East Otter Tail SWCD - Blog

April 13, 2023 by Alyson Levig

East Otter Tail and Wadena SWCD staff assist farmers with becoming Water Quality Certified.

November 04, 2021 by Kristi Rorah

Rondi Ulmer, eighth grade science teacher at Prairie Wind Middle School, has been selected for the 2021 Teacher of The Year Award by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD). Each year the MASWCD selects an outstanding teacher who actively engages students in the betterment of natural resources in partnership with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

September 01, 2020 by Annette Drewes, Clean Water Specialist, MN DNR

Lakeshore owners in recent years are finding new ‘weeds’ growing near their docks. Wild rice, a native grass that grows in shallow lake and river areas has re-emerged in locations where some say it hasn’t been seen in years. For some people that is cause for celebration, for others, a headache.

July 15, 2020 by EOT SWCD

It is a well-established fact that weather is the most influential and impactful variable in water and nutrient management decision making. In an effort to bring more local weather information to our producers, the EOT SWCD installed its first weather station in Perham in the early 90's. This station brought hourly data to the fingertips of our producers and helped guide management decisions that were profitable for the producer and better for the environment. The only problem? This was one weather station in a county that encompasses over 2,000 square miles, and as we all well know, weather can be different right across the road!

July 06, 2020 by MAWQCP

Congratulations to Arlin Wanderi!  His farms are now Water Quality Certified in Minnesota’s Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).  

June 28, 2020 by Darren Newville

I get it, we want our lake homes or cabins larger enough to accommodate all our family and friends. We want to have patios and decks that allow us to enjoy an unobstructed view of the lake. We want perfect, golf course-like, manicured lawns with sandy beaches that allow the kids or grandkids access to the lake for swimming. We want the lake in front of our lots to be weed free so the kids can swim without anything touching their feet or legs. We want a perfectly clear lake free of any aquatic invasive species, and we need to have a garage or shed conveniently placed and large enough to store all the toys we use on the water. We want the lake to be abundant with desirable fish so that we can catch one on almost every cast. We want to live the perfect #LakeLife experience. Sounds great, but is it great for the lake?

June 23, 2020 by MAWQCP

Babe Winkelman’s name is often recognized for his hunting and fishing adventures.  Now the Winkelman Farm is being recognized for achieving Water Quality Certification in Minnesota’s Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).  And Babe Winkelman is the first to say that all of the conservation stewardship efforts on their farm have been a ‘family project’.

May 12, 2020 by SWCD

It's pretty easy to turn on the faucet and not have a second thought about where the water that's gushing out of it comes from. But where does it come from and how do we impact it?

April 14, 2020 by EOT SWCD

Many lakeshore owners picture their ideal yard being lush, green, mowed grass straight down to the edge of the rip rap right along the lake. Maximum lawn equals maximum enjoyment, right? Well, we at the SWCD are here to challenge your idea of a perfect lake lawn (a little challenge is good in life, right?)! There are a lot of benefits to having a nice, mowed lawn straight to the lake: lots of room for activities for one, and the best unobstructed view of the lake, and the approval of your neighbors whose lawn rivals that of the white house (how do they do that?). But we want to take a look at some of the negative consequences of having a mowed lawn that stretches to the lake, as well as some of the benefits of planting native grasses and flowers along the shoreline (what else did you expect from us, this is our job!).

April 06, 2020 by EOT SWCD

Do you live in Central Minnesota? Do you like having access to accurate up-to-date weather? If so, the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN) is for you. Yes, we know it says North Dakota, but it serves data for central and northwestern Minnesota. There are 12 stations located throughout the central region including: Becker, Hubbard, Otter Tail, Wadena, Pope, Todd, Morrison, Benton and Sherburne counties. Weather stations in our area include Perham, Parkers Prairie, Ottertail, Wadena, and Staples.

April 02, 2020 by EOT SWCD

One question I get asked by landowners every winter and spring is “I would like to make my property better for deer, which trees should I plant?” It seems like a simple question to answer, but there are several factors you need to consider when planting trees for deer, turkeys, or even grouse. While one tree might work for your neighbor or you read how well one tree was is in a magazine, that does not necessarily mean it will be productive on your property.

March 23, 2020 by Jim Lahn

Last year I gave a presentation on the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) at a meeting of the Central Minnesota Irrigator’s Corporation (CMIC).  This meeting was held in Wadena, and the farmers in attendance utilize irrigation in their farming operations and come from the surrounding area.

March 16, 2020 by EOT SWCD

What do you do all winter?

Not gonna lie, we get asked that a lot! In the summer, we spend as much time as we possibly can out in the field doing site visits, planting trees or native seed or installing shoreline buffers, and as soon as the ground freezes we all get mopey and stare out the window wishing for a longer fall. But winter isn’t that slow and boring for us at the Soil and Water! Winter gives us a chance to catch up on all the things that fall by the wayside when the weather starts to warm up in the spring!

March 05, 2020 by EOT SWCD

PERHAM —When Mark Riestenberg installed an irrigator in 1995, he relied on a handful of soil and a look at what the neighbors were doing to decide when to turn it on.

Twenty-five years later, neighbors still rely on neighbors to determine when to irrigate. But now they’re watching Riestenberg and about 45 other farmers who work with East Otter Tail Soil & Water Conservation District staff on a science-based approach to irrigation scheduling.

March 04, 2020 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?

February 23, 2020 by SWCD

Funding to help local producers plant cover crops is now available through the SWCD.

February 18, 2020 by MAWQCP

Wayne Enger, board member of the EOT SWCD, recently became a Water Quality Certified Farm through Minnesota's Ag Water Quality Certification Program. 

October 31, 2019 by MAWQCP

Congratulations to Bruce and Carol Albright – their farm is now Water Quality Certified in Minnesota’s Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP)!  The Albrights received their Water Quality Certified Farm sign on a snowy Friday in October.

September 20, 2019 by MAWQCP

Congratulations to Terry Greenwaldt and to his son, Jason Greenwaldt! Because of their decisions to practice conservation on their land, the Greenwaldt farms are now Water Quality Certified in Minnesota’s Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).

April 23, 2019 by MAWQCP

Bryce Blickenstaff’s farming operation is now Water Quality Certified! Bryce received his Water Quality Certified Farm sign on April 23, 2019. 

Bryce’s farming operation is located north of New York Mills and involves corn, wheat, alfalfa, dairy cows, and turkey barns.

April 08, 2019 by EOT SWCD

This past Friday, the 3^rd and 4^th grade hallways at Heart of the Lakes Elementary School were abuzz with children laughing and imitating farm animals, with the occasional baa of an actual new lamb coming from one of the classrooms. Over the course of the morning at our Agriculture in the Classroom event, the students rotated through stations learning about the different aspects of farming in Otter Tail County, thanks to the efforts of local producers and natural resources staff who shared what a day of work looks like for them.

March 22, 2019 by EOT SWCD

This past Saturday we were asked to present at the Horticulture Day in Perham put on by the East Otter Tail Master Gardeners. 

January 07, 2019 by SWCD Staff

We are excited to formally congratulate Andy Dombeck for being our East Otter Tail Conservationist of the Year and the Area Conservationist of the Year for 2018! On his farm, Andy continues to experiment with techniques that build the soil health of his fields, which also helps protect the environment. He is a great example of a producer that conserves our natural resources while operating a successful farm.

November 06, 2018 by MAWQCP

Two new Water Quality Certified farms in Otter Tail County come from a family effort.