West Otter Tail SWCD - Blog

June 06, 2024 by Aaron Larsen

Five soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) from across west central Minnesota have partnered to create and implement a comprehensive Soil Health Program in west central Minnesota.  This partnership includes Clay, Grant, Traverse, Wilkin, and West Otter Tail SWCDs and is focused within those respective county boundaries. This new program aims to improve soil health, reduce soil erosion, improve water infiltration, and increase soil organic matter.

August 23, 2023 by Kristie Williams

The West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District is proud to congratulate Jonah Olson, Resource Conservation Technician, for successfully completing a one-year leadership development program sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD).

June 26, 2023 by Aaron Larsen

Homeowners who rely on private wells for their drinking water supply should test for nitrates on a regular basis.  Private well owners are encouraged to participate at one of three free nitrate testing clinics in July.

Clinic dates are:

July 20, 2023 at the West Otter Tail County Fair (County Fair Booth) from noon to 3:00 p.m.
July 21, 2023 at the East Otter Tail County Fair (County Fair Booth) from noon to 3:00 p.m.
July 31, 2023 at the Ottertail City Community Center from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

December 26, 2022 by Aaron Larsen

A familiar face will lead West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District after its current manager Brad Mergens retires after 38 plus years of service.

December 19, 2022 by Aaron Larsen

Each year, the West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) recognizes individuals or organizations for outstanding accomplishments in implementing conservation practices that improve and protect Otter Tail County’s natural resources. This year’s Outstanding Conservationist are Troy and Jodi Becker and their son Kolby of Vining, MN.

June 26, 2022 by Aaron Larsen

Mark Schoening and his son-in-law, Adam Fronning, both farm in Otter Tail County, near the towns of Underwood and Battle Lake.  They work together as they each manage their farming operations and grow corn, soybeans, and wheat.  They also work together in their efforts to protect our water and soil resources.

December 17, 2021 by Aaron Larsen

Recognized for its innovative conservation activities and demonstrated leadership that has achieved significant results in the protection of Minnesota’s land and water resources, West Otter Tail Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) received the 2021 DNR Division of Ecological and Water Resources Appreciation Award.

December 14, 2021 by Aaron Larsen

Each year, the West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) recognizes individuals or organizations for outstanding accomplishments in implementing conservation practices that improve and protect Otter Tail County’s natural resources.

December 06, 2021 by Aaron Larsen

Congratulations to John Walkup and to his son, Chad Walkup!  Both of their farming operations are now Water Quality Certified in the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). 

March 08, 2021 by Aaron Larsen

Tyler Synstelien’s farm just north of Ashby is now Water Quality Certified in the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). 

Tyler raises alfalfa and cattle on the Synstelien farm.  He will use conservation tillage when he needs to re-establish the alfalfa.  The small lakes are protected by the adjacent perennial vegetation which acts as filter strips, slowing down runoff water.  Careful nutrient management and pest management are also part of Tyler’s farming practices.  These conservation practices protect water and soil resources.

Congratulations to Tyler Synstelien for his efforts to protect natural resources and for receiving his Water Quality Certified Farm sign on December 14^th, 2020! 

March 08, 2021 by Aaron Larsen

Neal Johnson’s farm just north of Fergus Falls is now Water Quality Certified in the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).

July 29, 2020 by Aaron Larsen

Jeremy Fronning, rural Dalton, joins the ranks of Otter Tail county farm producers who have been recognized as being certified through the MN Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).  To become certified, property owners must meet program qualifications through a comprehensive assessment process.  The assessment evaluates soil types, topography, nutrient and pest management practices, tillage, irrigation, drainage management and presence of and/or need for conservation practices.  The MAWQCP seeks to recognize producers who are operating with a keen awareness of protecting and enhancing water quality.

May 06, 2020 by Aaron Larsen

As World War II ended in 1945, John Boen began his farming career in northwestern Otter Tail County.  Today he and his grandson, Andy Boen, make a good team as they continue to farm the family land about 7 miles west of Pelican Rapids.  And while John did adopt the many changes in farming practices in his 70-year career as a farmer, his strong commitment to conservation farming has not changed.

