Soil & Water Conservation District Guidebook 2008 - Minnesota ...

A project planting a warm-season
grass cover between tree rows is underway in
Marshall County. The purpose of the project is to
see how permanent grass cover between tree rows
affects erosion control, weed suppression, snow
catch, wildlife use and other environmental benefi ts.
The grass was broadcast, harrowed and then packed
with a roller. A tour was held in the summer of 2007
to see the progress on this project. The SWCD has
worked closely with the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS); the Plant Materials
Center in Bismarck, N.D.; and the Area I Plant
Materials Committee.
A fi lter strip buffer area is being established
along the Middle River. The SWCD and Middle-
Snake-Tamarac River Watershed District are working
with 12-15 landowners to plant native grasses and
shrubs to control sloughing and fi lter runoff. Other
partners in this project include the local electrical
company (PKM and Minnkota Power), the Pembina
Trail Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D),
and Marshall County’s Comprehensive Local Water
Plan Coordinator.
A planting of 17,000 trees for fi ber production
was completed by the SWCD on a Red River
Valley Set Aside contract in the spring of 2007.
Marshall Soil & Water Conservation District
Two WHIP contracts in the county
have been completed, and the SWCD will be
working with another landowner on a project in
the spring of 2008. The completed projects involved
planting 9,600 trees. The project for the spring of
2008 involves planting 7.9 acres to native grass and
approximately 2,000 trees will be planted. The SWCD is
working with the NRCS on this project.
Conservation education throughout
the county is a high priority of the SWCD. The
SWCD works very closely with all of the schools
in Marshall County. The SWCD has presented
information on the poster and mural contest
sponsored by Minnesota Association of Soil and
Water Conservation Districts and has given black
hills spruce seedlings to the kindergarten classes.
Annual conservation education programs that are
coordinated with other SWCDs in the area include
the Northwest Minnesota Water Festival and the
local Envirothon competition. The SWCD donates
trees each year for the local Boy Scout auction fund
raiser. The SWCD also donated trees to the new 4-H
members in cooperation with the County Extension
Service. Soil stewardship materials are presented to
the churches throughout the county. The SWCD also
holds a banquet each year to honor our conservation
cooperator, farmstead beautifi cation award winner,
and winners of our local poster and essay contest.
In 2007 the Marshall SWCD celebrated its 50th
anniversary.
Future Projects
Warm season grass cover project: The SWCD will
continue to monitor the seeding of the warm season
grass cover project between tree rows as a possible
future cost share item available to landowners.
Tree planting changes: The SWCD will be planting
Black Cherry trees as a test plot starting in 2008 as
an alternative to Green Ash trees to reduce the risk of
potential ash borer damage.
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