Many explored the Soil Health Tunnel at the Waseca County Fair July 14-18, 2021. If you have any questions or comments on the display or programs, please contact the office at 507-835-0603 or stop by at 300 North State Street, Door #4 (south side street).
Each year the Waseca SWCD and Waseca NRCS hold a Local Working Group Meeting. This meeting, as all SWCD Meetings, is open to the public. The meeting is usually held in June. It is to get suggestions and input from local landowners on the programs and opportunities that are available. It is also to give ideas on new programs that landowners would like to see in the future. If you have not attended one of these meetings in the past, please plan to attend in the future or call the SWCD Office to give your ideas and/or opinions. All input is welcome.
Afton Finley, Librarian and Mark Schaetzke, Waseca SWCD District Manager
Books on Soil Health
February 13, 2020
The Waseca SWCD donated books on Soil Health to the Waseca-Le Sueur Library, in Waseca with the help of funds from Compeer Financial.
The books are: The Soil Will Save Us by Kristin Ohlson, Teaming with Microbes by Jeff Lowenfels, The Hidden Half of Nature by David R Montgomery, A Soil Owner's Manual by Jon Stika, Organic No-Till Farming by Jeff Moyer, Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations by David R Montgomery and Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth by William Bryant Logan.
February 13, 2020
The Waseca SWCD donated books on Soil Health to the Waseca-Le Sueur Library, in Waseca with the help of funds from Compeer Financial.
The books are: The Soil Will Save Us by Kristin Ohlson, Teaming with Microbes by Jeff Lowenfels, The Hidden Half of Nature by David R Montgomery, A Soil Owner's Manual by Jon Stika, Organic No-Till Farming by Jeff Moyer, Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations by David R Montgomery and Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth by William Bryant Logan.
2019 SROC Open House
Cheri Brummund and Tyler Polster participated in the 2019 SROC Open House at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca on Thursday, September 12. Many questions were asked about Cover Crops, Tree Ordering and Pollinators. Even though it rained throughout most of the event, a large number of area residents showed up to learn of the many great things the University has to offer. A special Thank You to SROC for giving us the opportunity to participate in this wonderful educational and learning event.
Cheri Brummund and Tyler Polster participated in the 2019 SROC Open House at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca on Thursday, September 12. Many questions were asked about Cover Crops, Tree Ordering and Pollinators. Even though it rained throughout most of the event, a large number of area residents showed up to learn of the many great things the University has to offer. A special Thank You to SROC for giving us the opportunity to participate in this wonderful educational and learning event.
Soil Health Research Tour-August 22 Farmamerica
The tour was led by Gene Kuntz of Farmamerica, discussing the importance of Soil Health. He also showed the plots they have at Farmamerica and explained how putting in the cover cover crops of radish, cereal rye and kale were improving soil health.
NRCS Soil Scientist Dan Nath and Area 7 Soil Health Technician Dean Thomas, both from Rochester, demonstrated the Rainfall Simulator and effects of 1 inch and 2 inch rainfalls on soil filtration abilities on 5 different types of field soil structures.
CRWP Conservation Program Manager Alan Kraus explained what the Cannon River Watershed Partnership is doing to promote Soil Health.
The tour was led by Gene Kuntz of Farmamerica, discussing the importance of Soil Health. He also showed the plots they have at Farmamerica and explained how putting in the cover cover crops of radish, cereal rye and kale were improving soil health.
NRCS Soil Scientist Dan Nath and Area 7 Soil Health Technician Dean Thomas, both from Rochester, demonstrated the Rainfall Simulator and effects of 1 inch and 2 inch rainfalls on soil filtration abilities on 5 different types of field soil structures.
CRWP Conservation Program Manager Alan Kraus explained what the Cannon River Watershed Partnership is doing to promote Soil Health.
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It was Great seeing you all at the 2019 Waseca County Fair! Congratulations to Andrew Byron for winning the 20 Acres of Cover Crop Seed! |
Thank you to Waseca County Planning & Zoning and Waseca County Health Services for Sharing the Booth Area with us this year.
New Richland Farm & City Days
Wonderful seeing so many at
Farm & City Days in New Richland.
Congratulations to Paul Lynne, the winner of 50# of
Cover Crop Seed.
