By Jennifer Ronnenberg Water Management Coordinator The Root River One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) was approved in December 2016 by its 13-member policy committee, following approval by the MN Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR). The Root River 1W1P Policy Committee was formed in 2015 for the preparation of one of the state’s first comprehensive watershed scale … [Read more...]
Minnesota Buffer Law
By Rick Grooters Resource Conservation Technician and Anne Koliha Engineering Technician In the summer of 2015, Governor Dayton signed into law a new buffer initiative aimed at enhancing the protection of Minnesota’s waters. The buffers are to protect our water resources from erosion and runoff pollution. The buffers are to be installed by November 1, 2017 on all DNR … [Read more...]
Fillmore SWCD 2017 forestry field day theme is “Using fire for vegetation management”
The Fillmore SWCD 2017 Forestry Field Day will be held Wednesday, July 26 at Forestville State Park. This year’s theme, “Using fire for vegetation management (without calling 911!)”, will cover topics such as comparing a site that has been burned on a regular basis with one that has not, the permitting process, creating a firebreak, how woodland burning differs from grassland … [Read more...]
Fillmore SWCD celebrates 75 years!
By Donna Rasmussen Administrator 1942: The U.S. had just entered World War II. The nation was finally recovering from the Great Depression. The Dust Bowl of the 1930s had begun a movement to conserve our precious soils. And the Civilian Conservation Corps was winding down its work to install soil conservation practices. It was in this climate that the Fillmore Soil and … [Read more...]
Meet the SWCD Board of Supervisors
The SWCD Board of Supervisors is comprised of five supervisors, one from each district of the county. Supervisors serve a four-year term and are elected in the general election. Fillmore SWCD supervisors are elected at large – meaning that all eligible voters throughout the county are able to vote for the open positions. This past November three supervisors were elected. … [Read more...]
Fillmore County storm water basins get facelift
By Jennifer Ronnenberg Water Management Coordinator A partnership opportunity between the Fillmore SWCD, Fillmore County, the Conservation Corps of MN, and the Fillmore County Sentence to Serve crew gave some local storm water structures a much needed facelift. Two existing water retention basins at the Fillmore County Office Building in Preston were renovated in November … [Read more...]
Have you considered CRP on your land?
By Caleb Fischer SWCD Conservation Technician The loss of grasslands has hurt native bird species, pollinators, and water quality, as well as pheasants. Between 2007 and 2014, populations of dickcissels declined by 72%, grasshopper sparrows by 50%, bobolinks by 45%, and meadowlarks by 22%. Pollinators like honeybees, native bees and butterflies, have declined at alarming … [Read more...]
Southeast Minnesota on-farm nitrogen trials
By John Boyum In 2015 and 2016, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) partnered with Fillmore SWCD, Wabasha SWCD, University of Minnesota, and University of Minnesota Extension to implement 103 on-farm nitrogen trials. Participating farmers and crop advisers were able to compare nitrogen rate, timing, source, stabilizer, rate after manure, and rate with first year … [Read more...]
What is a grade stabilization structure?
By Doug Keene Resource Conservation Technician A grade stabilization structure is an embankment built across a draw or drainage way to take runoff from a higher elevation to a lower elevation while preventing gullies from extending upslope. Grade stabilization structures not only provide many benefits to water quality, they also provide a water source for wildlife. They … [Read more...]
It’s that time of year…district tree sales have begun
The SWCD has once again begun its annual tree sales program. We offer a variety of bare root shrubs, deciduous trees and conifers and potted conifers. We sell good quality trees, but offer no guarantee of survival. Quantities are limited, so order your trees early for the best selection. Payment is required with your order and should be received at the SWCD office by Friday, … [Read more...]