2009

Annual Report

2009 continues to be busy with many changes for the Martin SWCD.  We have been actively pursuing grants in the last five to ten years.  Some of the grants we have received are Clean Water Partnership Grants (CWP), a Surface Water Assessment Grant (SWAG) from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and a grant for establishing local ecotypes from the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) - just to name a few.  The Clean Water Legacy Program is just starting to accept applications and award money for projects.  The future of funding and district organization in the State of Minnesota are topics of conversation at the local and state level.  The budge problems the State of Minnesota is experiencing will continue to serve the residents of Martin County by working with all our partners to bring programs, education and projects that will improve the quality of life in Martin County.  Partnership and educational programs are all continuing and expanding.  In this report we will be reporting on all the activities of the District in 2009.

The Martin SWCD will continue to “assist landusers of Martin County in efficiently utilizing the soil and water resources of our county.  The District will assist landusers in increasing the productive use of cropland, pastureland, woodland, and urban land (small cities) while maintaining the soils base, water quality, tree production and wildlife production”. 

Every January and June a “Conservation Update” is published in the Fairmont Photo Press.  Circulation of the weekly paper is county-wide in addition to neighboring counties and northern Iowa.  The Martin SWCD submits an annual financial report to the Board of Water and Soil Resources and also reports on funds received from the Natural Resources Block Grant (NRBG) and State Cost-Share through the E-Link Program.

The Martin SWCD also reports to the Martin County Board of Commissioners on the District activities, programs and funds received.

2009 SWCD Program and Services 

State Cost-Share Program

·         Available for conservation practices such as grass waterways, diversions, water & sediment control basins, terraces and windbreaks.

Conservation Easements (RIM, CREP, WRP)

RIM/Riparian Buffer

Ag BMP Loan Program

·         Low interest loans for conservation tillage equipment, manure management and septic systems

Wetland Conservation Act (WCA)

·         LGU for the County and technical assistance

Water Plan Coordinator

·         Water Plan Responsibilities for Martin County

Tree Program

·         Planning and design of tree plantings, sales of trees and mats.  Planting service available.

Seeding Program

·         Custom planting and also 6’ drill rental.

Native Buffer Cost-Share Program

Weed Management Area Grant

SWAG (Surface Water Assessment Grant)

·         Des Moines River Watershed

LCCMR (Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources) Grant

DNR Shoreland Grant

·         Grant beginning July 1, 2008 - workshops and shoreland planting

Elm Creek Project

·         Streambank restoration project/University of Minnesota partnership

Blue Earth River CWP

Education  Programs

·         Envirothon

·         Poster Contest

·         Soil Stewardship

·         Environmental Awareness Day

·         Envirothon

·         Rain Barrels Workshops

·         Rain Gardens Workshops  

·     Blue Thumb Workshop for Contracts and the Private Sector

·         Weekly Radio Program

·         First Grade Tree Program

·         Annual Greenwing Event

·         2009 Spring Expo Booth

·         2009 Martin County Fair Booth

·         Annual Tuttle Lake Days

Award Recognition

·         MASWCD 2009 Outstanding Conservationist

·         MASWCD 2009 Outstanding Supervisor Award and State Winner

·     MASWCD 2009 Media Award and State Winner  

·     MASWCD 2009 Community Conservationist Award

·         MASWCD 2009 Teacher Award

·         MASWCD 2009 Environmental Education Award

·         Biennially Volunteer Banquet (last banquet 2008)

·         BWSR 2009 Outstanding Employee

Precipitation Monitoring Network

Crop Equivalency Ratings (CER)

Living Snowfences

Observation Well Program

Federal Partnerships

Natural Resource Conservation Service

·         Provide assistance through Cooperative Service Agreements

·         Farm Service Agency – cooperate and provide assistance when needed

Joint Powers Agreements

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance (GBERBA)

·         Cost-share and technical assistance available

South Central Technical Service Area

·         Engineering Assistance

Jim Droegemueller Farms was recently honored as Martin SWCD's Outstanding Conservationist for 2009.  Jim is an environmentalist who cares about his land and is constantly looking at how he can preserve what he has.  He has two wetlands that have never been tiled and their integrity and local ecosystems have been maintained while many others have sadly disappeared and converted to cropland.  Jim farms some of the hilliest acres in Martin County and he works hard to save his topsoil.  Jim's farm edges two lakes that he has protected along their edges.  They also provide wildlife habitat and improve water quality.

