Waseca SWCD Newsletter www.wasecaswcd.org In 2018, Waseca Soil and Water Conservation District celebrated 70 years serving Waseca County Landowners. A great many practices are still continuing and benefiting all of us today. These practices include terraces, basins, waterways, surface field intakes, and buffers, cover crops. 2018 brought about a change to the Waseca SWCD Office Staff. Mark Schaetzke, a Janesville Area native, became the District Manager in April. Eric Gulbransen, who was fulfilling the duties of the District Manager through a contract with Steele SWCD, continues to be the District Manager for Steele County SWCD. Three Supervisors were re-elected to serve on the board. They were: Todd Stencel-District 2, Jessie Shaffer-District 3 and Scott Hildebrandt-District 4. Currently also serving are: Wayne Cords-District 1 and Keith Morgan-District 5. Tyler Polster, District Technician, heads our Tree Program. The year filled with many activities and programs, begins with our annual tree sales and distribution in the Spring. 3,693 trees and shrubs and 13 wildflower packs were distributed to landowners in 2018. Tyler Polster, District Technician and Haley Byron, Waseca County Water Planner, continued with Water Monitoring and data collection on Iosco Creek and Bull Run. The summer brought about activities at various county events. Mark demonstrated the Rainfall Simulator at New Richland Farm City Days and also the Waseca County Fair.
Cheri Brummund, Administrative Assistant, set up booths at Waseca County Fair, Farm America Fall Festival, and also U of M Southern Research and Outreach Center. Supervisors and Staff all pitched in to answer questions about conservation practices. A highlight was the 70th anniversary of Waseca SWCD. Staff assisted landowners in achieving compliance with the MN buffer law through mailings, site visits, waivers, alternative practice determinations, and applying for cost share. Nov 1, 2018 was the deadline for all buffers to be in place. A wet fall hampered crop harvest and buffer planting. Three Conservation Reserve Enhancement (CREP) easements were selected for funding providing permanent protection on 100 acres of priority lands. Waseca SWCD is also responsible for monitoring 115 existing ReInvest in Minnesota (RIM) easements.
Best Management Practices funded in 2018 Number of Projects and/or Contracts Federal/State Funds to Waseca Landowners Project SWCD Terrace and Basins 3 To be paid in 2019 Cover Crops Cost Share 6 $ 18,322.38 Landowner Contacts 291 EQIP 3 $ 18,880.00 CRP 189 $ 653,797.00 WRE (WRP) 2 $ 2,789.00 CSP 7 $ 554,202.00 Total State & Federal Dollars $ 1,247,990.38 2018 Conservation Farmer of the Year Tom Klug Tom Klug was chosen as the 2018 Waseca SWCD Conservation Farmer of the Year. Tom operates a corn, soybean and small grain operation with 250 head of beef cattle just south of Waseca. Tom has farmed for 43 years and his family has been in the Waseca area for over 100 years. Tom is part of the Soil Health Champion Network through NACD. Tom has installed grassed waterways, terraces and planted cover crops for over 12 years. He believes in trying new things to see if they will improve operations. His future conservation projects involve looking in to strip till and installing more grassed waterways.
Programs Available Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost share through SWCD State Cost Share Program, Natural Resource Conservation Service () Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), or Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Cost share or payment rates for BMPs such as grassed waterways, water and sediment control basins, terraces, side inlet pipes, cover crops, and a variety of other practices. Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) This is a free program to apply for. Certified operations receive 10 years of exemption from any new state water quality laws, additional opportunities in EQIP, environmental evaluation, and recognition. There is a $300 incentive for Waseca County producers to complete certification process. Walk In Access Program (WIA) 2019 renewal period for WIA officially opens March 4, 2019 and closed March 29, 2019. In early April, an announcement will be made to start NEW WIA Agreements for 30 days or until 30,000 acres or expendable available funds has been reached. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 10 or 15 year contracts to establish native plants on cropland. Rental rates are based on mapped soils and currently are at $216/acre maximum for Waseca County. Sign-up dates have not been announced but you can still contact the office to start planning. Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) CREP combines a CRP contract with a ReInvest in Minnesota (RIM) permanent easement to restore and protect wetlands, floodplains, and filter strips. Minimum total payments for cropland range from $7200 to $8600 per acre for Waseca County.
Opportunities for lands within Le Sueur Watershed Cover Crops Cost share for lands in priority areas within the Le Sueur Watershed. Maximum of 80 acres with 50% cost share up to a payment of $25 an acre. Surface tile intakes Converting open surface tile intakes to alternative intakes such as rock inlets. Up to 50% cost share up to a payment of $250 per intake. See SWCD staff for any questions on these programs and to see if you are eligible. 2018 Waseca SWCD/ 2019 Waseca SWCD/ Staff Mark Schaetzke District Manager, Waseca SWCD Tyler Polster District Technician, Waseca SWCD Cheri Brummund Administrative Assistant, Waseca Contracted Staff Eric Gulbransen District Manager, Steele SWCD Adam Arndt District Technician, Steele SWCD Justin Ross-District Conservationist, Steele/Waseca Tom Steger-District Conservation, Steele/Waseca Staff Mark Schaetzke District Manager, Waseca SWCD Tyler Polster District Technician, Waseca SWCD Cheri Brummund Administrative Assistant, Waseca Reginald Liddell-District Conservationist Blue Earth/Waseca 2018 Board of Supervisors Wayne Cords Chairman Scott Hildebrandt Vice Chair Todd Stencel Treasurer Jessie Shaffer Secretary Keith Morgan Member 2019 Board of Supervisors Wayne Cords Chairman Scott Hildebrandt Vice Chair Todd Stencel Treasurer Jessie Shaffer Secretary Keith Morgan Member Office Hours: 8:00 am 4:30 pm Monday-Friday Monthly Board of Supervisors Meetings 2nd Thursday every month, 6:30 pm, Conference Room, 105 22nd Ave NE, Waseca, MN. (Subject to Change see website for dates) Public Welcome. Website: www.wasecaswcd.org