Pheasants Forever adds conservation program staff

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Saint Paul, Minn. — Jeff Potts from Watertown, S.D. is Pheasants Forever new farm biologist based in Dickinson.

The organization created two positions in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and local Soil Conservation Districts, according to a press release. Matthew Olson of Fort Ransom, is the new farm bill biologist based out of Forman.

Potts earned his bachelor’s of science degree in wildlife fisheries and science from South Dakota State University. He has worked with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and has been a wildlife technician and a land/habitat intern.

Pheasants Forever’s Farm Bill Biologist program is designed to educate farmers and landowners about the benefits of conservation programs (such as the federal Conservation Reserve Program) as well as assist after the programs have been implemented, according to the release.

Pheasants Forever first began employing Farm Bill biologists in 2003 and now has more than 45 working in seven states including North Dakota.

“These positions come at an especially critical juncture for North Dakota, where nearly 775,000 acres have expired from the wildlife-friendly CRP in the past five years and another 1.8 million acres are slated to expire in the next five years,” said Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever’s Farm Bill Biologist coordinator.

Pheasants Forever is a non-profit conservation.

To reach Potts, call 701-225-3811 extension 118 or e-mail him at jpotts@pheasants forever.org.

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