Land
Do you know why land plays a crucial role in our ecosystem and way of life?
It preserves our natural resources, supports communities, and so much more. With that, we’re proud to provide you with the knowledge needed to support our local land and offer a wide range of services and products to encourage healthy and sustainable practices.
Soil Survey
If interested in some information on your soil, such as Crop Productivity Index (CPI), which gives you land value, soil properties (drainage, class, map, units, texture, etc.) Click here to start your journey with Web Soil Survey!.
No-Till Drill Rental
Designed to minimize soil erosion, promote water retention, and safeguard the integrity of your soil, our No-Till Drill Rental service provides you with the opportunity to enhance the quality of your land. Book your rental today to see all the benefits this No-Till Drill has to offer!
Douglas SWCD now has 2 drills to rent!
Trees
We provide affordable tree options for enhanced conservation practices, offering a variety of trees and shrubs available for purchase. Trees supply many benefits for conservation, including reduced soil erosion, wildlife habitat improvement, promotes high-quality water, and increased aesthetics.
Tree sales open in November with a scheduled pick-up day in April.
Seed Mixes/Food Plots
Native Grass | Forb Seed Mixes
Known to provide optimum habitat for wildlife and their deep root systems, native grass and forb plantings are a great way to enhance the natural state of your land.
- 327: Minimum of 5 species mix, at least 3 grasses/1 forb – minimum of 8lbs grass/4oz per acre
- 393: 4 or more species mix – lbs. per acre is based on full rates
- 643: minimum of 15 species mix, at least 5 native grasses / 5 native forbs – minimum of 7lbs grass/16oz of forbs per acre
- Pollinator: Minimum of 9 forbs, 3 from each bloom period – minimum of 3lbs grass/2lbs of forbs per acre
Food Plot Mixes
We also formulate blends of food and seeds created to attract and nourish wildlife. If you’re looking to enhance biodiversity, promote natural conservation efforts, or just support sustainable ecosystems, we can help!
- Pheasant/Turkey: Consists of wildlife sunflower, wildlife grain sorghum, FSG pearl millet, and sugar graze II sorghum sudangrass
- Deer Mix #1: Consists of forage peas, radish, turnips, and haybet barlet
- Deer Mix #2: Consists of alsike clover, ladino clover, medium red clover, white dutch clover, and chicory
Programs
Walk-In Access
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP)
Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM)
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Conservation Reserve Program
Grants
2018 Watershed Conservation Initative
Buffer Law
Clean Water Fund (CWF) Grants
Minnesota Board of Soil Water Resources (MN BSWR) eLINK Reports: 2020 Lake Ida HUC 12 AIG Projects Phase I | 2019 Upper Chippewa River Watershed Groundwater Protection | Lake Ida HUC 12 AIG Projects Phase II
Lake Ida Subwatershed / Ditch 23
Minnesota Legacy Projects Reports: AIG Projects | Targeted Phosphorus Reduction Project | AIG Projects Phase II | Wetland Project
SWCD Local Capacity/Aid Funding
Surface Water Assessment Grant (SWAG)
Minnesota Board of Soil Water Resources (MN BSWR) eLINK Reports: Long Prairie SWAG |
Minnesota Legacy Projects Reports: 2019-2020 Chippewa River SWAG | 2022 Long Prairie River SWAG
Swag Reporting: 2022 SWAG Interim
Other
Minnesota Legacy Projects Reports: Soil Investigation for liquid manure storage
Cost Sharing
Curious about Cost-Share?
A cost-share is a financial assistance program that strives to mitigate the effects of erosion and water quality issues across the county. Every year we apply for grants to provide our local land-owners struggling with erosion and water issues with the necessary resources and practices to enhance the quality of their land.
Does your Project Qualify?
Our funding covers critical areas like active erosion sites, stormwater management, and more to help property owners increase the quality of their land. Here are some of our key qualifications:
- Active erosion sites
- Storm water impacting surface waters
- Must be a property owner *no renting or leasing
- Your property is indicated within the priority are on the map. (No actual photos posted, because each watershed has their own priority area)
Apply Today!
Get in touch with our office—our staff will assess your property to determine your eligibility for cost-share funding. If you qualify, we’ll work with you to create a project that cleans up and corrects any active and future erosion issues! *Even if you don’t qualify, our team members can still provide recommendations to better support your land.
Seasonal Service
Feature
Enhance your land’s vitality this season with our specialized seed mixing service. By combining a variety of seeds tailored to your soil’s unique needs, we ensure robust growth and sustainable conservation. Contact us today to nurture a healthier, more resilient ecosystem.