"We're really proud of Jim and what he has done for conservation in Martin County,' said Kathy Smith, District Manager.  "Jim provides a wonderful example of conservationists.  Jim says his goal for his land is, "I want to leave the land better than I received it...."  Jim has been active in partnering with Martin SWCD, NRCS and FSA to implement programs such as CRP, terraces, waterways, mulch-till, wildlife enhancement projects, installing a water and sediment control basin, tree program and rock inlets with CWP.  It is these qualities that have made him Martin SWCD's 2009 Outstanding Conservationist.  Congratulations Jim.

In 2009, the $16,000 in grant funds plus $17,318 in-kind match and $2,000 cash match were spent and used to set up the organization to effectively administer the Cooperative Weed Management Area,  Education and training workshops were held on invasive species and their control, how to initiate some integrated control project work and replacement of invasive species with local ecotype native plants.

The Greater Blue Earth Cooperative Weed Management Area (GBE CWMA) was established in 2009 under a grant provided by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources.  The purpose of the CWMA is to work across jurisdictional boundaries to address invasive species issues. 

On September 11, 2009, the Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance (GBERBA) Policy Committee officially established the CWMA with the approval of the GBE CWMA Agreement.  Under the agreement, the GBERBA Joint Powers Board, by proclamation, declared all counties in their entirety, which have land within the Greater Blue Earth River Watershed to be within the boundaries of the GBE CWMA, and that all land and water, public or private within the boundaries of these counties is considered to be included in and shall be a part of the CWMA.

The Agreement specifies that the GBERBA Joint Powers Board shall serve as the governing body for the CWMA.   The Joint Powers Board is made up of a County Commissioner and Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor representing each of the counties located within the Greater Blue Earth River Watershed.  The primary focus of the GBERBA is to guide the implementation of natural resource projects and initiatives within the watershed and to assist with securing funding to implement those activities.

The Agreement also outlines the establishment of a Technical Committee to make recommendations to the governing body regarding an Annual Plan, Comprehensive Plan, Priorities, Programs, Purchase of Equipment and all aspects of the operation of the CWMA.  The Technical Committee operates as a subcommittee of the GBERBA Technical Committee which is made up of County and SWCD Staff and advisory agency staff. 

Under the Agreement, the CWMA Technical Committee is also to include members to represent organizations, business, industry, agriculture, local governmental units and the general public.  All natural resource agencies and organizations are encouraged to provide a representative to serve on the Technical Committee and provide guidance and support to the CWMA.

On September 11^th, the GBE CWMA Strategic Plan and Annual Plan were also approved.  These plans outline the priorities, strategies and tasks of the cooperating partners being pulled together and organized through the CWMA initiative. Integrated pest control and replacing invasive species with local ecotype native species provide a major project focus.

Strategic Plan goals feature Education and Awareness, Prevention, Early Detection and Rapid Response, Control, Prioritization, Partnership Development, and provide the tools to get the job done.

Holding information/educational meetings, identifying projects, prioritizing needs, providing the tools and holding hands-on demonstration/control projects are a few of the tasks completed under the Annual Operating Plan.

An Invasive Species Workshop was held at Cedar Park in Fairmont on October 15^th.  Cooperating sponsors included Martin County Planning & Zoning, City of Fairmont, MN DNR, Martin SWCD, University of Minnesota Extension and Rural Advantage.  Joe Eisterhold, Invasive Species Specialist with the MN DNR gave an invasive species presentation, highlighting species of local concern and species that we need to watch for before they are introduced or become established.  Rich Perrine, with Martin SWCD provided live specimens of several invasive species for hands on identification.  Following a just-for-fun weed identification quiz, prizes were awarded for participation.  The hands-on weed control exercise (Buckthorn) was not held because of rain.

A similar workshop was held in Mountain Lake on November 17^th.  Randy Schindle with MN DNR provided the invasive species presentation.  With good weather, the afternoon in-the-field Invasive Species (Buckthorn primarily) project tour/demonstration was held along the southeast shore of Mountain Lake.

Workshops planned for Blue Earth and Waseca were put on hold.  These and others are expected to be scheduled for 2010 and additional workshops and educational events throughout the GBE CWMA are priorities for 2010.

Caches of hand tools, sprayers and chemical are being set up in several locations for future workshops, demonstrations and small projects.

