By Aaren Mathison We are looking for farmers who have grown a cover crop for the 2024-25 season! A community science effort is bringing together farmers from across the upper Midwest to build a regional database of cover crop performance, which then allows for identifying what cover crops and management practices work best across different farming conditions. Partnering … [Read more...]

In 2024, Fillmore SWCD screened 247 drinking water samples for nitrate. Of these 247 samples, 27 were screened at 10mg/L and above, with the highest being 21mg/L. Of the 220 samples that were below 10mg/L, 51 were screened at 5.0-9.9mg/L. According to available well data, the samples that were screened at 10mg/L and above were older wells (1978 and older) with very little … [Read more...]

By Nikki Wheeler  Fillmore SWCD  Water Management  Coordinator Southeast Minnesota landscape is unique.  We have: karst topography, agricultural areas, bluffland area, and geologic layers that dictate the speed and direction of water moving from our surface through the soils and rock beneath. What are the drinking water standards? What can be done to … [Read more...]

See you at the fair! We look forward to seeing everyone when they visit our booth at the 2025 Fillmore County Fair, July 21-27! In 2024, we enjoyed speaking with landowners about their conservation efforts and goals, educating private well users on testing their water and running daily kids activities Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. … [Read more...]

(Article from MAWQCP, August 5, 2024) Over 1,500 producers and 1,100,000 acres have been Water Quality Certified in Minnesota. The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect our water. Water Quality Certified … [Read more...]

By Riley Buley Fillmore SWCD secured funding to treat 0.85 miles of stream banks along Maple Creek against the invasive knotweed. Originally brought to the U.S. as an ornamental plant, knotweed can cause harm to stream-bed areas and overcrowd native vegetation. It is a bamboo-like plant with broad leaves and white flowers that can reach over 10 feet in height. Knotweed … [Read more...]

By Jessica Bronson  District Conservation,  USDA/NRCS This past summer, Dean Thomas, SE Grazing Specialist, helped develop a grazing system that has 250 cow/calf pairs.  The EQIP participant converted their expiring CRP land into a new rotational grazing system and Dean was able to use his knowledge and personal experience to help this producer with developing the … [Read more...]

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommends testing your private well water every year for coliform bacteria.  This test can indicate if other infectious bacteria, viruses, or parasites may be in your water supply.  The Fillmore SWCD is an accredited lab by the MDH for the analysis of bacteria in your drinking water.  We are local, convenient, and can give you timely … [Read more...]

By Riley Buley, Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District, District Administrator Fillmore SWCD gets asked regularly about the status of local waterways. What are the current impairments? What stream sections are improving and which ones are getting worse? As it turns out, these questions on the status of local waterways are raised by communities nationwide. In … [Read more...]

By Sara West Nutrient Management  Specialist, Fillmore SWCD Would you like help creating a nutrient management plan for your farming operation? With the help of the Fillmore County SWCD, we can come up with a nutrient management plan before the new growing season arrives. By taking the time to understand your needs, goals and objectives related to nutrients on your … [Read more...]