Tips and tales about keeping water clean
This fall, conservation districts across the state are providing new funds to farmers to implement soil health practices including no-till, cover crops, and prescribed grazing. Funds can also be used for pollinator plantings, as well as pasture and hay plantings. The program is part of an initiative by Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources to build better, more resilient soils in order to ensure long-term food security and protect lakes, rivers, and streams from water pollution.
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At Chain Lake Pastures, Rick utilizes a holistic approach to farming known as regenerative agriculture, which aims to restore and improve the health of the land, water, and ecosystems. His conservation ethic also led Rick to become a board supervisor for the Chisago SWCD in 2023.
This fall, the Chisago SWCD celebrates its 75th anniversary and Rick Cedergren is happy to carry on a family tradition – growing healthy food and healthy soil in northern Chisago County.
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Over the course of his career, Jim Birkholz has supported SWCDs around the state, established a thriving family-run orchard, and helped to complete dozens of large-scale land and water protection efforts in Chisago County.
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For small farmers, it can be challenging to find the right combination of products and services to create a farm operation that is truly sustainable, both ecologically and economically.
Meet Austin and Ruth, owners of a small farm in May Township that offers therapy sessions with bees.
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Water monitoring data has shown a steady improvement in Hay Lake’s water quality over the past ten years as a result of planting projects completed on the land in the surrounding watershed. In 2022, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency officially “de-listed” Hay Lake, meaning it is no longer considered impaired.
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Jim and Caroline are stewarding farmland in the St. Croix Valley that has been in the family for more than 140 years.
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When working with farmers to improve soil health, soil scientists will sometimes begin by digging a soil pit. It is somewhat like an archaeological dig, except the focus is on finding geological clues to the past, as opposed to pottery or dinosaur bones.
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On August 1, Brittany Wiitala and Matt Hardy will share their farming stories during a special workshop hosted by the Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership: You’ve got Land: Exploring farming and land management options for 10-40 acres.
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In addition to hiring Jennifer Hahn as a Minnesota Extension agronomist to serve the region, the partnership is hosting workshops for large and small-scale farmers; offering incentive payments for cover crops, nutrient management, prescribed grazing and tillage management; and conducting listening sessions with beginning farmers at Big River Farms in May Twp.
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The Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership has hired a Minnesota Extension agronomy outreach specialist – Jennifer Hahn – and has earmarked more than $200,000 to support soil health practices and conservation plans for farmers in the local region.
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East Metro Water 