Besides County departments, SWCDS, and those already mentioned, the Farm Service Agency, U S Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Fox Lake Conservation League, Martin County Conservation Club and the City of Mountain Lake are among those who have contributed cash and/or in-kind toward the project during the startup grant period.

At the October, 2008 Invasive Species Conference in Duluth, Bonnie Harper-Lore with the Federal Highway Administration stated, “invasive species cost us $123 billion per year and that cost continues to grow.”  Invasive species take over 4,600 acres per day.”

With the ominous task of controlling the spread of invasive species and their devastating impacts, the GBE CWMA can use all of the help it can get.  Take an active role in the Invasive Species battle.  Contact Martin SWCD to find out how you can participate.

The Martin SWCD Native Buffer Cost-share Program encourages the use and development of plant materials with a Martin County origin.  Projects that will concentrate on declining species, and those that incorporate only local ecotype native plants are a high priority.   In 2009, Martin SWCD encumbered $15,000 at 75% cost-share on five projects with a total project cost of $20,000. 

Step out of your home to the mild fragrance of native wildflowers and the gentle wave of multicolored mosaic of blossoms and foliage as the summer breeze brushes across your recently converted landscape.  As you take in the bustle of the diverse array of native pollinators floating over and settling into the newest blooms, beetles, moths, bees and butterflies, you ponder, “do I miss the smell of oil and gasoline on my hands, the deafening roar of the lawn mower and the sweat running down my dust covered face as I sit in the hot sun meticulously shaping the turf to look as nice and uniform as that next door.”   

To Native Buffer Cost-Share Program participants, you can bet the answer to that question is NO! Besides reducing the amount of time and work associated with maintaining the landscape, and the strict timeline of traditional lawn care, native plants offer many benefits that are often overlooked.  Deep rooted native plants are more self sufficient, going after moisture and nutrients several feet into the ground.  Although they may be as much work as a lawn for the first couple of years, they do not need to be pampered once they become established.  Following the increased abundance of new insects thriving in the habitat native plants provide, new species of wildlife soon move in to take advantage of the new and varied supply of insects, berries and seeds. 

The Martin SWCD Native Buffer Cost-share Program is designed to increase the availability of local ecotype (Martin County origin) native plant material, while protecting surface and ground water.  Planting filter strips or buffers around wells and along surface water bodies, helps protect and improve water quality.  Using plant materials that originated from local native populations helps to preserve and increase the amount of native plant material available for future restoration projects.  A primary focus is to provide a source for species that are currently unavailable and species that seem to be rare and/or in decline locally. 

The program provides reimbursement for up to 75% of site preparation, seed, planting and establishment costs.  Land with a crop history and land planted to provide a source for local ecotype seed, is eligible for rental payments at 75% of CRP rental rates during a two year establishment period. 

Contact Martin SWCD for more information at 507 235-6680 or stop by our office.

The Native Buffer Cost-share Program fits well with the locally established goals of utilizing local ecotype native plant materials to provide a “no impact zone” within a minimum of 200 feet of surface waters regardless of land use.   (Martin County Water Plan)

Concerned about climate change?  Native plants store many times the amount of carbon in their extensive root systems than the shallow roots of turf grass do.   And native plants remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than a manicured lawn is capable of.  The amount of energy used and carbon dioxide released from lawn maintenance is also reduced with a native landscape. 

Martin SWCD held its annual “Harry Stewart Environmental Awareness Day” on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at Heritage Acres, located on the west side of Fairmont .  Over 250 fifth grade students attended.  The goal has always remains the same, and that is to help our young people of Martin County become more aware of their responsibility to the environment and the need to maintain or improve it.  Heritage Acres provided an excellent learning environment which included four stations held indoors, and the University of Minnesota Raptor Center outside.   Each station has a different environmental topic for the students to learn from and enjoy.  The stations consisted of Watersheds, Native Prairie, a Soil Tunnel and The Raptor Center. 

 2009 MARTIN Monthly Precipitation, Totals   

The Martin SWCD is involved in the Statewide Rain Gauge Precipitation Monitoring network where we provide observers with precipitation forms and rain gauges. The SWCD gathers the completed forms and forwards them once a month to the State Climatology Office (SCO).  Martin SWCD has some very dedicated volunteers, and without their help the program would not be possible.  All of our volunteers do a tremendous job and we thank them for their important public service!  Anyone interested in becoming an EarthTeam Volunteer please contact our office for more information.   Check out www.martinswcd.net for more information on this program and for month to month reporting.  The State Climatology office also maintains a web site that has information on present weather conditions, rainfall and snow depth maps, drought monitors, historical data and other information on our weather:  www.climate.umn.edu.

