Following the call for nominations dated April 26, 2018, the LSWC presents the following nominees for election to the LSWC Board of Directors. Thank you to those members that submitted a nominee and thank you to the nominees for their willingness to stand. Please read through the following short bios to familiarize yourself with the candidates. The voting period will be open from July 2-13 2018. A voting ballot can be found by clicking Here. Please complete and submit it to the LSWC by email, no later than 5 pm on July 13th 2018. Successful candidates will be announced at the LSWC AGM on July 16th.
Nominees are as follows:
Chris Davidson
Chris Davidson was raised in Moosomin, where he graduated from McNaughton High School in 1978. Chris later obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1991 from the University of Saskatchewan. Since 1991 Chris has been the managing partner in Sharpe’s Soil Services LTD (currently trying to retire). He has also been a member of the Moosomin and District Regional Park Authority since 1991, where he currently serves as Chairman. Chris was elected to the Moosomin Town Council in 2003, and is currently serving his 4th term on council. Currently, Chris is also the Exalted Ruler of the Moosomin Elks Lodge #340, where he has been a member for 20 some years. Chris took part in the original planning process of the Lower Souris Watershed when the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency was first working in watershed planning. He has a great interest in, and concern with protecting our watershed. If elected Chris looks forward to contributing to looking after our watershed for the good of all.
Darlene Fisk
Darlene is a cow/calf/yearling rancher from the Kelso area, southwest of Moosomin Saskatchewan. She has a degree in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan. She has been a member of the Lower Souris Watershed Committee board of directors for five years and has served as a member at large to the provincial Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW) Board for the past 2 years. Darlene worked as a technician, treasurer and secretary for the District 5 Agriculture Development and Diversification board for approximately 6 years. She also worked as a secretary treasurer of District 5 Pest Control Board for 15 years. Darlene has done some contract agricultural research and sales work for a variety of companies over the years. As well as daily involvement in the ranch, Darlene finds time to participate in the lives of her 4 children in the various sports and activities they are involved in and participate in parent groups around those activities. Darlene has been very involved as a local leader and a past district board member for 4-H as well as a regional event organizer. Darlene is interested in many of the issues that affect watersheds and the programs offered through the Watershed Organizations. Her particular interests are protecting the environment and promoting a balanced approach to the agricultural drainage issue. Agricultural education is a passion and Darlene is looking into ways of becoming involved with this as well.
Louis Hebert
Louis Hebert is the founding partner of Hebert Grain Ventures and Hebert Livestock Ventures based in Fairlight, Saskatchewan. Hebert Grain Ventures is owned and operated in a partnership with his son Kristjan and wife Theresa. Hebert Livestock Ventures is owned and operated in a partnership with his son Kyle and wife Crystal. Louis has been passionate about agriculture for his whole life, going out on his own to plant his first crop in 1978. The introduction of the next generation into the operations has added even more fire to his passion for sustainability and legacy. The farms operate under a legacy vision of leaving the land, the financial statements, and the industry in a better state than the last generation. This drives management practices focused on long term health, sustainability as well as profits. Louis has always been keen on Ag water management, implementing zero till to conserve water almost immediately upon its concept. Furthermore, proper drainage policies to improve efficiency and utilise resources to their fullest potential, all the while protecting surface water on the Livestock land for pastures, dugouts etc. Louis has served on the board of directors for the Advantage Coop, District 5 ADD board, Lower Souris Watershed Committee, as well is a councillor for Rm #91. In his personal time Louis enjoyed coaching minor hockey as the kids grew up, as well as spending time with grandkids and friends at this stage of life. Louis was born with an entrepreneurial spirit, a business focused mind, coupled with a passion for family and farming. This unique combination has allowed him to strive for success by being progressive, but always focusing on the long-term strategy of sustainable practices and business health to ensure the farming operations could be operated for generations to come.
Martin Hjertaas
Martin Hjertaas was raised on a farm near Wauchope, Sask. He now resides in Redvers with his beautiful wife Thyra and their 3 busy boys, Kai, Oscar and Henri. He keeps himself busy working on the family farm, where they raise sheep, while also working in the oil industry. Martin has served on the Rural Municipality of Antler No. 61 council in Division 3 since 2010. He actively serves on many committees as a representative for the RM. During his term as a council member he was appointed to the Lower Souris Watershed Committee from 2012 until he stepped down from the Committee a little over year ago to dedicate his time to his family for health reasons. He is ready to serve on the Lower Souris River Watershed Committee once again and put forth his great ideas. Martin has proven to be a great leader in the past, as a councillor in the RM of Antler, numerous other committees and as an RM Representative and on the Lower Souris Watershed Committee. He is ready to continue proving that he is ready to tackle the challenges that come along with being a Committee Member.
Chris Jones
Chris was born and raised in Storthoaks, and after graduating high school many years ago, moved to Carnduff where she married her husband, Jamie Jones. There they started farming 30 years ago. They raise cattle as well as both have off the farm jobs. Chris and Jamie have 2 son’s who have both moved away from home now. Chris has been involved over the years with the local Agricultural society, where she has sat as President, Secretary and Treasurer for many years. Chris was also a 4H leader for over 15 years for photography, crafts and beef. During those 4h beef years it was a great learning experience for her and her husband, learning new techniques for cattle grazing to help improve their land. Today, Chris still enjoys taking pictures and loves to get out camping and fishing whenever possible.
Robin Thompson
Robin Thompson is the fourth generation to run her family’s farm east of Fairlight, Saskatchewan. The Thompson farm was established in 1903 and today Robin, her brother, Jay, and partner, Dan are proud to call this mixed grain and cattle farm home. The Thompson farm originally started out as a dairy farm but now it is a mixed farming operation with a large commercial Angus herd as well as a small grain farm. Robin did leave the farm after school to attain her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of Saskatoon. Robin worked shortly for Saskatchewan Milk as a Dairy Herd Inspector but soon realized her passion was to be at home on the family farm raising cattle and grain farming. The Thompson farm has used many of the Lower Souris Watershed Programs including the watersheds grass program. They feel these programs are of great benefit to those farmers who can use them in their farming practices. Robin and her mother Brenda, are also owners of the Home Sweet Home Tea House in downtown Fairlight, Saskatchewan. The pair have operated the tea house for 26 years. They enjoy seeing new faces come in their door and being able to exchange stories with all the travellers they see from many different locations.Robin manages her many hats well, mother, spouse, farmer, business owner, councillor, board member, and farmer. All of Robin’s committees greatly appreciate her input and her honesty. They all look for her opinions when dealing with diverse situations as she is a very well rounded person with lots of experience that can be used as an asset for future projects and problems.
