Cottonwood
   Soil and WAter Conservation District

Conservation Programs

Tree Program

• Field Windbreaks and Shelterbelts
  
  District staff will assist with the development and installation of field windbreaks and shelterbelts for County landowners and operators.
  
  
• 2010 Tree Price List
  
  Other items available are tree mats and staples, tree tubes and stakes and deer repellent.
  
  
• Tree Program Policy
  

                           Planting a Field Windbreak                             

Weed Badger

• In Row Tree Cleaning
   
  The Cottonwood SWCD in conjunction with the Jackson SWCD offers the Weed Badger (in row tree cleaning) to county landowners.
  
  During the 2009 season the charge is $45.00 per tractor hour and a $15 fuel surcharge.
  
  Please contract the Cottonwood or Jackson SWCD office for more information or to sign-up for tree cleaning.
  

Nutrient Management

• GBERBA Nutrient Management Specialist
  
  Through the Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance the Cottonwood SWCD has a Nutrient Management Specialist on staff to assist local landowners in completing Nutrient Management Plans for their farming operations.
  
  This program is offered to all landowners in GBERBA member counties at no charge.  Counties included are Blue Earth, Cottonwood, Faribault, Freeborn, Jackson, Le Sueur, Martin,  Waseca and Watonwan.
  
  Please contact Annalie Plaetz at the Cottonwood SWCD office 507-831-1153 Ext. 3.
  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Cost-Share Program

• Conservation Practices
  
  Through the State Cost-Share Program, landowners can request financial and technical assistance for the implementation of approved conservation practices that protect and improve water quality by controlling soil erosion and reducing sedimentation.
  
  This program provides up to 75 percent of the total eligible costs of a practice.
  
  Some of the most common practices are as follows:
  Critical Area Plantings, Field Windbreaks, Shelterbelts, Grass Waterways, Terraces, and Water and Sediment Control Basins.
  

• BWSR E-Link Reports

                Fiscal Year 2005 Report

                Fiscal Year 2006 Report

 

Ag-BMP Loan Program

• Agriculture Best Management Practices
  
  This program provides low interest financing to farmers, landowners, and agriculture supply businesses to encourage agricultural best management practices that prevent or reduce runoff from feedlots and farm fields and other pollution problems identified by the county in local water plans. 
  
  The District provides this opportunity through the MN Department of Agriculture and local banking institutions.
  

RIM/CREP Easement Programs

• Reinvest in Minnesota
  
  The RIM Program is a permanent and limited easement program administered through the Cottonwood SWCD by the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
  
  RIM/WRP Sign-up  June 26 - July 18
  
  
• Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
  
  Minnesota River and Des Moines River Watershed CREP easements are administered through the Cottonwood SWCD by the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
  
  

Rainfall Monitoring

• The Cottonwood SWCD works with 18 rainfall monitors across Cottonwood County and reports rainfall/snowfall results monthly to the State Climatology Office.
  

Groundwater Monitoring

• The Cottonwood SWCD reports to the MN Department of Natural Resources  the depth to groundwater readings from four wells in Cottonwood County.