Fillmore SWCD
Promoting Natural Resource Stewardship
With close to 200 orders received, over 13,000 trees were sold and picked up for planting, making the Fillmore SWCD tree program very successful once again this year.
Thank you to all those who purchased trees or other supplies.
If you are interested in receiving an order form for trees next year please give the office a call at (507) 765-3878 ext. 101 or email denice.corbin@fillmoreswcd.org.
Private well owners in Olmsted, Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona, Fillmore, and Houston Counties are eligible for financial assistance to address drinking water quality concerns in their private wells.
The safe drinking water for private well users assistance program provides funding to eligible landowners or renters to replace, reconstruct, or treat drinking water supplies that are contaminated with nitrate-nitrogen. Olmsted, Goodhue, Wabasha, Fillmore, and Root River (Houston) Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Winona County were provided funding through the Minnesota Department of Health’s Clean Water Funds to facilitate the program. The private water supply must be used as a source of drinking water for the residence to qualify for financial assistance.
For questions or more information, please contact:
Nikki Wheeler
Water Management Coordinator
(507) 765-3878 ext. 129
nikki.wheeler@fillmoreswcd.org
For additional information, or for cost-share application paperwork, please visit:
www.olmstedcounty.gov
Rain Barrels
A rain barrel is a rainwater collection system that stores rooftop runoff to be used for watering lawns and gardens. When rainwater falls off your rooftop, it runs into gutters and downspouts and then either soaks into the soils of the surrounding landscape or flows into the street. The water that ends up in the street is called storm water. Excess storm water carries a wide variety of pollutants such as gasoline, motor oil, heavy metals, trash, and urban fertilizers and pesticides from lawns. Many homeowners have to drag a long garden hose, or carry multiple watering cans to their gardens. Have you ever considered collecting rain water from the garden shed that is next to the garden? In just a 1” rainfall, the water from a common garden shed (8’ x 10’) will fill a 55-gallon rain barrel. This water would be right next to the garden, and be incredibly convenient. The Fillmore SWCD sells Rain Barrel kits for $40.00. Contact Aaren Mathison at (507) 765-3878 ext. 109 if you’d like to purchase one or find out more about them.
Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a depressed area in the landscape that collects rain water from a roof, driveway or street and allows it to soak into the ground. Planted with grasses and flowering perennials, rain gardens can be a cost effective and beautiful way to reduce runoff from your property. Rain gardens can also help filter out pollutants in runoff and provide food and shelter for butterflies, song birds and other wildlife.
Lawns to Legumes – Bee The Change!!
Minnesota is home to more than 450 native bee species. Pollinators also include butterflies, moths, beetles and native flies. All play a key role in pollinating many food crops and native plants, but populations have significantly declined worldwide in recent years. Population decline can be attributed to habitat loss and lack of related nutrition for pollinators, as well as pesticide use and pathogens. Lawns to Legumes seeks to combat population decline by creating new pollinator habitat and habitat corridors that provide food sources and nesting space for pollinators. The program emphasizes protection of at-risk species, such as Minnesota’s state bee, the federally-endangered Rusty patched bumble bee.
Each year the Fillmore SWCD offers a $500.00 scholarship to a Fillmore County college Freshman, Sophomore or Junior who will be returning to college in the fall.
To be eligible the student must be pursuing a degree in Natural Resources, agriculture or related field, enrolled in classes for fall, and not be a prior recipient of a SWCD scholarship.
Students who are interested in applying must submit a completed application along with the required essay on “What Natural Resource Conservation Means to Me.” The completed application and essay must be received by the Fillmore SWCD office by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 8, 2022. No late applications will be considered. The successful applicant will be chosen by the Fillmore SWCD Board of Supervisors at their August meeting.
Applications are available at www.fillmoreswcd.org ,or may be picked up at the SWCD office in Preston located within the USDA Service Center at 900 Washington Street NW. For more information, contact Mindy Williamson at (507) 765-3878 ext. 101.
Part of the ongoing work of conservation is ensuring there is a continuous stream of high quality individuals working in the field and/or acting as knowledgeable spokespersons for conservation concerns. We encourage high school seniors to consider the importance of conservation as they plan their future studies.
Each year we offer a $500.00 scholarship to a graduating Fillmore County high school senior who is planning to study natural resources, agriculture or a related field.
This years recipient is Morgan Pickett, daughter of Colin & Jen Pickett of Preston. Morgan plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to major in Nutrition and minor in Ag Education. She edged out some strong competition with her combination of academic and athletic accomplishments, leadership, and extra-curricular activities. We wish her well and are glad we could help her pursue her future goals. Congratulations, Morgan!
For future applicants, visit out our Scholarships page for more information.