SERVICES

The Big Stone SWCD offers a variety of conservation services. Contact the SWCD office for further information regarding the following:

NEW TO BIG STONE COUNTY !!!! COOPERATIVE WEED MANAGEMENT AREA (CWMA) Big Stone County has developed a weed management group to help eradicate invasive weeds from landowners' property. For more information on identifying invasive weeds and steps to eliminate them, go to www.weedwatchers.org or contact tammy.neubauer@mn.nacdnet.net or darrin.welle@mn.nacdnet.net with weed pictures or information that we may be able to help you with!!

TREE PROGRAM
     The District offers tree planting design and planning. We also have tree stock available for purchase for individual plantings. The District Technician will work with landowners to access program funding for tree plantings. To view trees available or submit an order, please see order form.

FABRIC WEED BARRIER
     The SWCD sells and applies fabric weed barrier to be placed on newly planted trees. The SWCD has a fabric laying machine that can be incorporated into your new tree or shrub planting. The District Technician can design your planting with or without fabric.
Contact the SWCD office for further information and pricing.

GRASS DRILL
     Native grasses require a specially designed drill for successful establishment. The District assists landowners with grass seeding programs. The SWCD has a no-till grass drill and operator for your native grass seedings. Contact the SWCD office for further information and pricing.

STATE COST-SHARE PROGRAM
     Big Stone SWCD receives funding for cost-share tree planting through the Board of Water and Soil Resources in cooperation with the State of Minnesota. The SWCD is able to cost-share field windbreaks, farmstead windbreaks, and other eligible practices. Contact the SWCD office for further information.

CONSERVATION PLANNING AND CONTRUCTION
     The SWCD partners with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide technical assistance to all landowners in Big Stone County. Any landowner in Big Stone County interested in conservation ideas and/or practices, are encouraged to contact the SWCD office for further information.

OBSERVATION WELL PROGRAM
    The SWCD contracts with the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to measure the water level of designated wells throughout the County.

RAIN GAUGE MONITORING
     The SWCD maintains a network of volunteers who monitor and report precipitation in the Big Stone County. This information is recorded at the District office and sent to the Minnesota Office of Climatology. If you would be interested in becoming a rain gauge monitor for Big Stone County, please contact the SWCD office.

SOILS INFORMATION
     The SWCD has soils information available to landowners. Data may also be accessed at Soil Survey.

TRANSECT TILLAGE SURVEY
     A survey of tillage and the amount of residue remaining after planting is conducted every few years. The District completed a survey in 2007. The survey route transects the County in 1 mile increments, with data recorded at set points along a designated route.