Redwood SWCD Blog
Our staff is constantly working on projects to conserve Redwood County’s natural resources. Here we share recently completed projects, conservation initiatives, and information and resources to help improve soil and water conditions in our region.
Redwood SWCD Attends Legislative Day at the State Capitol
Redwood SWCD attended the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) Legislative Day at the Minnesota Capitol on March 13, 2024. This allowed time for local board supervisors and directors to meet with legislators to express their concerns about policies and funding for upcoming years.
Redwood SWCD Board Chair Attends “Legislative Days”
Earlier this month, Jeff Potter, Redwood SWCD Board Chair, attended “Legislative Days” at the Minnesota State Capital in St. Paul. As part of this initiative, Potter advocated to our state lawmakers and explained the impact soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) have on Minnesota’s natural resources.
Soil Health Cost Savings
Working with producers, Redwood SWCD staff was able to collect and analyze the economics of using soil health practices and the findings were very insightful.
Local Conservationists Michael & Mary Hewitt to be Honored as Area Finalists at State Soil & Water Conservation District Convention
The Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) has named Michael & Nancy Hewitt of Walnut Grove as one of eight Area Finalists in the 2021 Outstanding Conservationist Award Program.
Redwood SWCD Providing Community Education to LINC
Redwood SWCD presented to the 2021 Redwood LINC troupe on conservation practices in the area.
Area Technical Training Team (ATTT) Staff Training
The Area Technical Training Team (ATTT) recently held staff training where we learned about equipment, growth stages of corn and soybeans, and soils. Farmers discussed their management strategies, implementation, and outcomes to share real life agriculture for staff to understand.
Fun In-Field Learning
The Redwood Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) partnered with Sustainable Farming Association (SFA), the Minnesota Office for Soil Health (MOSH), Renville Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), and the MN Soil Health Coalition (MNSHC) to put on an in-field, in-depth look at soil health management practice implementation and its effect on soils.
Learning the Economics of Conservation Practices Here in Redwood
The Redwood Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) secured Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) grant funding to work with farmers in the Ramsey Creek Watershed.
Noxious Weed Alert: Leafy Spurge
Leafy Spurge is a highly toxic weed found in our area beginning in late May. Now is the time of year to keep an eye out for it and address any presence of the plant on lands you own or manage.
Soil Monitoring, Could it Become a Thing?
In the land of 10,000 lands, water testing is a given. But what if we made regular soil testing and monitoring a mainstream practice, too?
Brian’s Soil Health Story
I started on my soil health journey in 2008 with the simple mission of someday offering my children the opportunity to be part of a healthy system that could be easily sustained. Since that time, I have implement several initiatives to increase the soil health on my land leading to environmental, logistical, and financial advantages.
Water and Sediment Control Basins
Throughout my career as a Water Quality Specialist I have focused on ways to help mitigate cropland erosion through the use of engineered structural Best Management Practices (BMP’s). Water and sediment control basins are a popular solution to reducing erosion in Redwood County.