If you are enrolling into any type of conservation program, or just need to do some seeding,  the Martin SWCD can handle all of your needs.  Available are two drills, a six foot no-till drill for the small jobs such as grass waterways or small filterstrips,  a ten foot drill for the larger sites, and a vicon broadcast seeder to handle any type of site.  You can rent our six foot drill, or have us custom seed your site with our vicon seeder, or our ten foot drill.  You can also have the Martin SWCD order the seed that will fit your site.  If you are interested in renting the drill, or contracting with the SWCD to do custom seeding, you can stop in to our office, or call us at 235-6680. 

Our 2010 rates are as follows:

DRILL RENTAL:

In Martin County: $8.00 acre with a $50.00 minimum

Out of Martin County: $10.00 acre with a $75.00 minimum

CUSTOM SEEDING:

In Martin County: $25.00 acre.

Out of Martin County: $30.00 acre.

The Prairie Ecosystem Restoration Project is just the start to rebuilding our native plant populations. The sources for this project are the small, very beautiful and diverse prairie remnants scattered about Martin County. Walking along a ditch off of County Road 32 in Center Creek Township one can view Canada Anemone, Prairie Phlox, Ground Cherries, and Porcupine Grass in the space of about thirty feet. At other sites around the county move into the fields in mid to late summer and watch the bright, purple swaying spikes of Blazing Star or catch the nodding flowers of the Maximillian Sunflower that can stretch seven feet into the sky. In late summer catch the iridescent blue of the Bottle or Fringe Gentian or walk through fields of Big Blue Stem, Little Blue Stem, and Indian Grass. Late summer’s drought allows one to investigate shallow wetlands to find Big Burr Reed with their knobby, spike-tipped balls, walk through tall River Bulrush that towers over 6 feet, or smell the sugary fragrance of Sweet Flag. These are a few of the eighty-seven species which were found this past summer, and they are about half of the species that have the potential to grow here again. Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).

On June 8, 2009, four interns joined us to continue the work plan for the Prairie Ecosystem Restoration Project which began in July 2008. Before the interns could collect seeds and plant or transplant native forbs and grasses, they had to take a crash course in plant identification. Rich Perrine began their education by walking them through ditches and properties of program participants looking for plant species of interest. Leah Rode-Mulder returned to help again and Blake Bents, Dustin Anderson, and Kristy DuBois were the new additions to our team.  Sandy Roberts came aboard to help out after the interns went back to school.  They learned the plants’ distinct physical characteristics in order to distinguish between the different species. The interns were also lucky to have State Biologist Nancy Sather teaching them plant identification when she was in Martin County conducting inventory of Minnesota’s Native Plant populations.

Many species have similar leaf or stem structures in the juvenile stage and one has to wait until the plants mature to see distinct physical characteristics such as flower shape or color, plant height, or even smell. At times it took all four interns to figure out what type of plant they had found. By the end of June they were quite adept at identifying twenty different species.

The early spring plants were past their blooms by June so the interns had to rely solely on plant structure to correctly identify what they were looking at. Some of these petite beauties were Yellow-Star Grass, Blue-Eyed Grass, and Prairie Violets. Interns had to search carefully under the tall grasses and forbs to find these smaller native plants that average six to eight inches in height.  This process was time consuming, and when they located plants, interns inserted waypoints into the ever-present GPS unit.

GPS technology is a must-have tool in locating the various native populations. The interns covered twenty-five different locations around Martin County. Some sites were more diverse than others and it would be impractical to memorize the locations of the different species. We transferred these waypoints to a GIS map which will aid in the location of these plant populations in the future.

Martin SWCD was very lucky to have Jim Anderson of Wild Prairie Nursery and David Stubbe of the Flower Market in Jackson partner with us. They provided nursery space for the 2,000 seed tubes of Blazing Star, Ground Plums, and Pasque Flower. Thank you Jim and Dave!  The crew watered and nurtured the plants until late fall when we let the plants go dormant to be housed in the SWCD shed.  In the spring they will be planted on RIM easements.

Martin Larson, Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, verified the eighty-seven different plant species on the collection sites. Verification is crucial to maintaining Yellow Tag eligibility for future commercial producers of native seed.

