Pope Soil & Water

Providing Quality Conservation Resources since 1949

Providing Quality Conservation Resources Since 1949

2017 Tree Pickup Announced

Landowners that have placed a tree order with the Pope SWCD can pick up their trees on the following days and times.

Friday, April 21st 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 22nd 8:00 a.m. to Noon

Please pay by check if possible or settle up your balance before the tree pick up day.  All landowners who ordered will receive a statement in the mail within the next week or so.

The tree pickup location will be held at the Kelly Erickson Farm west of Starbuck on Hwy 28.  The address is:  33125 State Hwy 28, Starbuck, MN 56381.

Please note:  Trees and shrubs are bare root unless you ordered potted.  You will want to plant your trees as soon as you can to ensure the best survival of the trees/shrubs.  The tree/shrub roots will need to be kept moist until planting.

You will be notified if there are changes to the pickup day.  Please arrange to pick up your trees/shrubs at these scheduled times.  If you cannot make arrangements to pick up your trees during these times then please contact our office at 320-634-5327.

Sincerely,

Kelly Erickson, Technician

Pope Soil and Water Conservation District

Governor Dayton Pursues $795 Million in Funding for Clean Water, Wildlife Habitat

Plan would partner with landowners to enroll up to 100,000 acres in water quality conservation efforts

ST. PAUL, MN – Continuing his work to improve water quality and wildlife habitat, Governor Mark Dayton today submitted a $795 million proposal to the United States Department of Agriculture for a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) for Minnesota. This federal, state and local partnership would work with farmers and other landowners across Minnesota to implement conservation practices on up to 100,000 acres of land to restore and protect water quality. Funding provided through CREP would provide additional financial support for farmers and landowners as Minnesota works to implement bipartisan buffer legislation enacted last session.

“This CREP funding would help tremendously, as Minnesotans work together to be even better stewards of our land and water,” said Governor Dayton. “We have begun to reverse the serious deterioration in the quality of water in parts of our state. But much more remains to be done. This is everyone’s challenge and everyone’s responsibility.”

The proposal submitted today focuses on prioritized and targeted acres that would provide the greatest water quality and habitat benefits. It would fund the implementation of buffer filter strips, wetland restoration projects, and wellhead protection efforts. The CREP proposal is  a five-agency effort, led by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and including the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

“Minnesota has a plan to improve water quality and enhance habitat, backed by sound science and local Soil and Water Conservation District readiness,” BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke said.  “This CREP would get Minnesota closer to its natural resource goals.”

State support is already building for Minnesota’s CREP proposal. Bipartisan support at the Legislature yielded $35 million last session for conservation efforts, which will provide part of the required state contribution necessary to leverage federal CREP dollars. The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council has also recommended the Legislature approve $20 million in Outdoor Heritage Fund in the upcoming session. Additional state matching funds will be considered by the Legislature in the upcoming session.

About the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is an offshoot of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the country’s largest private-land conservation program. Administered by the USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA), CREP targets high-priority conservation issues identified by local, state, or tribal governments or non-governmental organizations. The proposed federal, state and local partnership would voluntarily retire environmentally sensitive land using the nationally-recognized ReInvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve program. This is accomplished by establishing conservation practices via payments to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural land owners.

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.