LE CENTER, Minnesota Feb. 24, 2017 Farmer, business professional and conservationist, Ruth Hoefs has been named the Ducks Unlimited Minnesota State Chairwoman.

Hoefs takes over leadership of the states 42,000 members and nearly 160 chapters. Her two-year term began at the DU Minnesota State Convention on Feb. 10 and 11 in Willmar.

"We have a strong volunteer group that does an amazing job," she said. "Our chapters pour their heart and soul into Ducks Unlimited and its mission to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl."

Her passion for Ducks Unlimited started and continues on her homestead in Le Center, her childhood farm thats been in her family since 1953. She farms 350 acres, and as a farmer, is a vocal proponent of sustainable agricultural practices. Hoefs farm is about 20 miles from the Minnesota River, a significant waterfowl migration corridor.

On her land she has helped waterfowl habitat in a few ways, such as putting up a ditch buffer along a country drain to reduce runoff. She earned the 2013-14 Le Sueur County Conservation Farmer of the Year.

"Im here to help restore, and hang on to, the habitat that is there for the ducks. It can be there for the future," she said.

Farming is only part of Hoefs daily life. She manages two Genesis Growing Solutions Convenience stores, is a member of the Le Sueur County Fair Association Board and the Le Sueur County and Minnesota Cattlemens Associations, and is a member of the St Johns Lutheran choir and hand bell choir.

Learn more about Ruth Hoefs, and Ducks Unlimited in Minnesota, at www.ducks.org/Minnesota.