Doug Krahmer Zone 1 - Secretary/Treasury

Doug has been an outspoken advocate for conservation in Marion County for several years and has represented Zone 1 on the Marion SWCD Board of Directors since 2000. He has served as District Chair and Vice-Chair and is currently the Secretary/Treasurer of the Board. In 2004 Doug was appointed to the Soil and Water Conservation Commission (SWCC) to represent five SWCDs. In 2005 he was elected Chair for the Commission and remains in that position to date. Doug is also a voting member on the Board of Agriculture serving as Vice-Chair and chairs their Natural Resource Sub-Committee. Additionally, he also serves on the Oregon Farm Bureau's State Labor Advisory Committee and nationally for the US Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) where he serves as Treasurer on the Executive Committee and also chairs their Finance Committee.

Open PositionZone 2

The Marion SWCD currently has a vacant Zone 2 director position on their Board. To qualify, an individual for the Zone 2 position must be a registered voter; own or manage 10 or more acres of land within the zone; or have an approved conservation plan along with having served as either an associate director or elected director for one year; and live within the boundaries of the District. The towns included in Zone 2 are Brooks, Mt. Angel, Woodburn, though there is a small portion of Woodburn that is not included in the District (see zone map), and Aurora. This is a non-paid volunteer position who will serve until the next general election in November 2012. Click here for the application form or learn more about the roles of directors.

Darin Olson Zone 3 - Chair

Darin Olson and his family own a 200 acre farm just south of Salem. He was elected to his current position as Zone 3 Director in 2006. Darin has been working with Marion Soil and Water Conservation programs for many years, and he says that it is because of MSWCD programs, that he has been able to complete many projects that he might never have accomplished on his own. Darin says "the program has helped his farm save thousands of gallons of water each year". And "in an area that is seeing a large amount of residential growth, water savings is an important issue that needs to be addressed by farmers and small land owners alike".

Jayne Miller Zone 4

Jayne Miller is owner and operator of Oregon Tilth Certified Grape Lane Poultry Farm. Her farm is an original 1800's Oregon Pioneer horse powered diversified small acreage farm, restored with the help of Marion Soil and Water Conservation District grants and sweat equity of she and her husband, Jim. Her partnership with Marion SWCD enabled Jayne to develop an award winning Upland Oak Savanna riparian program that contributes to the health of Mill Creek Watershed, as well as rotational grazing, solar fencing, drip and other water conservation practices. In addition to the market garlic, pears, apples, berries, plums, fruit bearing plants, herbs and row crops she harvests off the farm, Jayne works further to promote sustainable small farming practices such as rain harvest, chicken tractors, compost tea, organic gardening and seed saving.

David Keasey Zone 5

Dave is a small-acreage forestland owner who helps represent small-forestry interests in the District. Dave has an extensive education background with a BS in Chemical Engineering and a MS in Civil/Environmental Engineering from Oregon State University, along with US Air Force Meteorology Training from North Carolina State University. Dave has worked overseas for part of his career as a Project Manager and Environmental Advisor for a major petrochemical company in Saudi Arabia

Emily Ackland At-Large 1 - Vice Chair

Emily became involved with the Marion SWCD while working as an Environmental Specialist for Marion County. During those 4 years, she collaborated with SWCD staff on various projects and became very familiar with the goals and objectives of the District. In 2008, Emily was nominated as an Associate Director, appointed Director; she continues to serve in this capacity.

Emily's current job has her working with all 36 counties in the state on various environmental issues and policies, including water quality, salmon recovery, and alternative energy strategies. She enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, and playing with her two Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

Carol Storke At-Large 2

Carol brings to the Marion SWCD a lifetime of interest in farming and ranching, as well as a commitment to the small family farm. Carol believes that education is crucial to protecting agricultural heritage and will support the excellent District initiatives that offer learning opportunities and technical assistance to both large farming interests and the small farmer. At a time when many Oregon families are suffering economic hardship, the ability to grow a portion of their own food can make an enormous difference in health and financial stability.

Jane Keppinger District Manager

In 2007, Jane became the District Manager and also serves in the capacity as the District's budget officer each year. Finances and budgeting are two of her strongest suits. She first came to the Marion SWCD back in August 2001 and worked as the Administrative Coordinator after spending the previous two years at the Polk SWCD in Dallas, Oregon. She has 22 years of experience working for several SWCD's in the Willamette Valley after she was first hired by Linn SWCD in 1989. Having already attended Linn Benton Community College studying in the medical field, then working for a handful of doctors and a variety of private businesses, Jane knew she had finally found a career and work she loved! She thoroughly enjoys managing people, projects, finances and most all working with a great board of directors and employees. Don't hesitate to if you have any questions or concerns about the Marion SWCD, she is there to help you.

