A Banner Year for Conservation in Fillmore County

By Riley Buley

On behalf of Fillmore Soil and Water, I would like to thank the Fillmore County Journal for again providing a platform for us to update the public on what the District has been up to in 2024. Fillmore SWCD was optimistic to project a bright 2024 during our last newspaper update and appealed to area residents to continue implementing conservation practices on the land. I take great pride in reporting that Fillmore County residents made it a banner year for local conservation. Area residents signed up for voluntary conservation practices at historical rates, including, but not limited to:

• 18,866 acres of Best Management Practices (BMPs) implemented through the Alliance to Advance Climate Smart Agriculture, equating to $1,983,861 in cost-share payments administered. The most popular BMPs included: 

o  7,027 acres cover crops;

o 9,808 acres of nutrient management planning; and

o 1,482 acres of no-till/strip-till. 

• $408,664 loaned through the Ag BMP Loan Program for practices or equipment that reduces runoff;
• $30,730 of cost-share payments to producers to implement nitrogen fertilizer rate and timing reduction BMPs;
• 33 Manure Management Plans on more than 30,750 acres in southeast Minnesota;
• 500-plus acres of Rotational Grazing;
• 5 Grade Stabilization Structures;
• 47’ of Underground Outlets;
• 7,759’ of Grassed Waterways;
• 9,936 trees sold;
• 247 well samples screened for nitrates at no cost to the area residents;
• And much more!

I want to stress that the practices reported are largely adopted on a voluntary basis. This makes the success of our District’s program that of our area residents. Truly, our success is your success, and Fillmore SWCD thanks all who have participated in our programs.

In this insert, you will read about project highlights from my staff and opportunities to sign up for these programs should they be of interest. Fillmore Soil and Water has been hard at work administering conservation programs and cost-share dollars to both Fillmore County and the six counties within the Root River Watershed via the Root River One Watershed One Plan. Soil and Water Conservation Districts exist to assist residents with guidance, engineering, and/or financial support when doing conservation work. These technical/engineering services can be had at no cost to the landowner and select practices may be eligible for a cost-share ranging from 50%-90%. Here is a short-list of our most popular programs:

• Structural Engineering BMPs;
• Ecological and Soil Health BMPs;
• Manure and Nutrient BMPs;
• MN Buffer Law compliance;
• Well sealing; 
• Ag BMP low interest loan program;
• Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP);
• Water testing for nitrates (free) bacteria testing (fee based); and
• Reinvest In Minnesota (RIM) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

Please come visit us at 912 Houston Street NW in Preston. We look forward to assisting you. As always, if we cannot help you, we will work with you to find someone who can. 

Sincerely,

Riley Buley 

District Administrator (Manager)

Fillmore Soil and Water 

Conservation District