Dodge Soil and Water Conservation District

09/14/2026

🌱Motivation Monday🌱
Start Your Week with Soil Health! Did you know that healthy soil is the foundation of clean water, strong crops, and a thriving local ecosystem? This week, let’s give a little love to the ground beneath our feet! 🌍

Instead of raking, leave a thin layer of fallen leaves on the grass and run your mower over them. The shredded organic matter acts as a natural mulch that filters down into the soil profile to add nutrients without smothering the grass. 🍂

09/08/2026

🌱💧 Big conservation work happening in the Cedar River headwaters!

A major restoration project is now making a lasting impact on water quality, erosion, and the health of the Cedar River watershed. 🌊

By addressing resource concerns right in the headwaters, this project will provide benefits that extend far downstream—protecting soil, improving water quality, and strengthening the watershed for years to come.

👏 A huge thank-you to the landowners and conservation partners who made this project possible! This is conservation in action.

📰 Check out the full story from the Austin Daily Herald:

Dodge, Mower SWCDs partner on 225 acres of permanent prairie.

09/07/2026

Our office will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 7, 2026. We will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

08/25/2026

Our October 2026 board meeting has been moved from October 20, 2026 to October 13, 2026 at 1 PM in the USDA Service Center- 916 2nd St SE Dodge Center, MN 55927.

08/21/2026

The Dodge Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is proud to congratulate Jessica Klingfus, the District Manager, for successfully completing the inaugural District Manager Professional Development Cohort (DMPD) sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD).

Pictured L to R: LeAnn Buck, MASWCD Executive Director; Jessica Klingfus, Dodge SWCD District Manager; Chuck Rau, MASWCD President and Benton SWCD Supervisor.

Read the full article by following the link below.

The Dodge Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is proud to congratulate Jessica Klingfus, the District Manager, for successfully completing the inaugural District Manager Professional Development Cohort (DMPD) sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MA...

08/20/2026

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) for Agriculture is a FREE two-hour evidence-based workshop that teaches three steps to recognize warning signs, engage in supportive conversations, and connect someone at risk to appropriate care and life-saving resources.

This workshop can serve as an introduction to su***de prevention or as a “refresher” for people who have taken a su***de prevention training in the past.

This September and October, the MDA and partners are offering free QPR for Agriculture and COMET workshops in communities across Minnesota. Participants will learn how to recognize when someone may be struggling and how to connect them with support.

Farmers, family members, friends, neighbors, agricultural professionals, and others who live and work in agricultural communities are encouraged to attend.

📲 Find a workshop near you and register: www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-partners-offer-free-mental-health-trainings

08/20/2026

We are gearing up for our 2nd Annual Conservation Calendar! This calendar is sent to around 1500 Dodge County residents! We are looking local businesses that are looking for a marketing opportunity. If interested, please contact our office.

08/17/2026

The SWCD, NRCS, FSA, and Pheasants Forever in Dodge County teamed up and created the first edition of the Conservation Connections Newsletter! This newsletter was sent out to over 650 people in our area and we would love to expand the number of recipients it goes to. IF you are interested in getting on our mailing list you can click the link!
https://www.dodgeswcd.org/qr-code-landing-page

08/13/2026

Our District Manager, Jessica, has been up to something for the past year! 😁 She has been attending the MASWCD District Manager Professional Development cohort. Today , she had her last session and has officially completed the program. We are so proud of you! Thank you for taking the initiative and putting the hard work in to learn and grow as a manager for the Dodge SWCD staff. Congratulations! 🥳

08/12/2026

Are you interested in trying cover crops or reduced tillage practices? Cover crops and reduced tillage can reduce erosion and increase soil health! We have cost share options available and it is a great time to plan for after the harvest. Stop in and see us or call Zac at 507-418-6023 to learn more. 🌱