Reprinted from The Working Conservationist, Spring 2009

By Ken Preston

Cody Anderson grew up Potlatch on the same farm he works today. He graduated from Potlatch High School in 1986 and then attended Lewis Clark State College. After receiving his associate's degree in Auto Body technology he moved to Sandpoint to experience his first job in the Auto Body business. He returned after one year and worked in a local auto body shop for the next ten years in addition to working part time on the farm. Despite working the two jobs, Cody managed to find the time to attend the University of Idaho where he completed a dual major. He received Bachelor degrees from the College of Business in Management Information Systems and Production Operations Management, Presently Cody has served on the Latah Soil and Water Conservation District (Latah SWCD) board of supervisors for nine years. He served as Vice-Chairman during his second year and as Chairman consecutively for the last seven. Cody married his wife, Kris, in 2006 and they are currently raising three daughters.

Cody Anderson has seen many changes occur during his nine years with the Latah SWCD. "The main thing has been the growth", he says. "We have gotten a lot bigger. When I began volunteering we had just a few really small projects. Today we are looked upon as innovative leaders with major projects and multifaceted interests and outreach projects. We have also become much more diversified as a group. We used to be mostly production agriculture, but now we have expanded into all sorts of natural resource concerns." Cody says he hopes the growth and influence of the Latah SWCD will continue to expand and prosper. "There are a couple of areas in which I would like to see the District play a role", he states. "First, there is the issue of sediment runoff from all the unpaved roads in this county. It all adds up to being a major source of sediment pollution in streams. Secondly, I hope the District can find a way to address the issue of some of the urban runoff pollution." Specifically, Cody sees all of the impervious surface runoff as a severe contributor to stream health and water quality. "All the parking lots and paved streets and driveways serve whatever is spilled on them to the storm drains, and that is eventually transported to streams." Cody points out, "Gasoline, oil, hydraulic fluids, chemicals and who knows what all else, washes from those paved surfaces and eventually ends up in the streams." When asked about his vision for the future and if he has any major concerns Cody said, "I don't have any major concerns for the distant future. I don't think about that too much. I tend to focus on the more immediate problems that are here and now." However, he does envision the Latah SWCD becoming more oriented toward urban issues, endangered species, and anadromous fish, and renewable energy because those are issues of the times. According to Cody, the biggest challenge facing the Latah SWCD in the more immediate future is "the challenge to balance our staff and projects, while remaining focused on our mission statement." Cody firmly points out, "We want to remain true to ourselves and our roots. We don't want to become one of those entities that are just chasing money." While Cody is proud of the all the Latah SWCD has become, he admits to worrying about the sustainability of it and ensuring that it doesn't all "lose its balance and come tumbling down. I worry about that a lot", he says.

Cody attributes much of the Latah SWCD's success under his watch to a remarkably, cohesive group that seems to thrive in a symbiotic relationship of differing backgrounds, perspectives and ideas. "We are a unique group in as much as we come from very different backgrounds, and yet, are very comfortable in disagreeing with each other", he says. "We throw out a lot of ideas, opinions and alternatives, and somehow we come up with decisions that seem to work." With a bit of a smile, Cody adds, "I wouldn't enjoy serving on a Board where we all agreed all the time."

Cody recalls when he first volunteered to join the Latah SWCD. The overwhelming TMDL process was just beginning to hit full force. "It was scary and stressful", he says, "many of us feared it would kill farming in this region." Since that time, he has seen it come full circle to where, "it may have actually helped (farming) in the long run because it brought money and knowledge and innovation." Cody has also seen the political connections of the Latah SWCD dramatically mature. "It used to be that no one knew who we were. And now, we have regular contact with our political representatives both locally and in Boise." For example, Cody notes the annual breakfast meeting the Latah SWSCD hosts for the County Commissioners. It allows the Latah SWCD the opportunity to showcase its conservation efforts. Also, he says he has found great support from our legislative representatives in Boise. Cody says, "I've had a lot of interaction with the legislators and they are very pro-Districts. I found them to be very open-minded and willing to take time to visit and discuss issues of importance, and to actually take action on our behalf at times."

When asked what he might like to leave behind as his legacy with the Latah SWCD, Cody paused for a moment and said, "Well, I was a part of a very critical time for the District. The role of the Districts, in relation to the role of the Soil Conservation Commission, had become unclear. It was an extremely trying time. It caused me a lot of stress and many times I thought about quitting." Then, with both pride and relief audible in his voice, he said, "But now that it's over, I'm really glad I saw it all through. I think we have clear roles, responsibilities, and authorities established now. I truly believe it has all been for the best...and I can say, ‘I was a part of that', and be proud of it."

With a smile of reflection, Cody says, "There is one last thing I would like to add, and it is the most important of all to me. I want to thank my wife, Kris, for her amazing patience. There were many times I brought stresses home with me, and Kris was always there with encouragement and support. I owe her more than I can say."

Cody Anderson's leadership and passion for Latah County can never be questioned. He has helped the Latah SWCD through its most trying times, and through its greatest period of growth and professional distinction. His commitment, dedication and personal sacrifices to Latah County are beyond reproach. He lives his philosophy of civic duty, and we are all beneficiaries of it.