The Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is sponsoring a native prairie walk on Wednesday, August 28 at the Tim and Susan Gossman farm, 31294 Ninebark Road, Chatfield, Minn. 55923. The walk will begin at 5:30 p.m. with information about how to collect native plant seed. The event is open to the public, and no pre-registration is required.The walk will last … [Read more...]
AmeriCorps crews improve trout streams, gain work experience via Root River SWCD
BLACK HAMMER TOWNSHIP — A trout stream bank stabilization project that started as an experiment on a Root River tributary has become a tested conservation practice in Houston County’s bluff country. This summer, for the sixth consecutive season, a Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa crew will harvest invasive cedar trees from nearby bluffs, and then anchor them to … [Read more...]
Laura Christensen steps in at SWCD
If you’ve stopped in to the Fillmore County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) office lately, you may have noticed a new face. That’s Laura Christensen, who was recently hired as district administrator. Laura explained, “I am replacing Donna Rasmussen. She’s been here a long time and has been a really big part of this district, so I have big shoes to fill… Donna … [Read more...]
New initiative for conservation planning
Hello, my name is Dan Wermager, with the Root River Soil and Water Conservation District in Caledonia, Minn. I want to get the word out that there is a new initiative for the entire Root River Watershed, with two priority areas being Torkelson Creek Watershed (in Fillmore County) and Money Creek Watershed (in Houston and Winona Counties). It is a mutual effort between local, … [Read more...]
SWCD Forestry Field Day is July 25 in Rushford Why trees? Why prairie? Why goats?
On July 25, 2018, the Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will be hosting a field day to explore how terrain, soils and aspect affect timber productivity, the types of plant communities found on a site, and identifying trees and plants that will thrive depending on the site conditions. The field day will be held at Magelssen Bluff Park in Rushford. The event … [Read more...]
Filing for SWCD supervisor candidates is May 22 – June 5, 2018
Minnesota citizens interested in influencing natural resources issues at the local level are encouraged to run for supervisor of the Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). SWCD supervisor positions are filled through general elections which will take place on November 6, 2018. Those interested in running for Supervisor should file at the County Auditor’s … [Read more...]
Resetting the topsoil trap Fillmore SWCD project restores capacity of 1955 flood control structure
The centerpiece of one of the first farmer-led conservation efforts in the U.S., a dam built in the 1950s to protect Preston from flooding, is being restored to its original capacity. The dam southwest of town maintained its flood-control function. But in 60-plus years, 15,000 cubic yards of topsoil filled the settling pond behind the earthen dike. By excavating that 7- to … [Read more...]
SWCD program highlights honey bees
On August 8, the Fillmore SWCD sponsored a Prairie Walk at the Savanna Spring Nature Area in Chatfield. One of the featured speakers was Joshua Burgess, a beekeeper from Marion, who spoke about his honey business and the importance of native prairies for producing honey and other crops and food products. August 19 was National Honey Bee Day, a day designated for educating the … [Read more...]