Board of Directors

Request for letter of support, recommendation or reference from Marion SWCD Board

Doug Krahmer – Zone 1

Krahmer has been an outspoken advocate for conservation in Marion County for many years. He has served as district chair, vice-chair and secretary/treasure since joining the board in 2001. He is the owner of Berries NW. He has previously served on both the Board of Agriculture and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement board and currently sits on the Agriculture Heritage Commission.

Vacant – Zone 2

For more information about open district positions, call the district office at (503) 391-9927 or send email to [email protected]

Darin Olson – Zone 3

Olson and his family own a 200 acre farm south of Salem. He was elected to the board in 2006. Olson has worked on his family farm for many years and understands firsthand the importance of soil and water to our region. He will work to make ensure the district continues funding home/land owners that want to invest in their property for the betterment of the soil and water in the Willamette valley. As a board member he is committed to a positive outcome to the preservation of our soil and water. He has worked with Marion SWCD on numerous conservation programs over the years many years. The district has also assisted him with many projects on his farm, which according to Olson, he might not have been able to accomplish on his own.

Tim Bielenberg – Zone 4

Bielenberg has worked on many local conservation issues. He operates a family dairy and row crop farm located near Aumsville. He has worked with the district to institute several conservation practices on his farm over the years to protect his farm’s soil and water supply for future generations. His efforts include protecting stream edges, as well as installing irrigation liners and a methane digester, which operates at full capacity on the dairy farm.

Rochelle Koch – Zone 5

Our family moved to Oregon after 22 years of farming organic almonds and pomegranates in California. We named our farm Whole Circle Farm because we believe that everything is connected. Air, water, healthy, nutrient-dense soil and insects all work their magic as part of that circle. We believe farming organically is essential to being sustainable in today’s agricultural environment.

Scott Walker – Secretary-Treasurer / At-Large Position 1

The availability and wise use of water has been a long standing concern for Walker. This interest began because his neighborhood has had many failing wells and new wells are prohibited by the state. Winter water storage for summer use was his major emphasis as a Silverton City Councilor. He is very involved in his community; in addition to the district, he is a member of Silverton Lions Club (president), Silverton Garden Club, and Salem Audubon Society. He has completed both the Master Gardener and the Master Recycling training.

Terry Hsu – Chair / At large Position 2

As a farmer and water resource engineer, Terry sees how practical day to day issues relate to soil and water quality, and how they directly affect his farm. This might include erosion due to rainwater coming off barn roofs, drainage channels that need stabilizing to maintain water quality when cattle tromp through, or the need to manage well water and maintain irrigation lines appropriately during the dry season. His experience as both a farmer and engineer, combined with his prior experience at Marion SWCD, uniquely prepare him to address the soil and water conservation issues that are of concern in our region.

Marion SWCD’s Director Handbook

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7