By Dan Wermager Technician, Root River SWCD An exciting opportunity for prairie strips is now available for area farmers. Prairie strips are a fairly new CRP practice. They reduce erosion, improve water quality, and create insect and bird habitat by establishing strips of native prairie vegetation on a field. They can be placed across a field in one or more contour … [Read more...]
The Many Benefits of Cover Crops
By Dan Wermager Technician, Root River SWCD As you are driving through the area in late fall or early spring, you may notice more green fields than you normally would. If it’s not a hay strip, then the green vegetation you are seeing is likely winter rye that has been planted as a cover crop. Cover crops are gaining a lot of traction in the area in recent years, and … [Read more...]
Tap-In – Free Well Test Kits Available
By Jean Meiners Technician, Root River SWCD The Minnesota Department of Health is offering free well test kits for eligible homes in eight southeast Minnesota counties. Your household may be eligible if: 1) A private well is the main source of drinking water for the place you live, 2) The private well is in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha or … [Read more...]
Potential Opportunity for Feedlot Operators in Houston County
By Bob Scanlan MN Dept. of Agriculture The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is working with farmers and crop advisors located in Houston County townships where 10% or more of the private wells tested over the nitrate Health Risk Limit (HRL) of 10 mg/L. Those townships include Black Hammer, Caledonia, Mayville, Spring Grove, and Wilmington. This pilot program is … [Read more...]
Well Decommissioning
By Jean Meiners Technician, Root River SWCD Do you have an inactive, unused or abandoned well on your property? Every unused well that is not properly sealed poses a safety, health, and environmental threat to your family and community as well as a potential legal risk to the homeowner. Children and small animals can easily fall into an unprotected, open well. Also, … [Read more...]
What’s Moving Into Your Backyard?
By Zack Glaunert Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist Houston County In recent years, there has been growing awareness on certain invasive plant species that have been encroaching upon our landscapes. Some of you may be familiar with the species in this article. Some of you may have already had the pleasure of combatting one or all of these species, and know just how … [Read more...]
Fillmore and Houston County Land Rent Survey Results
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON and CALEDONIA, Minn. November 11, 2025 — Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s land rent survey. Survey results indicate a continued increase of average rental rates while the weighted average remained flat in Fillmore County. Houston County saw an increase of both averages this year. Updated … [Read more...]
FFA Team Wins Big at National Convention
Tenth grade twins Charity and Grace Kingsley have been a part of FFA with Fillmore Central for four years now, but this year was their first time attending the FFA National Convention with their team and fellow FFA members. Twenty-three students from the Fillmore Central FFA chapter attended the October 29-November 1 convention in Indianapolis, Indiana this year. Most of the … [Read more...]
Minnesota Cover Crop Selector Tool Updated
By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension PRESTON and CALEDONIA, MN, October 21, 2025 – Earlier this month, significant updates to the Midwest Cover Crops Council’s cover crop selector tool for Minnesota were published. A group of Minnesota researchers, agency staff, seed dealers, and farmers came together with Midwest Cover Crops Council staff to discuss … [Read more...]
MN Fall Beef Classic Held in Preston
The Fillmore County Fairgrounds was a bustling place October 16-19 as the MN Fall Beef Classic was held in Preston. Usually, this show is held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds; this year, due to construction, a new site needed to be found. Enter a committee that decided to take on the event and hold it at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds. Amanda Bedtke, Autumn Feine, … [Read more...]