February 02, 2020 by Aaron Larsen

Rod and Sandy Wenstrom of rural Fergus Falls have been selected as the 2020 Red River Valley Outstanding Farm Leaders. 

January 16, 2020 by Aaron Larsen

Mike Koep and his son, Kevin, practice conservation on their farmland, and they know the importance of protecting our water and soil.  Because of their conservation decisions, the Koep farms near Urbank are now Water Quality Certified in the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).  The Koep farming operation joins over 800 Water Quality Certified farming operations in Minnesota’s unique, 5-year old program that recognizes farmers’ efforts to protect the state’s water quality.

January 05, 2020 by Aaron Larsen

Each year, the West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) recognizes individuals or organizations for outstanding accomplishments in implementing conservation practices that improve and protect Otter Tail County’s natural resources. The 2019’s Outstanding Conservationist is Adam and Ashley Fronning of Underwood.

June 24, 2019 by Aaron Larsen

Ryan Pesch, Pelican Rapids, was recently recognized by the West Otter Tail Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the MN Department of Agriculture for meeting the standards of Minnesota’s Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).  The certification represents an acknowledgement of the outstanding attention to water quality related management that Ryan is doing in his vegetable production operation.

November 01, 2018 by Aaron Larsen

Developers envisioned houses on Paul Brutlag’s lake-view property in Otter Tail County. But Brutlag chose instead to place 129 acres of his Eagle Lake Township farm into a perpetual easement through a state and federal partnership. Seven years later and six years after seeding, yellow, lavender and pink wildflowers bloom among native grasses in the restored wetland and prairie.

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. 

October 01, 2018 by Aaron Larsen

Water and sediment control basins installed as an alternative practice to MN Buffer Law.

September 17, 2018 by Aaron Larsen

Gary Meemken’s efforts of conservation farming have now earned their farming operation the status of a Minnesota Water Quality Certified Farm and the West Otter Tail SWCD 2018 Outstanding Conservationist Award. 

September 06, 2018 by Aaron Larsen

SWCD partners with Minnesota Land Trust to promote wetland protection in Otter Tail County.

August 29, 2018 by Aaron Larsen

Are you tired of hauling dirt back up the hill every year? Are you tired of losing crop because of a storm event? The SWCD has program to reduce infield erosion. Let us help make your ground more productive.

August 29, 2018 by Aaron Larsen

Fergus Falls, Minn. – The West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (or BWSR or NRCS) is proud to congratulate Aaron Larsen, Project Manager for successfully completing a one-year leadership development program sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD). 

July 24, 2018 by Aaron Larsen

Starting with a 2.8-acre filter strip in 2009, Loreli Westby continued down the conservation path of her late father. The Westbys’ most recent work through West Otter Tail SWCD will restore a wetland, provide more wildlife benefits.

July 20, 2017 by Admin

LOCAL FARMERS HONORED FOR CONSERVATION EFFORTS

July 20, 2016 by Admin

The end of harvest means the beginning of work to implement Minnesota's new buffer law, and Minnesota farmers remain divided over the initiative.

December 20, 2015 by Admin

The West and East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation Districts were honored as top conservation districts statewide earlier last weekend by two Minnesota organizations.

November 20, 2015 by Admin

The hard work and dedication of the West Otter Tail Soil & Water Conservation District, along with it's conservation partners, was honored and recognized at the 2015 MASWCD State Convention in Bloomington, Minn. The Otter Tail County Commissioners were recoginzied as East and West Otter Tail SWCD's 2015 Outstanding Conservationists.

September 20, 2015 by Admin

Buffer Legislation Update

July 20, 2015 by Admin

Dan Gunderson, reporter for Minnesota Public Radio News (MPR News), recently covered the Otter Tail County Buffer Initiative. He interviewed staff from the West Otter Tail Soil & Water Conservation Distircit (SWCD)

July 20, 2014 by Admin

West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is honored to announce that the Otter Tail County Buffer Initiative has been awarded over $290,000 in funding from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) through the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

May 07, 2014 by Admin

The West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District selected Larry and Julie Buchholz as outstanding conservationists for 2014.