Pope Soil & Water

Providing Quality Conservation Resources since 1949

Providing Quality Conservation Resources Since 1949

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.

PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING FOR THE NORTH FORK CROW RIVER WATERSHED ONE WATERSHED ONE PLAN – What Matters to You??

Download Postcard | The purpose of this meeting is to present the North Fork Crow River Watershed One Watershed One Plan (1W1P) process and to gather information on local water management priorities. The 1W1P will affect water management within 13 local units of government. A planning work-group consisting of affected local units of government was created in early 2015 to structure and initiate the planning process. Your organization has been identified as a “local stakeholder” for this planning process. The meeting will be held on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 4:30 PM at the Wright County Courthouse, 10 2nd St NW, Buffalo MN 55313. Please join us in-person and/or online for a public meeting and Q&A session.

Access the meeting via live web stream visit co.wright.mn.us/AgendaCenter.

Can’t make it the day of the meeting, a recording will be posted and questions can be sent within 21 days following the meeting date to diane.sander@mn.nacdnet.net . Additional details regarding the North Fork 1W1P can be found on the Crow River Organization of Water’s website: www.crowriver.org

Environmental improvements are adding up in Pope County due to Legacy funding

Glenwood, Minn.— Nearly 15 environmental projects have been funded in Pope County on behalf of an application written by the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District thanks to the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment – and the improvements will start to add up. The Pope SWCD received notice in late January that they would be receiving $126,900 in funding. This funding will help address some of the erosion concerns that were a result of a storm event from June 2013. Projects that will be eligible for the cost share assistance will include: grade stabilization and water and sediment control basins. If you are interested in these types of practices and have erosion issues, contact Pope SWCD staff.
Through the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources’ (BWSR) Clean Water Fund grant program, nearly $60 million has been invested in “on-the-ground” projects, where citizens and local governments are installing conservation practices to improve the quality in our lakes, rivers, wetlands and groundwater.

Holly Kovarik, District Manager said investments made through these grant programs are noticeably improving Pope County lakes and rivers. These projects will be implemented in the next two years.

“Because of the Legacy funding, we’ve been able to complete more conservation projects than ever before. The lakes and rivers in Pope County are being cleaned up or protected and the funding is creating jobs and improving property values. It’s a win-win situation,” Kovarik said.