Bernhardson, Potter and Ruthchild of Redwood SWCD Meet with Local Legislators

Marilyn Bernhardson, Jeff Potter and Sunny Ruthchild, from Redwood Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), attended a legislative briefing and meetings at the State Capitol in St. Paul.

Breitkreutz family named Redwood County Outstanding Conservationists for 2010

Tony Krause, Editor

Redwood Gazette

November 22, 2010

Like many farmers, when the idea of getting involved with government programming was raised, Grant Breitkreutz was a bit skeptical.  So, he started doing some studying on his own.

"I researched the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) for years before I went and applied for one of its programs," said Breitkreutz, adding since then he has been involved with five different contracts through the USDA agency.

In fact, the Breitkreutz operation has enrolled in a variety of programs in an effort to enhance production.

Whether it is in erosion control measures or rotational grazing for the cattle, Breitkreutz is a believer.

He and wife, Dawn, have also been recognized for their conservation efforts, as they were recently named the Redwood County Outstanding Conservationists for 2010.   "We're proud of Grant and Dawn Breitkreutz for what they've done in conserving our natural resources in our area," said Marilyn Bernhardson, Administrator of the Redwood Soil and Water Conservation District, which nominated them.  "It's great to be able to recognize the work they've done locally."

Redwood SWCD''s reasons for nominating Grant and Dawn Breitkreutz for Outstanding Conservationist of the Year are endless.

Through the use of prescribed grazing, Grant and Dawn have been able to improve every system on their farm, including the addition of extended riparian buffer areas, restoring remnant prairie, improving erosion control measures, pest management and nutrient management.  "Grant and Dawn are exceptionally conservation minded with everything that they do."

Grant and Dawn Breitkreutz has also been names a Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation District (MASWCD) finalist for the state's outstanding conservationist award.

The Breitkreutz operation is going to be recognized at the MASWCD annual convention during a luncheon being held Dec. 7.  At that event, the Outstanding Conservationist of 2010 for the state is going to be named.

The operation, said Grant, includes no-till and mulch till practices, as well as the use of cover crops.  The crop rotation includes a variety of commodities, including corn and soybeans, as well as wheat, alfalfa, Italian Rye Grass and a unique crop called Tritcale, which Dawn described as a cross between rye and barley.

Grant said he moved toward the use of conservation practices, as he continued to read data showing the efforts were showing big returns for those utilizing them in their operations.

Their conservation practices have taken a whole-farm approach, as they address wind and water erosion prevention, as well as grazing on a prescribed schedule that allows certain paddocks of land to rest in between feedings.

Grant said the efforts are working out, adding there was a time when the efforts were cut back.

"We could see right away the difference when we cut back," he said.

The operation has been involved in EQIP through NRCS at various times over the past eight years, with everything from nutrient and manure management to pest management and fencing cost share programs all part of the operation.

Breitkreutz said he has a 39 mile fence perimeter set up with seven different large sized pastures being used.

The operation also includes custom fencing company, as well as a new custom baling operation called Circle B Custom Company.

The Breitkreutz get a lot of help from family, including Grants mom and dad and his brothers and he said none of what he does could have been done without their assistance.

Dawn and Grant admitted they were surprised to hear they had been nominated for the award.  Yet, one can see they are worthy of the award, because they have put in place practices that have the land in mind, which is good for the environment and their bottom line.

Representative Paul Torkelson, Marilyn Bernhardson, Senator Dennis Frederickson & Ralph Heiling

NEWS RELEASE

 Date: February 27, 2009

 Ralph Heiling and Marilyn Bernhardson of Redwood SWCD MEET WITH LOCAL LEGISLATORS

 Ralph Heiling and Marilyn Bernhardson, from Redwood Soil and Water Conservation District, attended a legislative briefing and meetings at the State Capitol February 24 in St. Paul.

 “It is important for us to get the conservation message out to our elected officials in St. Paul,” said Bernhardson, of Redwood Falls.  The 2009 Legislative Session will be a difficult one, as the state faces a large budget deficit, currently projected at $4.8 billion over the next two years and expected to grow.  “This year is a general fun year, which means legislators will address issues like district program funding and new funding for the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council.  With budget concerns being what they are at the state level, we have to work hard to make sure recognition of SWCD technical abilities and their work with private landowners doesn’t fall by the way-side.”

 During the visit to St. Paul, Ralph Heiling and Marilyn Bernhardson met with local legislators Senator Dennis Frederickson, Representative Paul Torkelson, and Representative Marty Seifert.

