By Dan Wermager Technician, Root River SWCD No-till planting is a great tool for conventional farmers to use in order to help the environment. No-till planting can reduce erosion, improve infiltration, reduce runoff, and build organic matter. These are all very important things, because eroded soil is the #1 pollutant of surface water in the world. Erosion is an … [Read more...]
Free Manure Sampling and Spreader Calibration
By Bob Scanlan MN Dept. of Agriculture The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Houston County Environmental Services Office are offering free manure sample analysis and manure spreader calibration in certain townships of Houston County. Feedlot operators working in Black Hammer, Caledonia, Mayville, Spring Grove, and Wilmington Townships can take … [Read more...]
Prairie Strips
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...]
The Raging Root Adventure Arcade and Axe Throwing Opens in Lanesboro
Let the games begin in Lanesboro, Minn., as The Raging Root Adventure Arcade and Axe Throwing has opened its doors with a wide variety of games and activities to be enjoyed by people of all ages. And the games are only the beginning of the story. Owner Kris Paxton, who purchased the joined buildings at 110 Coffee St. E. and 108 ½ Coffee St. E. in March 2025, has the … [Read more...]
Seed & Stone at Thirty9Main
There’s a new unique store gracing Main Street in Harmony. Seed & Stone opened for business in August 2025 in the history-filled limestone building located at Thirty9Main. While the store is new, the actual building was built in 1907. The building first was home to the First National Bank. At that time, Harmony had a total of three banks. The Great Depression hit the … [Read more...]