Category Archives: Events

Nitrogen Fertilizer Restrictions Begin September 1, 2020

Please call the office if you have any questions or want to apply!

Applications are being accepted through June 30th for the new Soil Health and Habitat Program created by Pheasants Forever in partnership with Purina. If accepted, the program offers farmers an opportunity to establish perennial wildlife habitat cover or a cover crop with a one-time payment of $250/acre plus assistance with seed and establishment costs as part of a 5-year contract. If you or a farmer you know have at least one year of precision yield data, you may be eligible to apply. Data will be analyzed for profitability and offers farmers a new way to view where grassland or a cover crop would be beneficial.

The following is information from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture…  

This is a reminder that the fall nitrogen fertilizer restrictions begin September 1, 2020 as part of the Groundwater Protection Rule.  The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has included resources to help explain where the restrictions apply and the exceptions to the rule.

Where does the restriction apply?
The application of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall and on frozen soil will be restricted in areas vulnerable to groundwater contamination. This will also apply to Drinking Water Supply Management Areas (DWSMAs) with elevated nitrate levels. Vulnerable groundwater areas include coarse textured soils, karst geology, and shallow bedrock. Approximately 12 to 13 percent of Minnesota’s cropland is vulnerable to groundwater contamination.

View a map showing the vulnerable groundwater areas as well as a list of exceptions to the restrictions.

Prerecorded Presentation or Live Webinar
MDA has prepared a presentation to explain the purpose of the Groundwater Protection Rule, where the nitrogen fertilizer restrictions apply, and the exceptions to the rule.

View the prerecorded presentation or join us for a live webinar through WebEx on August 12, 2020 from 10:00 to 11:00. The video and webinar details are available online.

Board Meetings

All board meetings held in the conference room of the USDA service center unless otherwise noted.

Meeting details

Date: January 13, 2020 Time: 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.

Date: February 10, 2020 Time: 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.

Date: March 12, 2020 Time: 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. (Note this meeting will be held on the 2nd Thursday)

Date: April 13, 2020 Time: 7:30 A.M. – 9:30 A.M. This will be on ZOOM. Please email jerome.haggenmiller@mn.nacdnet.net to obtain the Member ID and Password in order to join the meeting.

Date: May 11, 2020 Time: 7:30 A.M. – 9:30 A.M. This will be on ZOOM. Please email jerome.haggenmiller@mn.nacdnet.net to obtain the Member ID and Password in order to join the meeting.

Date: June 08, 2020 Time: 7:30 A.M. – 9:30 A.M.

Date: July 13, 2020 Time: 7:30 A.M. – 9:30 A.M.

Date: August 10, 2020 Time: 7:30 A.M. – 9:30 A.M.

Date: September 14, 2020 Time: 7:30 A.M. – 9:30 A.M.

Date: October 13, 2020 Time: 7:30 A.M. – 9:30 A.M. (This meeting is held on a Tuesday with Monday being a Federal Holiday)

Date: November 09, 2020 Time: 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.

Date: December 14, 2020 Time: 3:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

Location: USDA Service Center – Conference Room

MPCA’S Citizen Water Monitoring Program

Join more than 1,400 Minnesotans who track the health of their favorite lake or stream — become a citizen water monitor today! Citizens in every county can join the water quality movement by signing up to be a water monitor through the MPCA’s Citizen Monitoring Programs. With 69,000 miles of streams and over 14,000 lakes in Minnesota, more volunteer monitors are needed to help track the health of our waters. No prior experience or training is required – just a love of water.   All equipment and training is provided by the MPCA free of charge.

 

Find out if your favorite lake or stream needs monitoring by using the MPCA’s interactive map.  To become a volunteer or learn more about the program, visit the Citizen water monitoring enrollment webpage, or call 651-296-6300 (Twin Cities) or 800-657-3864 (Greater Minnesota).