hard worker, self-motivated, able to show a commitment to high quality work, dedicated to completing projects on schedule, and be able to work independently. Effective communication and computer skills are desired.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work involves mostly outside field work. Frequent position changes; lifting, pushing, and pulling requirement not more than 50 pounds; exposures not limited to heat, cold, and wet conditions. Equipment used include, but not limited to, chainsaw, pickup, trailer and computers/tablets.
SELECTION PROCESS: Finalists for the interview process will be determined after initial screening and assessment of relevant qualifications and experience. Applicant(s) selected for the interview process will be contacted directly by the Norman County Soil and Water Conservation District.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit a cover letter, resume, and 2 references to Lori Thronson, District Manager at [email protected]. Application materials must be received by 5:00 p.m., March 28, 2025.
CONDITIONS OF ANNOUNCEMENT: Norman County SWCD reserves the right to change the content of this announcement without notification and may at any time withdraw the announcement.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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12/13/2024

The Norman County Soil & Water Conservation District would like to thank Kelly Skaurud and Gene Ueland for their years serving as Supervisors of our board, as they retired this month. Kelly has served on the board for 30 years and Gene for 20 years. We appreciate all your hard work and dedication to conservation over the years. Thank you!

Staff and Supervisors of the Norman County SWCD

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12/05/2024

Here is the funeral arrangements and wonderful write up for Curt Borchert. Curt was my boss for 23 years. He had a heart of gold, lots of patience, funny and always joking around. Curt always made work fun and we continued to visit him each year after his retirement in 2012. He was always sending home fresh eggs, vegetables from the garden, and something dehydrated (sometimes we never knew what you were eating, its good Curt said you will like it). We loved to visit him and Theresa in the summer catch up on life and to eat fresh peas, raspberries, strawberries, apples and whatever else was ready. Curt had such a wealth of knowledge on just about anything and he will be truly missed.
https://www.eriksonvikfh.com/obituary/curtis-borchert

11/04/2024

JOB OPENING AT THE FARM SERVICE AGENCY IN ADA

Are you or do you know someone looking for a rewarding career who is passionate about agriculture? Norman County Farm Service Agency (FSA) is hiring! This is a great opportunity to work with the farmers and landowners in Norman County. Great benefits in a family friendly environment. Excellent retirement package. If you know of someone who is looking for permanent full-time employment in the Ada area, please share the following information with them or refer them to James Kruize. Online application period is open Monday, November 4, 2024 to Monday, November 25, 2024 at 11:59 pm EDT.

Come be part of the FSA team in Norman County. We have a wonderful team and great producers to work with!

Program Analysts provide customer service assistance to farmers and landowners in administering government farm programs.

Potential candidates should possess excellent customer service and communication skills, proficient computer skills, be a quick learner, detail oriented, enjoy working with the public, and work well in a team atmosphere. On the job training will be provided.

Starting pay ranges from $39,576 - $77,955 depending on qualifications of the applicant. The position is located at the Norman County FSA Office, 10 East 2nd Avenue South, Ada, MN.

Interested individuals should apply by following the instructions in the complete vacancy announcement at www.usajobs.gov (enter FSACO-12589601-25-MN-KM in Keyword Search box and click on search). Here is the direct link to the position with information on how to apply: USAJOBS - JOB Announcement - Norman County Program Analyst.

For additional information, contact James Kruize at 218-784-4000 or [email protected]. Applications must be submitted no later than November 25, 2024 at 11:59 pm EDT.

USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer, and Lender.

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05/24/2024

Save the dates for these soil health events coming up in July!

To register and find more information, head to the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition website: https://www.mnsoilhealth.org/event/ray-archuleta-in-hawley-mn/

03/06/2024

New CRP signup going on until March 29th. Contact your local FSA for more information.

08/10/2023

https://www.mda.state.mn.us/soil-health-grant

Check out MDA’s Soil Health Financial Assistance Program equipment grants for landowners that opened August 1 and closes September 15, 2023. Following the high level of interest in the pilot round of grant awards this past winter, the Legislature provided a total of $2.375 million for another round of grants in both FY24 and FY25.

We anticipate awarding the full FY24 appropriation of $2.375 million in the upcoming application period. Grants are competitively reviewed following the September 15 deadline by a committee of external reviewers. Grant awards are for up to 50% cost-share, with a minimum award of $500 and a maximum award of $50,000. These grants are for the purchase of new or used soil health equipment or for parts and materials to retrofit equipment for a soil health purpose. The legislature established rules in statute that limit eligibility to any owner or lessee of farmland in Minnesota, which may include Individual producers or groups of producers. Statute further provides that local government units—including SWCDs, tribes, etc.—are also eligible provided they make the equipment available for use by the public.

Applications for the Soil Health Financial Assistance Program are open until September

06/23/2023

03/27/2023

Come join us for the beginning farmers meeting.

03/24/2023

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Meeting
Attention Beginning Farmers – Are you a beginning farmer or do you know a beginning farmer? You got signed up for FSA programs but are now wondering what is next or am I missing out on some opportunities to assist my farming operation?
The Farm Service Agency in Clay and Norman County will be hosting an informational meeting for new or beginning farmers.
Representatives from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Soil and Water Conservation District office (SWCD), Farm Business Management program, and the Minnesota Extension Service will be in attendance providing information about a variety of federal and state programs that could provide assistance and support to new farming operations. USDA is here to support beginning farmers and their operations.

Event information:
Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 9:00 AM
RDO Equipment Co
110 Michael Street South, Hawley

Thursday, March 30, 2023, 9:30 AM
Ada Area Event Center
415 West Main Street, Ada