The Root River SWCD, Fillmore SWCD, and the MN Land Trust are partnering to present an informational workshop to local landowners who have an interest in conserving their land and protecting it for future generations.  The workshop will be held on Wednesday, March 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Rushford Fire Hall in Rushford, Minn. There will be information presented on a … [Read more...]

By Sara West Nutrient Management Specialist Farming is an incredibly busy and complex business where you rely on others for their professional advice with the assumption that they have the same goals in mind as you.  Communication is key in the success of any business including your farming operation. Nutrient Management is probably one of the more complex divisions of … [Read more...]

By Aaren Mathison Conservation Technician Are you interested in protecting the natural resources on your land? Is your land home to an abundance of wildlife and plant diversity? Maybe you want to protect your land from development in the future? If you answered yes to any of these questions, a conservation easement may be right for you. Conservation easements are … [Read more...]

The Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board of Supervisors are elected officials who serve a four-year term and are elected in the general election.  The office of supervisor is a nonpartisan office and each supervisor represents their entire district.  Supervisors meet monthly, discussing the business of the SWCD, setting conservation priorities, … [Read more...]

By Sue Wiegrefe, Administrative Assistant Most people can relate to the relief of stepping into the shade of a tree on a hot summer day. There are many less-obvious benefits of trees in our landscapes – for instance, their role in reducing noise, air pollution, and wind erosion. Their role in removing carbon dioxide from the air and holding it in solid form helps slow … [Read more...]

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...]