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...]

By Sara West Nutrient Management  Specialist, Fillmore SWCD  Be sure to check buffers along protected waters come spring. Since the buffer law was implemented in the fall of 2017, Fillmore County typically exceeds 99% compliance throughout the county.  I would like to commend the landowners that have put in extra time and effort to keep the buffers on their … [Read more...]

By Theresa Baker Administrative Assistant Fillmore SWCD October 3, 2024, marked Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District’s 37th year of offering the Fillmore County sixth graders to come and spend the day at Forestville State Park and learn about natural resources with in our county.  This year we had approximately 128 students from Fillmore Central, Kingsland and … [Read more...]

Livestock producers in Fillmore County who need to renew their registrations should have or will be receiving notice for updating their feedlot registrations for 2025.  Fillmore County currently has 568 registered feedlots.  Feedlots with 50 or more animal units, or 10 or more animal units in shoreland areas, are required to register.  Registration information includes … [Read more...]

By Doug Keene If erosion is visible, it exceeds tolerable soil loss limits and it is time to address the issue. We can pay up to $0.90 on the dollar to assist producers with the installation of practices to reduce soil and water runoff allowing you to keep productive soils in place for future generations.  In 2024, $190,737 State and $1,025,153 of Federal (EQIP) funds … [Read more...]