Wadena Soil & Water Conservation District

10/06/2026

Applications for Spring 2027 grants are open through November 30.

Wanting to start your first pollinator garden but need help?

Minnesota’s Lawns to Legumes program helps you create pollinator habitat in your outdoor space — with up to $400 in reimbursement for eligible projects. Applications for Spring 2027 grants are open through November 30.

Every awardee gets guidance and support from start to finish, including:

💻 Online webinars on planning, planting, and maintaining your project

🐝 Access to the Hive, an online community where you can connect with other gardeners and volunteer coaches

🤝 The option to work one-on-one with a volunteer coach for project-specific advice

🌱 Step-by-step resources from Blue Thumb, including garden designs, the Plant Finder tool, and more

Learn more and apply for a grant today at https://bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legumes/apply/

Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources

10/01/2026

Congratulations to Kevin, Ruth, and Matthew Pederson on their recent achievement in becoming water quality certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program!

“This certification was an internal milestone that we wanted to achieve,” Kevin explained. “And being apart of the process has helped our farm to become more efficient and productive.”

To learn more about the Pederson's farming operation, check out our latest blog post: https://wadenaswcd.org/blog/traverse-county-farm-family-receive-water-quality-certification/

Pictured from left to right: Bean (the dog), Kevin and Ruth Pederson with Traverse SWCD, staff Sara Gronfeld

09/29/2026

Rain or shine! It was a soggy start for Conservation Days but everyone is having fun learning outside.

09/25/2026

Did you know we developed a lake stewardship guidebook? This booklet contains local resources and information concerning all-things related to being a lakeshore owner including aquatic vegetation, stormwater management practices, fertilizer use, and local agency jurisdictions! Stop in our office to get a physical copy or page-through a digital version on our website: https://wadenaswcd.org/shoreline/

09/23/2026

As boating season winds down, remember to Clean, Drain, and Dry to prepare for 2027!

09/23/2026

It's Farm Safety & Health Week!

Farms and ranches are wonderful places for children to live, work, and play, but they can also present hazards.

Find resources for health and safety on the farm: bit.ly/NFSHW-26

09/22/2026

It's National Farm Safety and Health Week. Harvest season is a busy time, stay alert, slow down, and put safety first.

This year's theme is Safety Today Success Tomorrow. For more information on how to prevent farm illness and injuries and keep yourself safe and healthy, visit: bit.ly/NFSHW-26

During Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 20 - 26, we’re encouraging farmers, farm families, and everyone who works in agriculture to make safety and well-being a priority. Take breaks when you need them, stay alert around equipment, and check in on the people you work with.

And remember, taking care of your mental health is part of staying healthy, too. If you or a farmer you know is struggling, free and confidential support is available through the Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline at 833-600-2670 or visit www.mnfarmstress.com

Here’s to a safe and healthy harvest. 🚜

09/21/2026

Congratulations to the Jirava family on their recent achievement in becoming water quality certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program!

“We’re always looking toward the future of agriculture in our area, and this program seemed like a good fit for us,” Kim Jirava explained. “The certification has strengthened our farm’s compliance position, opened access to different resources, and shows that we value our local water resources.”

To learn more about the Jirava's farming operation, check out our latest blog post: https://wadenaswcd.org/blog/ogema-operation-achieves-water-quality-certification/

Pictured below: Jirava family, Ed Musielewicz, NRCS District Conservationist, and Bryan Malone, Becker SWCD Administrator.

09/20/2026

It was a busy summer, read our newsletter to find out more about what we have been doing at the SWCD!

𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://wadenaswcd.org/quarterly-newsletter/

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: https://wadenaswcd.org/contact/

09/17/2026

Conservation in action! We had the opportunity to revisit this rural Menahga pollinator planting last month to see its progress and were not disappointed! Black-Eyed Susan seedheads were mixed within Partridge Pea foliage and other grasses while Evening Primrose, Coreopsis, Wild Bergamot, and Big Bluestem were still blooming.

Pollinator plantings such as these typically take three to five years to establish with proper maintenance. As this planting is in its second year, we are beginning to see a decrease in w**d pressure and an increase in plant diversity.

Interested in planting your own pollinator habitat? Contact us for more information on different options on how to get started!