FarmAmerica Taste of the Farm
June 11, 2019
Taste of the Farm is an annual event hosted through
Waseca County Farm Bureau. It was held at FarmAmerica. Although the weather was not cooperative, many attendees still got to experience the tours, food and activities. Families got to ask questions about different aspects of farming. Tours were given throughout the FarmAmerica Grounds. A great deal of information was given by Waseca County Sheriff's Department, Waseca County CERT, Waseca County Fair, Rebecca Thompson, D.D.S., Waseca Corn and Soybean Growers, Central Farm Service, Crystal Valley Coop, Guardian Energy, Mayo Health Systems, Waseca Farm Bureau, and Waseca SWCD.
June 11, 2019
Taste of the Farm is an annual event hosted through
Waseca County Farm Bureau. It was held at FarmAmerica. Although the weather was not cooperative, many attendees still got to experience the tours, food and activities. Families got to ask questions about different aspects of farming. Tours were given throughout the FarmAmerica Grounds. A great deal of information was given by Waseca County Sheriff's Department, Waseca County CERT, Waseca County Fair, Rebecca Thompson, D.D.S., Waseca Corn and Soybean Growers, Central Farm Service, Crystal Valley Coop, Guardian Energy, Mayo Health Systems, Waseca Farm Bureau, and Waseca SWCD.
Rain Garden Projects
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Rain Garden Projects have been completed with many different Area Cooperators including:
Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance, New Richland Sportsmen's Club, St Olaf Lake Association, City of New Richland, City of Waldorf, Waseca Soil and Water Conservation District and Waseca County. |
St Olaf Lake Rain Garden
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Waldorf Rain Garden
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New Richland Rain Garden
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Outreach Projects at area events
September 13, 2018
Southern Research and Outreach Center Open House
The Waseca SWCD displayed information on programs and history of the District, at the SROC Open house. Tyler Polster answered questions and gave information on the programs for landowners. He also answered questions on Buffers and their benefits.
September 8-9, 2018
Farm America Fall Festival
The Waseca SWCD participated in the Farm America Fall Festival with information on the many programs and activities the Waseca SWCD has to offer. Also included in the presentation was a history summary of the programs that have been done in the past over the 70 year existence of the Waseca SWCD. Mark Schaetzke, District Manager and Cheri Brummund, Administrative Assistant answered landowner questions over the two day event.
July 11-15, 2018
Waseca County Fair
Waseca County Fair Booth, Waseca SWCD Staff: Mark Schaetzke, Tyler Polster and Cheri Brummund, SWCD Board Members: Keith Morgan and Jessie Shaffer, NRCS Acting DC: Justin Ross and Dan Guse, Contracted NRCS General Clerk II took turns at the fair booth. There were a number of questions on the programs and what the SWCD does for landowners in Waseca County. Pictured below is the Rain Simulator. Mark Schaetzke, Distirct Manager, gave daily demonstrations at the fair explaining how the rain filters through different types of soils.
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2018
On February 16, 2018, the Waseca SWCD held a Tree Day Open House at the office at 105 22nd Ave NE, Waseca. Tyler Polster, Waseca SWCD District Technician, was on hand to answer landowner questions and supply information on trees and wildflowers the Waseca SWCD has available. Although spring is the best time to plant trees, planning windbreaks and erosion control projects go on throughout the year. Stop in at the office to get information or discuss plans on windbreaks that will be benficial to your land.
On February 16, 2018, the Waseca SWCD held a Tree Day Open House at the office at 105 22nd Ave NE, Waseca. Tyler Polster, Waseca SWCD District Technician, was on hand to answer landowner questions and supply information on trees and wildflowers the Waseca SWCD has available. Although spring is the best time to plant trees, planning windbreaks and erosion control projects go on throughout the year. Stop in at the office to get information or discuss plans on windbreaks that will be benficial to your land.
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SUPERVISORS
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Above, our Board Supervisor, Jessie Shaffer (center), is with others volunteering to remove invasive spieces, specifically Buckthorn from the area. This was taken at Quarry Hill Park on National Public Lands Day.
Jessie is also involved with LeSueur River Watershed Network Steering Committee.
Farmers, a SWCD Supervisor, and a biologist from Missouri discuss cover crops and soil health approaches at the Multi State Leadership Network Workshop. (L to R: Jessie Schaffer, Chris Williamson, Dave Gerber, Tim Smith, John Scherder and John Eron.) Photo by Anne Queenan