Wadena Soil & Water Conservation District Blog

December 20, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Conservation practices are increasing across Minnesota to protect the land and waters, and those leading the efforts on their land were recognized recently at the state level. 

December 11, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Lance and Robyn Bragstad, proud owners of the Brakstad Family Farm, have recently become water quality certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). 

December 3, 2024 by Olivia Olson

When someone mentions forests, what comes to mind? You might think of large swaths of land covered with trees and other plants, perhaps older wooded ecosystems that have been around for decades or centuries. However, there is another type of forest that has gained traction over the past couple of decades, called pocket forests. This type of high-density forest was developed to be implemented on small scales - parcels (or “pockets”) of land anywhere from the size of a parking spot to a backyard, or larger if the land is available. 

November 5, 2024 by Nicole Lundeen

A watershed is an area of land that channels rainfall and snowmelt to streams, rivers, and lakes.

October 29, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Mark, Mike, and Kristine Spadgenske, proud owners of the Spadgenske Dairy Farm, have recently become water quality certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).

October 1, 2024 by Kristi Rorah

The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources' (BWSR) Lawns 2 Legumes program is a great benefit for homeowners looking to create pollinator-friendly habitats in their yards.

September 24, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Angie Litchy, proud owner of The Crafted Orchard & More in Crow Wing County, has recently been water quality certified with the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).

September 10, 2024 by Alyson Levig

True Vine Specialty Farms, a relatively new elderberry farm operated by Stephanie and Patrick Hockett in Otter Tail County, has joined over 1,400 producers in becoming stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).

September 3, 2024 by Olivia Olson

A pocket prairie is a small-scale native prairie planting under a few acres in size or can be as small as a garden bed.

August 14, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Earl and Coleen Hensel, proud owners of the Earthly Berry Farm in Hubbard County, have recently become water quality certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).

August 6, 2024 by Mitchell Janson

Irrigation plays a vital role in the sustainability of many farms in the Central Sands Region of Minnesota. Approximately 18% of the irrigated acres in Minnesota are in Otter Tail and Wadena County. 

July 18, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Nestled into the rolling hills of Deer Creek Township in East Otter Tail County lies the Moen homestead, the starting point of a farming operation established in 1951 by Carlton Moen’s father, Luther.

July 2, 2024 by Alyson Levig

What plant comes to mind when you hear the word ‘weed’? Canadian Thistle? Crown Vetch? Amur Maple? Maybe even Wild Parsnip? Well, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has these, as well as fifty-three other species listed on their official Noxious Weed List under the state’s Noxious Weed Law.

June 13, 2024 by Alyson Levig

The Gowin’s farming operation consists of cropland where corn, soybeans, wheat, and sugar beets are rotated.

June 4, 2024 by Alyson Levig

When it comes to aquatic invasive species (AIS), zebra mussels, starry stonewort, and spiny waterflea are typically the hot topics of the conversation. But did you know that a lesser-known aquatic invasive species quietly made its debut in Wadena County in 2009 and has slowly infested three major lakes?

April 29, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Last November, father-son duo Mark and Jason Fillbrandt, joined over 1,400 producers in becoming stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).

April 8, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Hough Farms, proudly operated by brothers Ryan and Michael, joins the rising number of producers becoming certified as stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) - a voluntary opportunity that certifies farmers taking the lead in implementing conservation-minded practices to protect water quality. The Hough brothers’ farm accompanies over 1,400 producers in Minnesota farming one million certified acres within the program.

March 26, 2024 by Alyson Levig

Two years ago, Glenn Hjelle’s farming operation joined the continuously rising number of producers becoming certified as stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). At the time, the voluntary program that certifies farming operations implementing conservation-minded practices garnered over 950,000 certified acres. Today, that number has risen to over one million along with over 1,400 Minnesota producers—a well-earned milestone for the almost decade-old program.

October 27, 2023 by Darren Newville

Soil and Water Conservation District, Soils Office, Soil Conservation Service, Soil and Water, what….? What is a Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) other than a mouthful, and why should you care?  I’ve been working for SWCD’s for over 25 years and I believe that 90% of the general public does not know what a SWCD is or what we do. So, what the heck is an SWCD?

October 18, 2023 by Alyson Levig

Gary and Lisa Marschall’s feeder cattle farm joins the rising number of producers becoming certified water quality stewards through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP)—a voluntary opportunity for farmers taking the lead in implementing conservation-minded practices to protect water quality. 

September 5, 2023 by Anne Oldakowski

“What is happening to my trees?” is the most common question that I’ve been hearing over the past month. 

July 10, 2023 by Alyson Levig

Beck Farms, Inc., operated by its 4th generation family farmer, Tony Beck, has recently become water quality certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). The program, which originated in 2014, is a voluntary process that certifies farming operations utilizing conservation-minded practices to protect water quality throughout Minnesota for 10 years.

June 14, 2023 by Alyson Levig

Michael Birchard and Peace Mitchell are now certified stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP), a voluntary program that certifies producers using conservation-minded practices to protect water quality. Their multigenerational black-owned farmstead, Frog Tree Farm, operates under a canopy of Pines, Firs, and Oaks nestled along the Crow Wing River.

June 10, 2023 by Alyson Levig

Underneath a canopy of aged hardwoods north of Crosby lies 10.5 acres of land dedicated to growing fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms for the local community. The operation is run by Derrick Justin, who recently became water quality certified through the Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP), on May 4, 2023. The program itself is voluntary and certifies producers using conservation-minded practices to protect water quality.

May 23, 2023 by Alyson Levig

Jason Teiken joins the rising number of producers becoming certified as stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) - a voluntary opportunity that certifies farmers taking the lead in implementing conservation-minded practices to protect water quality. Teiken’s operation accompanies over 1,300 producers in Minnesota farming more than 950,000 certified acres within the program.

May 19, 2023 by Alyson Levig

Bob Keranen’s grass-fed cattle farm joins the rising number of producers becoming certified as stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) - a voluntary opportunity that certifies farmers taking the lead in implementing conservation-minded practices to protect water quality. Keranen’s 320 acres of pastureland achieved water quality certification in April of 2022, accompanying over 1,300 producers in Minnesota farming more than 950,000 certified acres within the program.

April 24, 2023 by Alyson Levig

Four Hill Farms Inc., proudly operated by Nathan and Jacob Thompson, has recently become water quality certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). The program, which originated in 2014, is a voluntary process that certifies farming operations utilizing conservation-minded practices to protect water quality throughout Minnesota for a duration of 10 years. Throughout that time, producers are deemed to be compliant with any new water quality rules and maintain priority for technical assistance to implement more practices that promote water quality.

April 10, 2023 by Alyson Levig

Sedlachek Family Farms, operated under a partnership between Freddy Mogensen and Brian Sedlachek, has recently joined the rising number of farms becoming certified as Minnesota stewards of water quality through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) - a voluntary process that certifies producers using conservation-minded practices to protect water quality throughout Minnesota.