Wabasha County Web Soil Survey Ceremony

A Web Soil Survey Ceremony took place at the Wabasha County Courthouse on May 6, 2008. The event provided the opportunity for the conservation partnership to showcase the results of the recently completed Wabasha County Soil Survey update. Peter Hartman, Project Soil Survey Leader spearheaded the effort in planning this ceremony.

Plant Materials Program Tribal Assistance

The USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Program helps provide plant solutions for conservation needs. Many of today’s environmental challenges can be addressed through the use of plants. Many native plant species have traditional uses that are culturally significant to American Indians. The Plant Materials Program can provide information, plants, and technology to assist Tribal conservation efforts.

2008 CSP Sign-up Begins April 18 in Thief Watershed

On March 19, 2008, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced a sign-up for the Conservation Security Program (CSP) that will be available from April 18 to May 17, 2008. Approximately 64,000 farms and ranches in 51 watersheds covering more than 23.7 million acres across the United States are potentially eligible for CSP. CSP is a voluntary conservation program that supports ongoing stewardship of private, agricultural working lands and rewards those producers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations.

In Minnesota, the Thief Watershed, which includes about 560 farms and approximately 300,000 acres, is the only watershed eligible for the 2008 CSP sign-up. The Thief Watershed is located in northwest Minnesota and includes portions of Marshall, Pennington and Beltrami Counties and limited acres in Roseau and Lake of the Woods Counties.