Gerald (Jerry) Kolke

Education: Graduated Columbia River High School 1965. Some College Classes. Continuing Education Classes and Seminars

Occupation: Lifelong career with the local farmers cooperative, AG-CO / CHS Inc. Retired in 2005.

Candidate Statement: I am a Clark County native who has never left home. After graduating, I went on to a lifelong career with the local farm cooperative. I live on a family farm, north of Battle Ground. My goal of serving on the Clark CD is to help preserve and maintain the agriculture and forestry ground we have left in the county. Whether the operation is small or large, we need them all.

Tell us about your past experience with Clark Conservation District, or other Conservation Districts. I have served the Clark Conservation District for the past two years as a supervisor and the past year as a Washington State Conservation District Board Member.

What is the greatest strength of the Conservation District model, in your opinion? Our greatest asset is the staff that we employ and the diversity and knowledge that we provide the citizens of Clark County.

What role can Conservation Districts play in addressing regional priorities, while still remaining true to their basic operating mandate? We help our community solve natural resource problems and protect their assets. By maintaining communication with other Conservation Districts in the southwest and the state we can share what we are doing to succeed and take away what others have learned. The goals of all these organizations are similarly focused.

If elected, during your term of office what will be your priority focus areas for Clark CD and what do you hope to accomplish? My goal of serving on the Clark CD is to help preserve and maintain agriculture and forestry land. We need to continue to help small farmers and stable owners with cleaner water through CCD programs like POOP SMART CLARK’s septic system reimbursement program; manure exchange program and other ways to manage manure on your property

Education: High school education

Occupation: Customer Service

Candidate Statement: I’m a wife and mother of 2. I was born and raised in Vancouver WA. When I was growing up in Vancouver we had multiple family farms. And most of those are gone now because developers have purchased them. The cost of farming and keeping up the land has become a prohibited cost. I want to work with existing family farms like Bi-Zi’s Farms to help preserve them. I also would like to work with friends of Vancouver Lake to help clean up. So that residents can enjoy swimming, kayaking, and picnicking. It is a valuable natural resource for our community.

Tell us about your past experience with Clark Conservation District, or other Conservation Districts. I have no past experience. As someone with roots in this community, I would like to work with the community leaders and current board members. To ensure that we preserve the beauty that Clark County has to offer.

What is the greatest strength of the Conservation District model, in your opinion? The strength is protecting our land and water. We must protect our drinking water and land from eroding. And protect our soil from being polluted by man-made chemicals.

What role can Conservation Districts play in addressing regional priorities, while remaining true to their basic operating mandate? They help protect and preserve our watershed, soil, rivers, lakes, and farmland. We need to be good stewards of the land, water & forest. At the same time, maintaining growth in the county.

If elected, during your term of office what will be your priority focus areas for Clark CD and what do you hope to accomplish? My priority focus will be preserving the farms that remain in Clark County and cleaning up Vancouver Lake. I hope to make Vancouver Lake a place where families and the rowing teams can enjoy again. It is a valuable resource for our community. I want to ensure that we keep the remaining family-owned farms in business so that we have fresh fruits and vegetables for our community.