“In the Midwest we have the luxury of excess water, so we have to manage it,” Kent Rodelius, ADMC President.
Kent Rodelius, Ag Market Relationship Manager Prinsco, announced at the 2024 Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC) Annual Meeting that he will be retiring from his position as ADMC Board President. Rodelius had been serving as President since accepting the nomination to the position at the 2019 meeting.
ADMC is an industry led coalition that stives to unify the water management industry and its partners to promote adoption of conservation drainage practices to manage water quantity and quality through effective communication and education, while promoting the safety of the contractors and their communities.
Kent let the board know that it was not an easy decision as he has enjoyed his many years with ADMC. He believes the current members are a dynamic group that is passionate about water quality and that ADMC is on the cusp of making a substantial impact on the drainage industry.
ADMC Chairman of the Board Charlie Schafer, Agri Drain Chief Executive Officer, said that “Kent has been a friend for over 40 years, and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time together fishing, attending meetings, dinners and hundreds of calls to discuss our approach to growing the industry. Kent is always focused on improving water quality, supporting ag as well as developing strategies to capitalize on ADMC opportunities.
Kent’s efforts and impact on many fronts will continue to create positive benefits for agriculture, the drainage industry, our precious natural resources and me personally for many years to come.”
His focus has increased the value of many family farms especially in Minnesota while his work with ADMC has helped to generate industry support to develop practices that work with a field’s drainage system to improve agronomics and water quality. While serving as president, Kent has been fully supportive of the development of alternative practice delivery systems which has increased the pace of drainage water management, saturated buffers, and denitrifying bioreactor adoption.
Kent has been in the drainage industry for 40 years, all of it with Prinsco, but is known throughout the industry for his ability to build relationships for the betterment of all. Keegan Kult, ADMC Executive Director, stated that “Kent has been a great mentor, and his calming presence was such a great asset for the coalition. While Kent always has a calm demeanor, you can tell he feels a sense of urgency to take the next steps in how we are managing our water resources.”
The foundation that Kent has contributed to ADMC has set the coalition up well to grow and make the substantial impact that has been part of his vision all along.