We have had many volunteers helping us collect, shell, and clean seeds in preparation for planting in the spring. Thank you to 4-H club members, Martin County West High School students, Cathy Jobe, Jim Hatch, Pat Murphy, and Eileen Boesch. Spring is fast approaching and we will continue with seed tray and soil preparation, planting, and site monitoring. Volunteers will be needed with the planting and any help that can be provided will be greatly appreciated.  The funds that were spent from this grant over the months of January 1, 2009 through January 29, 2010 was $43,859.

CRP includes practices such as Filterstrips, Farmstead Shelterbelts, Living Snowfences, Grassed Waterways and Wetland Restorations.  Payment rates are very attractive, and also include cost-sharing for establishment of all practices. Our County has utilized all of these practices, however, because of the many miles of ditches and streams in our County, Filterstrips still remain the most popular.  These strips of native grass bordering our ditches and streams help filter out sediment prior to entering our water systems, and also provide food and protection for wildlife during the year.  Grassed Waterways and Wetland Restorations also help with sediment and help slow surface water. 

Another popular CRP practice is a Farmstead Shelterbelt.  This practice helps establish a new shelterbelt (grove), either by a farmstead, or an existing livestock facility, to help protect against winds.  To be eligible for the Continuous  CRP program, you must have a crop history, meaning at least four of six years of crop production  from 1996-2001.  Contracts are either 10 or 15 years.  If you would like to enroll into the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program, or find out more information about this program, you can stop into the Farm Service Agency office at 923 North State Street or call 507-235-6661 and ask for Gloria.  

Sealing a well, improving an ag waste system, creating or improving a grassed waterway or terrace, installing a windbreak, planting a rain garden, creating a wetland restoration project – are these projects you would  consider implementing to improve your farm operation or farmstead?  At times, people have come into the Martin County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)/Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office after they have completed a conservation project. The time to come to our office is when you are in these beginning planning stages.  The SWCD and NRCS staff can assist you in determining the best conservation practice for your project.  Once your project is determined, cost share options can be discussed and taken into consideration. There are guidelines to follow in order to receive cost share, the first being the project cannot start until a contract is accepted and signed.  Funding for cost share is based on availability of funds and ranking of applicants.  Both of these vary year to year, so a producer can reapply for cost share if their project was not considered with their first application. Stop by the Martin County SWCD/NRCS office at 923 N State Street, Suite 110 and talk with our staff about your conservation project idea. We are here to assist you.

Our County has been fortunate enough to be administering the Agricultural Best Management Practices program since 1995.  The AG BMP or (State Revolving Fund) was established by the Minnesota Department of Ag, specifically designed to give agriculture producers incentives to use sound farming practices with the use of low interest loans.  Over three million dollars have been loaned out through this program for sound farming practices. since it has began. 

The low interest loans can be used for purchases of conservation equipment, such as high residue field cultivators, no-till drills, planters, liquid manure applicators, and strip-till equipment.  The program can also be used for rural septic upgrades.  Producers pay a 3% interest rate with a 1/2 % origination fee, and have between three to five years to repay the loans.  For more details on this program, stop in to our office or contact us at 507-235-6680.

Collecting the rain that falls on your roof can help your garden and save some of your water usage.  A rain barrel is simply a large container that captures rainwater at the end of your downspout.  A ¼ inch of rain falling on the average home yields a little over 200 gallons of water.  A rain barrel will fill within minutes during a small rain. 

When rainwater falls on your rooftop, it runs off into gutters and downspouts and approximately only ¼ inch will soak into the soils of the surrounding landscape with everything else, stormwater, flows into the street.  Rain barrels are a fantastic way to reduce stormwater and reduce the amount of fresh water being used up during dry weather. 

Martin SWCD has worked diligently in locating barrels and offering kits to promote this program.  Unfortunately, our supply and source of barrels has been depleted and we apologize that we have not been able to keep up with the demand.  We have located a new supplier and are proud to offer Oak and plastic barrels.  To obtain a 2010 Rain Barrel Order Form please visit www: martinswcd.net or stop by our office. 

