By Aaren Mathison  Conservation Technician Every year, the MN Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts organizes a comprehensive, outdoor learning event that is one of the state’s largest environmental education competitions for junior high and high school students.  This Envirothon, as it’s called, focuses on aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and current … [Read more...]

By Sue Wiegrefe  Administrative Assistant For three days in November, the three newest Fillmore SWCD employees took part in training along with their counterparts from around the state at training organized by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). Laura Christensen, district manager; Nikki Shaw, Water Management coordinator; and Sue Wiegrefe, administrative … [Read more...]

By Anne Koliha, Technician A buffer is vegetated land adjacent to protected waters and is critically important to keeping our water clean, preventing erosion and provide habitat for wildlife.  The MN Buffer Law that was signed into law back in June 2015 and amended in 2016 and 2017 requires perennial vegetative buffers of up to 50 feet along designated pr otected … [Read more...]

By Anne Koliha, Technician The 2019 Outstanding Conservationists selected by the Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was Johnson Rolling Acres of Peterson.  They were honored at a luncheon at the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s (MASWCD) annual convention held on December 10 in Bloomington, where Outstanding … [Read more...]

The Ag BMP Loan Program  •Provides loans for projects that help reduce water pollution •Provides loans up to $200,000 with 3% financing for a max of a 10-year term  •Can be used with cost share programs  •Funding possible statewide  Who can get a loan?  •Farmers  •Rural landowners  •Ag supply businesses  What do we fund?  •Manure storage … [Read more...]

By Laura Christensen  District Manager What makes your land special to you?  Is it its ability to produce a crop or support livestock?  Is it the wildlife that call it home?  Is it a winding creek that provides an atmosphere to decompress?  Maybe it’s a combination of these reasons or something entirely different. Now ask yourself, what could make your land better?  Is … [Read more...]

Not only do we offer services in the office in Preston five days a week, we also host many events throughout the year around the county.  Some of these educational opportunities include our annual Prairie Walk in late summer or early fall, and the Forestry Field Day (which will be July 29, 2020).   We also educate the next generation by having a presence at the fourth grade … [Read more...]

By Sue Wiegrefe Each year Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District awards two $500.00 scholarships to individuals from Fillmore County studying natural resources, agriculture, or a related field at the college level. Our 2019 Graduating High School Senior Scholarship was awarded to Madilyn Smith, a senior at Fillmore Central High School. Madilyn, daughter of Todd and … [Read more...]

By Anne Koliha, Technician Already a certified farmer or agricultural landowner with the MN Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP)?  Well then, listen up because there are new endorsements that have been added to the program which you can seek.  The MAWQCP is launching three new endorsements in addition to the 10-year certification a farmer or agricultural landowner … [Read more...]

By Anne Koliha, Technician   It’s winter in Minnesota and the blustery winds are blowing.   Although some winters aren’t as cold and snowy as others, on the colder, windier days you may have wished for added protection against the elements.  On those days it’s difficult to imagine that spring’s not far away.  It’s not too early to begin planning a new windbreak … [Read more...]

By Anne Koliha, Technician When it comes to soil health and water quality, farmers have always been some of the most conscientious and concerned people.  This is due to their deep, hands-on connections with soil, water, and nature.  Over the years, great strides have been made in recognizing and improving soil health and water quality, due partially to the partnerships … [Read more...]

Hi! I’m Nikki Shaw, the new Water Management coordinator to Fillmore SWCD. I’m originally from Embarrass, Minn., where we have a much shorter growing season. The last few years, my parents and I have been trying out high tunnels and a variety of vegetables, namely tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Our first high tunnel went up in the spring of 2016, and our second in the fall of … [Read more...]

The Drinking Water Protection in SE MN Grant is a new grant focused on Drinking Water Supply Management Areas and townships with high well nitrates results based on the finalized reports from MN Department of Health 2018-19 study. To view the final reports you can log on to www.mda.state.mn.us/township-testing-program#Results.  In Fillmore county, these townships are Arendahl, … [Read more...]

By Doug Keene  Resource Conservation  Technician Change in weather patterns and the lack of conservation practices, heavy rains have caused excessive water runoff and soil erosion. We have seen increased interest for conservation practices such as contour farming, no-till, grassed waterways, terraces, grade stabilization structures and cover crops. Contact your … [Read more...]