SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 11, 2011

Media Contact: Bill Smith, 605-773-4351

Governor Announces South Dakota Conservation Commission Appointments

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard has reappointed three people to the State Conservation Commission.

They include Aaron Kiesz of Aberdeen, Charlie Moe of Rosebud and Wayne Bunge of Rapid City. In addition, the Governor has also appointed Douglas Hansen of Webster to the commission.

Kiesz serves as the Municipality representative; Bunge and Moe both represent the Tree Industry. Hansen will serve as the Member-at-Large representative. He succeeds John Gross of Madison whose term expired on December 31, 2010.

“These appointees bring a wealth of experiences to the Conservation Commission,” said South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones.  “Aaron, Charlie, and Wayne’s experiences on the Commission and knowledge of conservation practices have been valuable during their past tenures on the commission.”

“Doug’s understanding of natural resources conservation, including his 36 year career with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks gives him a strong background that should benefit the commission,” Bones added.

Kiesz, Moe, Bunge, and Hansen will serve with five others on the State Conservation Commission.  Their terms expire on Jan. 1, 2014. 

The Conservation Commission, which has administrative oversight of South Dakota’s 69 Conservation Districts, is charged with overseeing the development and implementation of the State Coordinated Plan and setting natural resources policy.

Agriculture is South Dakota's number one industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 143,000 South Dakotans.  The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow.  Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov/ or follow us on Facebook.

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