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Benton SWCD Directors and Associates

The Benton Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has been serving local landowners since 1956.

Benton Conservation District is led by seven volunteer directors, who are elected to represent five geographical zones in the county, and two at-large directors. Other volunteers are appointed to serve as associate directors. These volunteers contribute substantial insight, expertise and energy to the Board. We employ a technical assistant, an office manager and an Education and Outreach Director. Numerous volunteers assist us in our mission.

If YOU are interested in serving as a director or associate, please email us, call or stop by.

Zone Directors

ZONE 1: Clifford Hall, Secretary Treasurer

ZONE 2: Anne Rigor

ZONE 3: Tom Bedell, Chair

Tom has worked for the Extension Services at the Universities of California and Wyoming, and at OSU. He was on the OSU faculty and served as Extension Rangeland Specialist.

As a consultant, Tom has taught range and pasture management to Uganda dairy farmers; evaluated a land management dispute; evaluated fire's effects on rangeland; conducted workshops; and authored several papers on rangeland management.

Tom has received numerous awards and honors, including OSU's Career of Excellence Award upon retiring in 1992.

Tom also serves as Chairman of the Oregon Soil and Water Conservation Commission and on the Oregon Board of Agriculture representing Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Tom and his wife, Gretchen, are private pilots. They own and operate a small farm south of Philomath.

ZONE 4: Joe Hinds

Joe received a Bachelor of Science degree at Portland State University in 1965 and a Masters in Geology from Western Washington University in 1972. Through the years, Joe worked as a geologist in mineral exploration for various federal agencies and private firms. In 1984, Joe transferred his energy to the educational realm, teaching geology classes at Lane Community College while working in Christmas trees, construction and remodeling.

Joe's dedication to natural resource education is a driving force in the Districts Education and Outreach program. An active member on the E and O Committee, he combines geology and soils technical knowledge with a wealth of local on-the-ground experience to enhance our activities and demonstrations.

Joe's involvement as a Benton SWCD Director spans two decades and merits his intense appreciation for the expansion of educational programs and conservation projects that we share with Benton County residents. JOE ROCKS!!!

ZONE 5: Eric Horning, Vice Chair

Eric was born and raised in Corvallis, OR. He currently resides in Monroe. He has farmed all his life on the family farm, Horning Farms, Inc., which is owned and operated by Eric, his brother and his father. The farm, located just south of Corvallis, primarily produces row crops, including corn, beans and beets. Eric graduated from Linn-Benton Community College with an Associates Degree in Machine Tools Technology. After graduation, he taught classes at the college for a short time. Eric is interested in preserving private property rights and other land use issues.

At Large Directors

Tim Dehne

Tim has been a dedicated volunteer in Corvallis since 1980. He has an AAS in Water/Wastewater Technology from LBCC. He now works at the Albany Wasterwater Plant.

Tim served several years as a Benton SWCD Associate Director before being elected as an At Large Director. He has been very involved in the District's Annual Tree & Shrub Sale, acting as coordinator for the past two years. He believes the #1 issue facing the world as a global community is WATER. Quantity and quality are in short supply and need serious scrutiny by citizens to ensure a future with well managed resources.

Associate Directors

Rana Foster

Associate Director since 1995. BS in natural science and a M.S. in environmental soil science. Rana is an avid naturalist and outdoors adventurer. Supports Corvallis Chapter of the Audubon Society through volunteering for conservation projects/issues. Assists Natural Resources Conservation Service with archaeological and natural resource projects. Involved with the City of Corvallis Development issues as a concerned citizen.

Mark Taratoot

Mark has lived in Corvallis since 1994. Mark is currently the Water Resources Specialist for the City of Corvallis in the Public Works Department. In this capacity, he provides community outreach and education related to water conservation and pollution prevention. Mark is a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor through the Irrigation Association.

Mark serves the Benton SWCD as an Associate Director and as an active member of the Education and Outreach Committee. From 1997 - 2000, Mark served as Director at Large for the Benton SWCD, and he served as Vice Chair from 1999 - 2000.

Mark is a member of the Marys River Watershed Council (MRWC) where he serves as the Chair of the Education and Outreach Committee. Mark previously served on the Steering Committee for the MRWC for four years. Mark is the Chair of the Pacific Northwest Section of the American Water Works Association's Water Conservation Committee. Mark maintains an active membership in the Water Environment Federation. Mark, an avid boater, is the Conservation Chair and President of the Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club (WKCC).

From 1994 to 2000, Mark served on the faculty of Oregon State University in the Forest Engineering department researching riparian area structure & function, relationships between logging and landslides, soil compaction associated with logging, and municipal drinking water supplies coming from forested watersheds.

Mark earned a BS in Forest Management from the University of Georgia College of Forestry (1990) and an MS in Watershed Science from the College of Natural Resources at Utah State University (1993), and his background includes forestry, soil physical properties, watershed hydrology, and outreach & education.

In his spare time, Mark enjoys paddling kayaks and canoes, playing guitar, practicing yoga, gardening, and fermenting various food products including mead (honey wine) and pickles.