USDA Programs Available

Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP)

Want to learn how to reduce ditch maintenance costs, reduce erosion, provide wildlife habitat and earn money at the same time? Enroll your land adjacent to ditches, streams, rivers and wetlands into the CRP.  The minimum width for the filter strip practice is 30 feet up to a maximum of 120 feet.  You could also enroll more land depending on whether you have highly erodible land or floodplain lands.  There are many other practices you can enroll into through the CCRP including wetland restorations, grassed waterways, riparian forest buffers, field windbreaks and farmstead shelterbelts. Contact the USDA’s Farm Service Agency and ask about the CRP program as the FSA is the fiscal agent for the program and the NRCS office delivers the technical assistance.   Call 507-235-6661 for more information and ask for Gloria.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers who want to institute better soil and water conservation practices on their land.  EQIP focuses on threats to gully and other water erosion, feedlot runoff, overgrazing, and other water pollution sources. Cost share is available to eligible USDA participants who are interested in such practices such as: ravine and field erosion stabilization through water and sediment control basins and terraces, pasture management on grazing land, feedlot improvement projects to help runoff control, nutrient and pest management planning and many more practices.   

Minnesota Nutrient Management Initiative (NMI)

In a joint effort between the MDA (Minnesota Department of Agriculture) and USDA NRCS, the Nutrient Management Initiative is designed to allow willing producers to run test plots of varied nitrogen or phosphorous rates for data analysis and be financially awarded through the EQIP program. The data will be used to compare test plot rates to the USDA rates that follow the University of Minnesota’s recommendations.  More information may be acquired through your local USDA office or Brian Williams, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture representative at: 507-665-6806 or at: brian.c.williams@state.mn.us.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

WHIP is a voluntary program that is available for farmers that are interested in improving their land into high quality habitat for the support of fish and wildlife populations.  USDA-NRCS provides eligible farmers with technical and financial assistance.  Many types of land are eligible for this program in various practices such as but not limited to: wetland restorations, stream bank and shoreline protection, tree/shrub establishment, thinning and releasing of trees through forest stand improvement practices, prescribed burns, and native grass plantings. The WHIP program is also set up on a flat rate basis like EQIP and payment rates are based off of 75% the average cost of the selected practice.

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

CSP program changed dramatically in the 2008 Farm Bill from its predecessor the Conservation Security Program. This new program focuses on encouraging additional conservation practices in addition to improving, maintaining, and managing existing ones. Eligible lands now consist of the new addition of non-industrial private forest lands, cropland, and pasture land. Interested persons may review and select from the more than 100 enhancement practices from the CSP program on line:  http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp2/2009/jobsheets.html.  Those interested in applying are encouraged to use a self-screening checklist to determine if this new program is suitable for them and their operation. These checklists are available at the local Fairmont field office and online at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html.

Web-Soil Survey

Define, View, Explore, and Check-Out Four basic steps to analyzing your own soil data online!

<http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov>

•  
• A Quick, easy, and alternative method to acquire the information that you want when you want it
• Consists of a variety of thematic maps and reports you can either print or download
• Allows access to full soil survey content
• Generates soil data from its chemical to its physical properties
• And it’s FREE!

We would like to thank all of the producers and landowners of Martin County for their continued interest in conserving land in Martin County.  With the 2008 farm bill now being put into place, we look forward to providing more conservation programs and technical assistance for you.  If you have natural resource concerns on your land and are interested in making a commitment to conservation, NRCS may have a program that will work for you.  To find out more about NRCS programs please contact the local NRCS office at (507) 235-6670.  You may also want to visit the Minnesota NRCS website at www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov

Phone Number:  507 235-6661

Fax Number:  507 235-8171

In April, 2009 Martin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) began a two year CWP assessment grant of the tributaries of the East Fork of the Des Moines River (EFODMR). The EFODMR flows through the southwestern corner of Martin County to Lake Okamanpeedan. The Okamanpeedan Lake Association, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Emmet and Martin County SWCDs and concerned citizens are partners in this project.

The East Fork is listed as impaired for turbidity, affecting aquatic life. The sediment carried by the East Fork Watershed is deposited in Lake Okamanpeedan. In 1973 a Corps of Engineers report determined the original depth of Lake Okamanpeedan was 30 feet as compared to today, a depth of 10 feet.

The primary goal of the East Fork CWP Grant will be to assess the tributaries of the East Fork through monitoring and completing a stream inventory to determine sources of point and nonpoint pollution. Personnel of the Martin SWCD will be walking the banks of all tributaries noting tile inlets, conservation practices, other forms of drainage, erosion, and biological data such as the presence of fish or native plants. Once the assessment is complete, Martin SWCD Personnel will contact property owners and producers to discuss the results.  Working together, we will develop point specific best management practices that fit their operation and reduce sediment at the same time.

