Pope Soil & Water

Providing Quality Conservation Resources since 1949

Providing Quality Conservation Resources Since 1949

Pope SWCD Attends Legislative Days

Holly Kovarik and Jessica Oldakowski from Pope Soil and Water Conservation District, attended a legislative briefing and meetings at the State Capitol March 21-22nd in St. Paul.

They joined a group of other officials from the state’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) who met in St. Paul to gather support for conservation districts’ programs and issues.

“It is important for us to get the conservation message out to our elected officials in St. Paul,” said Kovarik.  The 2016 Legislative Session will be critical to the future of conservation programs in the state, noted Kovarik.  “This year legislators will address issues including buffers, appropriations of constitutionally dedicated sales tax funds, bonding funds, and policy issues.  Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts are an integral component for enhancing Minnesotan’s quality of life through conservation on private lands, which yields environmental, wildlife and aesthetic benefits to the public.

During the visit to St. Paul, Kovarik and Oldakowski met with local legislators Representative Paul Anderson, Representative Jeff Backer, and Senator Torrey Westrom.

The event was sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

SWCDs fill the crucial niche of providing land and water conservation services to owners of private lands.  Minnesota has 89 Soil and Water Conservation Districts.  For more information on the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District, please call 320-634-5327 or visit our website at www.popeswcd.org.

 

Contractor Workshop to be Held March 10, 2016

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE | Pope SWCD would like to invite contractors to a workshop on March 10th, 2016 at the Pope County Courthouse Community Room.  The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. to around Noon.  Topics will include: state and local funding and program requirements, federal program and funding requirements, county ordinance requirements, and implementation of conservation best management practices.  All contractors working in Pope County are encouraged to attend.

Engineering staff will be in attendance and will be able to answer questions on design and construction installation of these best management practices.  This training will only be held once every two years and is a partnership effort between the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District, Pope County Land and Resource Management Office, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.  Information provided will be helpful for contractors to understand program and project requirements as well as permitting.

Please pre-register by calling 320-634-5327.  We look forward to your attendance and discussing the conservation work that is currently being planned by agencies for the next couple of years within Pope County.

Dorrich Dairy Named 2015 Outstanding Conservationist for Pope County & Area Finalist for state Award

1511MNWaterQualityFarmThe Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) has named Dorrich Dairy, Glenwood, Minnesota as one of eight Area Finalists in the 2015 Outstanding Conservationist Award Program. Dorrich Dairy will be recognized at a Dec. 8 luncheon at MASWCD’s 79th annual convention in Bloomington. The awards program recognizes farm families, individuals, conservation organizations, and other groups for their accomplishments in implementing conservation practices and improving Minnesota’s natural resources.

Of the eight finalists, one will be announced as the State’s Outstanding Conservationist of the Year at the Dec. 8 luncheon.

“We’re proud of Dorrich Dairy and the Vold Family for what they’ve done in conserving the natural resources in our area,” said Tom Talle supervisor of the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District, which nominated Dorrich Dairy and the Vold Family for the awar1511DorrichDairyd. “It’s great to be able to recognize the work they’ve done locally. They’ve provided a wonderful example for us by implementing buffers, no-till, pest and nutrient management, wildlife practices, water reuse, cover crops, and much more,” he said. They are also very active in the community and provide education an outreach to the community to share their expertise about agriculture. Dorrich Dairy was also just recently recognized as the first operation certified in Pope County through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Ag Certainty program.

MASWCD sponsors the Outstanding Conservationist Award Program, with support from The Farmer magazine.

Irrigation Clinic to be Held December 16, 2015

Download Postcard | Irrigators mark your calendars to attend an Irrigator’s Clinic to be held at the Lakeside Steak and Chophouse in Glenwood, MN on December 16, 2015. This event will be of interest to anyone who is actively engaged in irrigation on ag lands.

A great line-up of speakers has committed to participating in the event representing: Irrigators Association of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) and Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Our groundwater has become a topic discussed more frequently and there has been considerable debate about its sustainability. In the past two years pilot groundwater management areas are discussing quantity and quality concerns related to groundwater. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has been working on an update to the appropriation water permit process and soil and water conservation districts and other agencies and landowners have been a part of that process locally in the Bonanza Valley Groundwater Management Pilot Area. We are pleased to be able to share some of this more recent information with landowners and especially landowners that use irrigation.

There are several other great topics to be addressed during the day including; irrigation technology, an irrigator panel, the state buffer program, water appropriation permitting with thresholds, the MN Ag Water Quality Certification Program, irrigation related programs, projects and incentives, and nutrient management on irrigated soils. The event begins at 8 AM with registration and concludes at 2:45 PM. Lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is requested by sending $10 to Holly Kovarik, Pope SWCD, 1680 Franklin Street North, Glenwood, MN 56334 by December 11, 2015. For more information contact the SWCD’s in Douglas, Kandiyohi, Pope or Stearns counties.

SWCDs fill the crucial niche of providing land and water conservation services to owners of private lands. Minnesota has 89 Soil and Water Conservation Districts. For more information on the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District, please call 320-634-5327 or visit our website.