Staff photo by Fritz Busch Minnesota Land Improvement Contractors of America (LICA) President Dallas Loken of Owatonna is pictured Thursday at the convention and trade show at the Best Western Plus in New Ulm. The event begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. Friday.

NEW ULM — The 65th Annual Minnesota Land Improvement Contractors of America (LICA) Convention and Trade Show concludes Friday with education sessions at the Best Western Plus.

The organization strives to improve the business climate for contractors providing grading, excavating, drainage, landscaping, paving, wetland development and site preparation, to name a few.

Outgoing LICA President Dallas Loken of Owatonna said the annual event includes safety and “Competent Person” training, networking and fellowship for tile and heavy equipment manufacturers.

The term “Competent Person” is used in many OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards and documents. It is defined as “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

“We get associates here from other states including auction and plastic pipe companies that contractors use and how they can work together better,” said Loken. “We have many water quality management meetings. We’re here to help our contractors work to improve the environment with new technology and daily challenges in cities, farm fields, ranches and in rural areas. They work with dedication and commitment to the professional conservation of soil and water.”

Loken invites any contractors interested in joining the organization to attend Friday’s events.

With about 35 vendors and 50 members, the event begins with devotions at 8 a.m. Friday. The annual meeting and election of board officers and members is set for 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Gopher State One Call (GSOC) Chief Operations Officer Kelly Connolly will speak from 10 to 11 a.m. The organization is the communications link between facility operators, locators and excavators to ensure safe digging. It is Minnesota’s sole notification center for the location of public underground utilities.

Rinke Noonan Attorney John Kolb will discuss wetlands and drainage law changes from 11 a.m. to noon and 1-2 p.m.

Loken said a Minnesota State Patrol trooper will present information securing a load and permitting from 2-3 p.m.

“We can ask questions of him about rules of the law for dump trucks, semis and heavy things here instead of on the side of the road,” he said.

“We’re always looking for new members. Anybody can walk up and join. We offer scholarships through out the year. The current scholarship deadline is March 1,” said Loken.

For more information, visit http//www.mnlica.org/.