Watonwan County Soil and Water Conservation District

04/30/2026

Possible uses: CRP tree related plants and field windbreaks

04/29/2026

04/22/2026

The most cost-effective way to get started with soil health is to pick a small step that makes sense for your own farm.

Keep it simple and don’t worry about changing the whole farm at once. Implement the small step and then identify the next small step.

This is how it went for George Sill, a farmer in Madelia. He started with the small step of reducing tillage on sandy hilltops. No-tilling the hilltops helped him gain the confidence to expand no-till to the rest of the farm.

Through an evolving process that continues today, George has put together a soil health system that reduces his expenses💲, sustains or improves yield🌽, and takes better care of his land🌱.

In the video linked below ⬇️ George tells us how he gradually put the economic pieces together and shifted resources toward a different style of farming.

🌱Click the link to watch:

1 like. "Small steps lead to fuel and fertilizer savings"

04/14/2026

GrazeHERS is a hands-on grazing program designed for women in livestock and pasture management. Learn practical skills through 4 virtual sessions and on-farm experience at Port-Haven Farm in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.

Online sessions start May 14--> mnglca.org/grazehers

03/23/2026

Did your farm fields experience considerable erosion during last week's winter storm?

Contact us today to learn how reduced tillage and cover crops can reduce erosion in your field! Funding is available to implement cover crops, reduced tillage, and more. 507-375-1225

02/24/2026

Watonwan SWCD has funding available for no-till/strip-till and cover crops! These practices can address your management goals by reducing erosion and compaction, increasing organic matter, and suppressing weeds.🌱

Call our office at 507-375-1225 to get started today!

02/06/2026

The Watonwan SWCD annual tree and native seed sales are back! Stop in our office to fill out a form or call us at 507-375-1225 with questions.

Please note, trees and native seed mixes will arrive at the end of April. Order form and 50% of payment MUST be received at the SWCD office by February 20, 2026.