Direct Line: 503-399-5741 ext. #124

Ron Crouse Education and Outreach Coordinator

Ron has been with the District since 2007 and has a B.S. in environmental education from Colorado State University and a Masters of Science Teaching degree from Portland State University. Prior to working for the District Ron served as head instructor for the marine education programs at OSU's Hatfield Marine Science Center which lead to a four year planning position for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service creating the Comprehensive Conservation Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement for Hanford Reach National Monument. Ron is currently the District's Education and Outreach Coordinator and also the State Coordinator for the Oregon Envirothon natural resource education competition. Ron helps manage the Districts CLEAR Grant program and should be if interested in any of the District's educational opportunities.

Direct Line: 503-399-5741 ext. #121

Scott Eden Resource Conservationist

Scott has been with the District since 2002 and is currently the District's longest-employed Resource Conservationist, and is an NRCS Certified Planner. He has a B.S. in Biology from Oregon State University and prior to working for the District, Scott was employed as Coordinator to the Pudding River Watershed Council and worked for a number of agencies and private contractor's to perform fish and wildlife surveys, mostly in Oregon. These included stream inventories, fish studies, forest mammal and bird surveys and mapping historic and current fish distributions on Oregon rivers and streams. Scott helps landowners with voluntary conservation plans, technical advice, and grant funded conservation projects and programs. Scott also works to implement and manage Water Quality monitoring projects that help the SWCD determine locations where local resources and conservation projects and programs are most needed to get conservation on the ground.

Direct Line: 503-399-5741 ext. #118

Jenny Meisel Resource Conservationist

Jenny coordinates the Native and Invasive Plants Programs and the district's Annual Native Plant Sale. She also provides education and outreach activities within the district. Jenny joined the Marion SWCD in 2008, and holds a Master of Science in Wildlife Science from Oregon State University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in environmental science from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Before working for Marion SWCD, Jenny worked as a wildlife biologist and technician for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, as a wildlife biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and briefly for the US Geological Survey conducting research in eastern Oregon and Washington. When not at work, Jenny enjoys birding, camping, hiking and working in her yard and garden.

Direct Line: 503-399-5741 ext. #110

Tracy Solomon Resource Conservationist

Tracy joined the district in January 2012 as a new Resource Conservationist/Agricultural Planner. She received her B.S. in Natural Resources from Purdue University in 2001 and has worked as a Water Quality Specialist for an SWCD in upstate New York and also as a Soil Conservation Technician for the NRCS on the Big Island of Hawaii. Most recently as a Consultant and Sustainability Coordinator, Tracy worked with small farms and businesses to adopt energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource conservation practices.

Direct Line: 503-399-5741 ext. #130

Mark Hadden Flow Monitoring Specialist

Mark has been with the District since 2008 and holds a B.S. degree majoring in geography and geology with a minor in land capability analysis from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. Prior to working for the District Mark worked as a land use planner for Polk County, as a geologist with the State of Oregon Department of Geology & Mineral Industries, and as a hydrographer with the State of Oregon Water Resources Department for twenty-four years. Mark is currently the Flow Monitoring Specialist for the District's Water Quantity Program and should be if interested in any of the District's stream flow or water temperature data.

Direct Line: 503-399-5741 ext. #125

Susan Ortiz Administrative Coordinator

Susan joined the District in 2008 and holds a B.S. degree in Crop and Soil Science, with a minor in Horticulture from Oregon State University. Prior to working for the District Susan worked for Linn SWCD, the Oregon Association of Conservation Districts, and as an agricultural producer. She provides District administrative support in the areas of Contract Development and Administration, Grant Management, Fiscal Administration and Human Resources, District Operations, and IT Management.

Direct Line: 503-399-5741 ext. #133

Janice Calkins Office Coordinator

Janice joined the District back in 2006 bringing her smile, skills in customer service and administrative duties along with her. When you contact us, she will likely be the first person you encounter! Janice is very creative, and earned an Associates of Art degree in Merchandising/Art from Modesto Junior College (California). She is most happy when her creative abilities can be used. As in: designing newsletters, flyers, brochures, organizing annual meetings, and Poster Contests! And if you need some information on any particular subject, she'll do her best to locate some information for you, be it in the form of a flyer, a brochure or reference to a website! Feel free to at any time!

Direct Line: 503-399-5741 ext. #101

Patrick Pirtle RARE Participant

Patrick has a B.A. in Urban Planning and is working for the District as an Americorps: Resource Assistance for Rural Environments participant. Patrick will be with the District until August 2012 as he works to complete an Urban Living Resource Guide for the county, while aiding with additional projects when needed. During his first year with the District, he has created a Rural Living Handbook for the county and completely re-designed the District's website.

Direct Line: 503-399-5741 ext. #128