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...]
Newest employees attend statewide training
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...]
Staying compliant with MN Buffer Law
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...]
Local conservationists honored at State Soil and Water Conservation District Convention
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...]
What’s in your drinking water?
Private well owners, public water suppliers, cities, counties, and anyone else interested in having their water tested for bacteria should stop by the Fillmore SWCD office in Preston and pick up a test kit. Fillmore SWCD is certified by the Minnesota Department of Health to test for E. coli in wastewater, sewage sludge, and surface waters (e.g. streams, rivers, springs), and E. … [Read more...]
Ag BMP Loan Program
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...]
SWCD here to assist you in many ways
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...]
Reaching all corners of the county
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...]
SWCD awards scholarships to high school and college students
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...]
Endorsements to be added to those certified in the MN Ag Water Quality Certification Program
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...]