2026 - Larry and Janene Knudsvig
The Dunn County Soil Conservation District is proud to honor Larry and Janene Knudsvig as recipients of the 2026 Achievement Award.
Larry and Janene are third-generation farmers and ranchers on the Knudsvig family land near Dunn Center, North Dakota. Conservation has long been a central part of their family’s values and operations. Over the years, they have implemented numerous practices to best manage and protect their land. In addition to their daily hands-on efforts, Larry dedicated many years of service to the community as a board member of the Dunn County Soil Conservation District, serving from November 1, 1986, through December 31, 2022.
The Knudsvigs utilize no-till and minimum-till across their crop acres and incorporate crop rotation to effectively manage weeds. To support soil health and pasture productivity, they rotate grazing livestock every 30 days, allowing adequate recovery time for pastures.
With assistance from the NRCS and the Dunn County SCD, they have planted trees for windbreaks and grass for feed, forage, and soil health. Cross fences have been installed to enhance grazing management. They have also implemented water projects on their property by installing pipelines and tanks, creating dugouts, and developing natural springs to support livestock and reduce erosion.
Among the many improvements they have made to their land, the Knudsvigs consider their water development projects to be the most beneficial to their operation, as they have expanded their ability to efficiently utilize their available pastureland.
As experienced producers, Larry and Janene encourage younger farmers and ranchers to seek financial and technical assistance through NRCS and DCSCD. They emphasize the importance of utilizing available resources to implement conservation practices that will sustain and improve the land for future generations.