Friends of Dakota Lakes

Home » Friends of Dakota Lakes

Friends of Dakota Lakes

The annual Friends of Dakota Lakes award is given every year to honor those persons and organizations who have supported Dakota Lakes over the years, helping us to fulfill our mission. Thank you for all you do!

2023

John Daly

2022

Peter Sexton and Ruth Stevens

2021

Gil Gullickson

2020

Corey Brown and Justin Cronin

2019

Matt Hagny

2018

Howard G. Buffett Foundation

2017

Mike Arnoldy

Lyman County Farmer, Long-time board member

2016

Jason Miller

NRCS; Long-time supporter and Secretary. Stationed at Dakota Lakes for 3 years

2015

Ann Arnoldy

Lyman County Farmer, Contributor, Supporter, and Adviser

2014

Ruth Beck

Recognition for Ongoing Support

2013

Farm Credit Services of America

Contributor 

2012

Dr. Ray Ward

Booster and Mentor

2011

Dave Nelson

No-till Farmer/BOD/Treasurer 

2010

Burleigh County, North Dakota Soil Conservation District and Jay Fuhrer-DC

Major Supporter and long-time advocate for diverse no-till systems

2009

Dan Forgey (Cronin Farms)

Agronomist, Advocate, and BOD Member

2008

Wayne (Janet) Edinger

No-till Farmer/Booster

2007

Steve Taylor

Early no-till/livestock advocate. BOD Member 

2006

Wilbert Blumhardt

No-till advocate. BOD Member

2005

Ralph (Betty) Holzwarth

Long-time BOD Member/Chair, No-till Leader

2004

Ducks Unlimited Inc.

Major supporter

2003

Leon Wrage

Extension Weed Specialist and Researcher. Adviser on weed control. 

2002

SD Wheat Commission

Ongoing major supporter.

2001

Paul Weeldreyer

DLRF Corp. Secretary 1981-99.

2000

Waymon Williams

BOD Treasurer during startup.

1999

Hank Zeeman

BOD Chairman during startup.

1998

Dan Cronin

One of the first key supporters.

1997

Jim Hill

Budget Director for Gov. Mickelson

1996

SD Corn Utilization Council

Major Funder

1995

Darrel “Red” Pahl

Extension Irrigation Specialist. Instrumental to early success

1994

Dennis Gere

Monsanto and Cenex Field Representative. Instrumental to early success.

1993

Dr. Ray Moore

AES Director during formation. Committed SDSU to the concept.

Ample Wildlife

Just like people, wildlife needs food, shelter, and water not just to survive but to thrive. The farming practices we follow at Dakota Lakes nurture a robust ecosystem that provide for the needs not only of the deer and pheasants that are popular with local hunters and nature enthusiasts but also a diverse range of species that ideally keeps pests at bay naturally without the need for intensive pesticide intervention.

Healthy Food

Much of the nutrient acquisition in plants is mediated by microbes, so soils that are home to a rich diversity of microbial life are better equipped to provide plants with their required nutrition effectively and efficiently. Recent studies have shown foods, including meat, grown under regenerative farming practices contain higher levels of certain vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals than those grown under conventional farming practices. While the science behind these studies is complex and sample sizes are small and highly variable, preliminary results suggest that regenerative practices can enhance the nutritional profile of many of the foods we eat.

Clean Water

Carbon is one of the best water filters known to man, and regenerative farming practices like no-till, cover crops, and livestock integration help to maintain or even increase soil carbon levels. Plants serve as natural “carbon pumps,” bringing carbon in from the atmosphere by way of photosynthesis and feeding it to soil microbes in the form of exudates. In addition, plants take up and hold onto nutrients that are mineralized in the soil, so keeping living roots in the ground for as much of the year as possible goes a long way to preventing nutrient runoff into local waterways.

Living Soils

By following diverse cropping rotations, keeping a living root in the ground as much as possible, integrating livestock, maintaining good soil armor, and keeping soil disturbance to a minimum, we are nurturing the soil microbiome and providing favorable conditions for the bacteria, fungi, nematodes, protozoa, insects, earthworms, and other living creatures that call the soil their home. Just a teaspoon of healthy soil can contain billions of microbes and our goal is to promote a natural, balanced environment that allows them to thrive.