We can have productive agriculture and clean water in the Sauk River watershed. By now, you’ve probably heard about conservation agriculture practices. But how do you get started? At the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District, we can work with you, one-on-one, to find ways to improve productivity and resilience on the farm while protecting our lands and waters.
Conservation Planning
All farms are different and there’s no one size fits all approach. Our expert staff will work with you and your team of agronomy and farm advisors to assess the unique needs of your operation and create a roadmap to achieve goals using proven conservation techniques. This whole-farm approach will maximize your eligibility for financial assistance to implement practices and turn your plan into reality.
In-Field Practices
Conservation practices on your cropland will protect our land and waters while providing benefits to the farm, both in the short and long term, by improving soil health and reducing inputs.
Structural Practices
Long-lasting, structural fixes limit the amount of nutrients and sediment entering waterways. These practices provide storage of manure for improved agronomic utilization and help improve animal welfare.
Habitat & Easements
Many operations include marginal land that is difficult to profitably farm in most years. In those unproductive areas, the Stearns County SWCD works with landowners to create wildlife habitat to improve fishing and hunting opportunities, while also doubling as water quality treatment.