The East Fork CWP grant will complement data collected through a surface water assessment grant (SWAG) that began in 2008. The SWAG grant funds the collection of water quality samples at three sites and citizen volunteers grab samples at 10 other sites. Based on the results of the assessment, we will develop an implementation plan to address pollution sources.

Another goal of these grants is to show that production agriculture and water quality improvements can work toward the same goal, clean water. This is why the input of property owners and producers is so essential. We need to be site specific on our solutions.

We want to thank the concerned volunteers for their work this past year. We look forward to visiting with producers to review the assessment of their operation as it concerns the tributaries of the East Fork and develop a strategy for production agriculture to advance the goal of clean water.

Landowners need to be aware that the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) may regulate any and all activities that take place in wetlands.  Most landowners are aware of provisions within the Federal Farm Program that utilizes program eligibility leverage to discourage activities that could result in wetland impacts.  But what is often not fully understood is that the Wetland Conservation Act may still apply to activities that affect wetlands, even if the Farm Program benefits are not an issue.

The way wetlands are defined is also slightly different between the state WCA and the federal farm program.  To be safe from penalties and from having to remove drainage or fill from a wet spot, both the Farm Service Agency, which relies on the Natural Resources Conservation System for technical assistance, and the Martin Soil and Water Conservation District should be notified about any proposed activities that could affect wetlands.

Any spot on the landscape that is even slightly wetter than the area around it should be considered a wetland until it is documented otherwise.  To be a wetland, the area doesn’t need to have standing water or even stay wet throughout the year.  Type One wetlands may just be saturated or hold water for just a few days in the spring or after heavy rains and stay saturated only slightly longer, then within a couple weeks they may dry out and not seem very wet for the rest of the year.  These areas may still be classified as wetlands, and if they are, draining, filling and other activities that could impact them would be regulated under WCA, the Farm Program or both.  

In December, the Martin County Board of Commissioners appointed Rich Perrine as the Authority for WCA.  Martin SWCD is designated to serve as the LGU and Rich was delegated to serve as the authority to sign WCA forms.  

So to be on the safe side, if you are planning drainage, fill or other activities in or near a wetland, be sure you have checked with the Farm Service Agency for Farm Bill compliance and also with Rich Perrine at Martin SWCD for WCA compliance.

A 1026 form is completed for activities that are regulated by the federal farm program.  An exemption form can be completed for activities that do not have any restrictions under WCA.   

In November of 2007, the first of a five stage stream restoration began on a short section of Elm Creek in section 2 of Center Creek.  The restoration project was aimed to stabilize and restore an impaired section of Elm Creek.  The project will demonstrate cost-effective methods that can be implemented to reduce channel erosion, sediment load, and enhance channel stability.  Construction involved re-grading channel banks, and placement of natural tree structures and root wads that will divert streamflow away from actively eroding banks into an abandoned oxbow channel.  By doing this, it will help reduce erosive peak flows.  The final phases were completed late this summer which included planting native grasses on upland areas, and planting willows on the perimeter of the creek which will help stabilize the stream bank..  This project was sponsored and conducted by the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Martin County SWCD.     

2009 Poster/Video Contest “Our Soil – A Layer of Life” by Cathy Thiesse

“Let’s consider our world not as inherited from our parents but as borrowed from our children.”  Unknown Kenyan

Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) developed this education contest for youth to promote the importance of protecting our resources.  In 2007, at the MASWCD Convention, a Resolution was passed to discontinue this program in 2009.  Many SWCD’s rallied and introduced a new Resolution at the 2008 MASWCD Convention to reinstate this contest and thankfully it passed!   We at Martin SWCD are proud to work with our local teachers and students on promoting this important message to our youth and look forward to continuing this program. 

This year’s packets will be disbursed to schools and home-schooled facilities in February 2009.  Martin SWCD is an important community resource that is here to help incorporate conservation and environmental education into your curriculum or workplace.  The education materials include information which teachers and their students can use to become more familiar with their natural environment and learn what they can do to become better stewards of our land and water.  Upon receiving the materials back from the students, it is obvious of the amount of knowledge these kids learn and receive through this curriculum.  We cannot thank the teachers who choose to utilize this free curriculum and pass it along to their students.    Each year a new topic is covered with specific rules to follow.  Students may participate by drawing a poster, mural or creating a video.  Please use us as a resource to educate yourself and your students on activities ranging from soils to wildlife.  Please visit our website for our area’s 2008 winners at:  www.martinswcd.net.

HOME