 SWCDs fill the crucial niche of providing land and water conservation services to owners of private lands.  Minnesota has 91 Soil and Water Conservation Districts.  For more information on the Redwood Soil and Water Conservation District, please call (507) 637-2427 Ext. 3.

Waukon RIM donates to SWCD

By Tony Krause                         Printed November 23, 2009 - Agriculture Today

Editor

          In the mid 1990s a group developed a plan through which land in the region would be acquired for recreational purposes.

          The land in questions was property the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) could not acquire, but it was land deemed marginal – better for its hunting, trails and habitat opportunities than for farming.

          The goal was to create a program through which conservation easements would be put on the land as a way to create more recreational spots in the Minnesota River Valley and out of that goal Waukon RIM was formed.

          Through the efforts of Waukon RIM working in conjunction with other groups, including the Redwood Valley Saddle Club, Pheasants Forever, the Minnesota Valley Riders Snowmobile Club, the Redwood Falls Sportsmens Club and the Morgan Sportsmens Club, about 600 acres of property was acquired.

          Then things changed.

          “In the early 2000s land prices started going up,” said Loran Kaardal, one of the organizers of Waukon RIM.  “We discovered we could not raise enough money fast enough to make a dent in land acquisition.”

          So, Waukon RIM became a land management entity with the philosophy of working to create places for public to use for recreation.

          The group then experienced increases in taxes and saw its maintenance costs on the rise.

          It was in 2003 when the board decided it was time to make a change.

          New laws on the books allowed the DNR to own and manage land including that owned by Waukon RIM.

          “Those substantive changes in the rule allowed us to have a bargain sale,” Kaardal explained.

          A bargain sale, he said is the sale of land for a modest amount – enough to at least pay off any current loans and bills.

          In turn, management of the land would be handed over to the state entity.

          “We recently completed the transfer of two of the three pieces of property,” said Kaardal, adding the hope is within the next 90 days to have the third piece transferred as well.

          What the sale allowed Waukon RIM to do was fulfill a promise it had made more than six years ago.

          That commitment was to donate funding to the Redwood County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for the building of a storage shed.

          A recent check in the amount of $35,000 from Waukon RIM to SWCD fulfilled that promise.

          “It took us a while to get there, but we did it,” said Kaardal, adding the shed is going to also be used by the DNR to meets its needs.

          Kaardal said some of the work on those trails is still being done, which is going to help create better access to recreational property for the public.  In the future, said Kaardal, the hope is to improve public access to Mann’s Lake which is located west of old North Redwood.

          “Basically Waukon RIM has gotten out of the land acquisition and management business,” said Kaardal.  “In many ways the vision continues and has matured and sprouted in the DNR and the Green Corridor Project.”

          Kaardal said there were many people who helped to develop and maintain the vision of Waukon RIM while it existed, especially he mentioned key board members Wally Bernhardson, Jim Larsen and Kevin Zaske.

          While Waukon RIM may have ended, its vision still exists, as more and more marginal land is taken out of production and used to better serve the public.

The ‘Extraordinary Contribution Award’ was presented to Marilyn Bernhardson, of Redwood Falls, by Minnesota Association of Conservation District Employees (MACDE) president Felicia Brockoff, on November 4^th, at the MACDE annual business meeting.  The following was presented at the meeting.  

Marilyn Bernhardson, Redwood Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) District Administrator, has been a leader in the conservation district movement.  Her dedication assists not only her own district, but districts at the area, state and national level.

Her work as a member and now Chair of Clean Water Council has been invaluable.  She has been able to share and communicate the important role of SWCDs and their work with private landowners, non point protection and restoration activities to various state partners and organizations.

As Chair of the MASWCD Legislative Committee she has been able to articulate the need for funding for SWCD programs.  Her role as chair assists the Association with prioritizing legislative initiative and helping to emphasize the need for her peers to work with legislators on SWCD policy issues.  She has been engaged with legislative policy issues at the local, state and federal level.

Marilyn demonstrates a strong passion for the SWCD mission.  She is a leader and a mentor to so many of her peers.  Marilyn’s work and dedication goes beyond her individual district and has been a champion for all SWCDs.

 SWCD funds available

Would you like to receive up to $7,444 per acre to place your land along rivers, streams, and drainage ditches into a filterstrip program?  Stop in or call the Redwood Soil and Water Conservation District at 507-637-2427 Ext. 3 to find out how you can sign up for the new program.   First come, first serve with only $3.25 million available in Minnesota.