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Meet the team members at Scott SWCD who uphold our mission.

Who Is Scott SWCD?

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TROY KUPHAL

District Director

As District Manager, Troy is responsible for developing and administering the District’s budget, hiring, developing and supervising staff, administering grants and programs, managing internal and external partnerships, and ensuring the policies and directives of the Board of Supervisors are carried out. He enjoys helping landowners, local leaders and other citizens address soil, water, wildlife and other environmental issues.

 

Troy grew up on a dairy farm in southeast Wisconsin. He earned his bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
 

Troy has served the Scott SWCD as manager since 2009.

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WILLIE PETERS

Senior Resource Conservationist 

Willie spends his time at the District working with landowners to help them design and implement a wide variety of structural practices and projects that reduce soil erosion and protect our land and water resources within Scott County. Willie also bring a forestry background to the District, assisting landowners with tree care, maintenance, and control questions. 

 

Willie grew up on a farm near Medford. He earned his bachelor’s degree with a major in forestry and a minor in natural resources and business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Willie joined the Scott SWCD in 1998.

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SHELLY TIETZ

Finance and Accounting Specialist

Shelly provides administrative assistance to all grant programs, provides administrative assistance to the Non-Point Engineering Assistance Program and maintains District financial records.

She grew up in New Prague, Minnesota. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mankato State University.

 

Shelly joined the Scott SWCD in 2001.

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SCOTT SCHNEIDER

Resource Conservationist II

Scott operates the District’s equipment rental program, assists farmers with livestock waste and nutrient management planning, and assists landowners with planning, design and installation of structural and ecological best management practices. Scott is also a Certified Crop Advisor, nutrient management planner, and conservation planner.

Scott grew up on a dairy farm in Cambria, Wisconsin. He earned his bachelor’s degree in broad area agriculture at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

 

Scott joined the Scott SWCD in 2002.

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COLLIN SCHOENECKER

Resource Conservationist II

Collin conducts site investigations, works on survey and designs, performs erosion & sediment control inspections, administers the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) and is a Certified Wetland Delineator in the State of Minnesota.

A New Prague native, Collin is a graduate of Minnesota State University Mankato where he earned his bachelor's degree in recreation, parks and leisure services, with an emphasis in resource management and leisure planning management.

His interest in conservation and the outdoors started when his Dad and Grandpa took him hunting at a young age. He enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing and spending time in the outdoors.

Collin joined the Scott SWCD in 2014.

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MEGHAN DARLEY

Natural Resource Specialist II

Meghan currently oversees the Natural Landscaping programs which include raingardens, native plantings and lakeshore restorations. In addition, she coordinates the annual Tree Sale, Campus Groundwater Conservation Program, and conducts Erosion & Sediment Control inspections. She also serves on the Steering Committee for the Scott County Weed Management Area to help control invasive species.

A native of Duluth, Meghan earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. Following graduation, she volunteered with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Duluth.

 

In her free time, Meghan enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting, visiting National Parks and exploring the North Shore and Boundary Waters areas.

 

Meghan joined the Scott SWCD in 2015.

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DIANN VOSEJPKA

Agricultural Program Specialist

As a Certified Crop Adviser, Diann helps residents with their conservation agronomy needs including cover crops, nutrient management, prescribed grazing, and whole farm conservation planning.  She also certifies farms under the Lake Friendly Farm and MN Ag Water Quality Certification Programs, and assists with native prairie restoration.

Diann grew up on a farm near Lonsdale and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Ag Studies from the University of Wisconsin River Falls in 2013. 

In her spare time, Diann enjoys farming, hiking, skiing, and spending time with her animals. 

 

Diann joined the Scott SWCD in 2016.

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ANDY PORUPSKY

Resource Conservationist II

Andy assists landowners with participation in cost share and incentives programs, and conducts site investigations, surveys, designs, construction oversight and certification.

He grew up in Zimmerman, MN, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies from the University of Minnesota. His previous work experience includes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota DNR, and the 14 years with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Andy’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, cabin trips, and photography.

Andy joined the Scott SWCD in 2017.

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SHELBY ROBERTS

Public Outreach Specialist

Shelby implements the Scott Clean Water Education Program (SCWEP). She organizes Outdoor Education Days, assists with the various workshops put on by the office, and gets the word out to the community about the Scott SWCD. She also supports the various native landscaping programs.

 

She grew up in Eden Prairie and earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in biology and environmental science. 

 

In her free time, Shelby enjoys camping, backpacking, canoeing, and theater. 

Shelby joined the Scott SWCD in 2019. 

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KRISTIN WEINANDT

Administrative Specialist

As the Scott SWCD's Administration Specialist, Kristin is first point of contact for customers that call or visit the office. She also supports the Finance and Accounting Specialist, staff members and is specialized in program support.

 

Kristin started working in business right out of high school and all throughout college. She has an Associate’s Degree in Business from Inver Hills Community College. She also has a background in personal, business, and payroll tax, statue and regulation.

 

On her time off she enjoys fishing with her family, exploring new places, traveling and volunteering for local organizations.

Kristin joined the Scott SWCD in 2019. 

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HANNAH PLONSKY

Natural Resource Specialist I

Hannah primary duties consist of assisting landowners within the District's Natural Landscaping program, which includes raingardens, pollinator plantings and native prairies. Hannah also conducts Erosion and Sediment Control inspections, and assists with the District's water quality program.

Hannah grew up in Le Sueur, MN. She received her bachelor’s degree in Geography and a minor in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services - Resource Management from Minnesota State Mankato.

Some of Hannah’s hobbies include gardening, fishing, photography, and spending time with family and friends.

Hannah joined the Scott SWCD in 2020. 

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JOE HALE

Resource and Permit Specialist I

Joe's job duties include implementing the District’s Ditch Inspection program. In addition, he performs inspections for Erosion and Sediment Control permits.

 

He grew up in Roseville, MN, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at the University of Minnesota. His previous work includes working for the Minnesota DNR’s Aquatic invasive species program as a watercraft inspector. 

During his free time Joe enjoys hunting, fishing, hockey, and anything else involving the outdoors.

Joe joined the Scott SWCD in 2022. 

jhale@scottswcd.org I 952-492-5422

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CHASE EMMERS

Water Resource Specialist

Chase monitors the county’s water quality and quantities, conducts erosion and sediment control inspections, performs sub-watershed assessments, and assist with the district’s equipment rental program. 

 

Growing up in Belle Plaine MN, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies at St. Cloud State University. He previously worked at McLeod SWCD where he served as the District Technician since July of 2020.

 

During his spare time, Chase enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and snowboarding.  

Chase joined the Scott SWCD in 2022. 

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