Meet the 2026 Candidates for SWCD Supervisors

This year, the Rice Soil & Water Conservation District has two Supervisor positions up for election. SWCD candidates appear on the ballot for the general election, which will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Candidates are elected countywide* but must reside in one of the nomination districts up for election.  The nominating districts and candidates running for election to the Rice SWCD Board this year include:

• Preston Bauer, running for District 3 (Townships of Cannon City, Wheeling, Walcott, Richland). From the candidate: “As a farmer, I am always interested in improving quality of life for both the short & long term, and I realize a major piece of the puzzle comes down to improvement or preservation of the soils that we are so dependent to grow a crop.  A huge part of this means how it handles the water that comes into contact with our lands and what I am doing that affects this. Whether in farming, town, or nature, our water quality is affected by what it carries with it, and this affects quality of life for us all! As a new member of this board, I feel I can contribute yet learn.” 

  

  Preston Bauer is running for District 3 SWCD Supervisor.

• Richard Peterson, running for District 5 (City of Faribault). From the candidate: “I am running for re-election for the Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor representing District 5. During my 36-year career as a natural resource professional and my three terms as SWCD Supervisor, I have worked for the conservation and protection of Rice County’s soil, water, and other natural resources. My goal, if elected, is to support and strengthen those policies, programs, and services that directly benefit area farmers, landowners, and residents in order to ensure the healthy and sustainable future for those important resources.”

  

  Richard Peterson is running for District 5 Supervisor.

  
  

SWCDs are special-purpose units of government that manage and direct natural resource management programs at the local level.  Districts work in both urban and rural settings to carry out a program for the conservation, use, and development of soil, water, and related resources.  SWCD Supervisors serve four-year terms and meet monthly, discussing the business of the SWCD, distributing state grant allocations to landowners, setting conservation priorities, and coordinating conservation efforts with other local units of government and state agencies.  SWCD Supervisors are not paid a salary; however, they do receive compensation for attending meetings and are reimbursed for expenses.

To learn more about the SWCD, please visit our website at www.riceswcd.org.

Remember to vote for SWCD Supervisor at the November 3rd Election.

* Except for SWCDs in the seven-county metro area, where candidates are elected by the voters within that nomination district of the SWCD.