Part of LSA’s Effort to Move Priorities for People and the Land Forward at the Local Level
9/19/24
MADISON, Minn. — Land Stewardship Action issued the following statement announcing its endorsement of Michael Croatt, running for Lac qui Parle County Soil and Water Conservation Board District 3.
“We are proud to support Michael in his campaign to represent the people of Lac qui Parle County. We share a common vision for vibrant, growing rural communities and sustainable agricultural practices. If re-elected, we look forward to working with him to offer solutions at the local level,” stated Emily Minge, Political Organizer for LSA. “By focusing on local government, LSA aims to build participation and engagement in all levels of government. We know that there is so much power and possibility at the local level of government and we want to foster connections and understanding of how our values can be put into action.”
Mike Croatt is a retired farmer who farmed for 43 years, using and experimenting with a variety of soil health and conservation practices which is how he first got to know his SWCD.
Mike shared that, “the first time I ran for SWCD Supervisor I was mostly interested in keeping current on government programs and policies. After being elected I was astonished to learn that you had to actually sell a lot of the programs to the producers, they didn’t just come in the door looking for advice and help. Once I realized this, my focus became gathering and spreading information. I try to keep current on new programs and policies and inform my peers of changes that are happening. If elected I hope to continue to serve my constituents in this way.” Regarding LSA’s endorsement he said, “to be endorsed by an organization like Land Stewardship Action, that has the vision and beliefs that I spent my entire life learning and utilizing, is a real honor. It is reassuring to know that others have the vision and passion to save our land and resources for the future generations. I humbly thank them for their endorsement to continue spreading the word.”
To earn Land Stewardship Action’s endorsement, Michael Croatt attended LSA’s local candidate forum to answer questions from the public and cleared an internal vetting process with LSA’s Political Committee and Board of Directors.
This year, leading up to the fall elections, Land Stewardship Action is focusing on engaging members, supporting candidates, and building power at local levels of government. This includes elected County Commissioners and Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors. This is a direct response to feedback from those in LSA’s base, as they feel most directly impacted by local government bodies. More information on LSA’s 2024 election initiatives and endorsed candidates may be found here: www.landstewardshipaction.org
Contact: Emily Minge, LSA, eminge@landstewardshipaction.org, 612-400-6353