October 04, 2018 by Aaron Larsen
Thanks to the local effort and partnership of the West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Pheasants Forever, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Minnesota's Otter Tail County has surpassed 17,000 acres enrolled in conservation programs, since starting the partnership in 2008. To reach this 17,000 acre milestone, this partnership involved more than 3,500 landowner contacts and utilized a variety of conservation programs ranging from the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), Minnesota Land Trust easements, and MNDOT’s Living Snowfence program.
Pheasants Forever's efforts are part of an overriding Minnesota Farm Bill Assistance Partnership that includes the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the Local SWCD’s.
“Every farm has conservation opportunities, and this partnership makes sure that West Otter Tail County landowners know their options and can make sound decisions for their business and the land,” stated Brad Mergens, WOT SWCD District Manager, “The success of this initiative is due to landowners taking time to understand and participate in conservation programs. The goal of the partnership positions is to reach more people and implement more conservation, to provide cleaner water, protect vulnerable soils and create more wildlife on our working farmlands.”
If you are interested in being part of the next 17,000 acres contact the West Otter Tail SWCD at 218-998-5300.
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