Freeborn County Soil & Water Conservation District - Freeborn SWCD

05/11/2026

📣 ATTENTION FARMERS IN THE SHELL ROCK & WINNEBAGO RIVER WATERSHEDS 📣

🌱 The Freeborn County SWCD is now accepting 2026 cover crop applications for producers within the Shell Rock and Winnebago River watersheds in Freeborn County who want to plant cover crops.

Applications are available at our office:
1400 West Main St., Albert Lea, MN or online at: www.freebornswcd.org

⏰ Applications are due June 3rd.

05/11/2026

🌳🌲We still have trees available!🌲🌳

You can order online at www.freebornswcd.org/shop-2026, call our office at 507-373-5607 ext. 3, or stop into our office at 1400 West Main St, Albert Lea, MN.

04/24/2026

🌱🌳HAPPY ARBOR DAY!!🌲🌱

Once again, the Freeborn County SWCD teamed up with the Albert Lea Noon Lions Club and the City of Albert Lea for a fantastic Arbor Day celebration! Together, we packaged and delivered 4 different kinds of tree seedlings to over 385 third-grade students across Freeborn County!

There were many sponsors that made today possible that we extend our biggest thanks to, including: City of Albert Lea, Albert Lea Noon Lions Club, Freeborn County Soil & Water Conservation District, Church Offset Printing, Cargill, Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative, Let's Plant Trees, the Arbor Day Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy. THANK YOU!

04/15/2026

The Freeborn SWCD still has some great trees available! Check out the photo below to see what we have left.

Orders can be placed online through our website: freebornswcd.org/shop-2026 and by stopping into our office in Albert Lea.

Don’t miss your chance to order trees this season! 🌳

04/15/2026

Look at that vibrant spring growth! 🌱 This field was planted with cover crops last fall with cost-share support from the Freeborn SWCD.

We’d love to see what’s happening on your land too! Share your cover crop photos in the comments 👇

Bonus: Can you spot the critter helping break down organic matter? 🪱

Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources

03/09/2026

Check out this summer internship opportunity with the Mower Soil & Water Conservation District!

02/25/2026

The USDA Farm Service Agency is now accepting offers for Continuous CRP through March 20!

If you have land that could benefit from the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and want to learn more about your options, the Freeborn SWCD staff are here to help you get started. Reach out before March 20th to see if CRP is a good fit for your property!🌾🦃🌷🦌

We're currently accepting offers for Continuous CRP through March 20, 2026. General CRP enrollment will run from March 9, 2026, through April 17, 2026. We'll announce dates for Grassland CRP signup in the near future.

Contact us at your nearest Service Center to discuss enrollment. More details: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/02-10-2026/usda-open-continuous-general-conservation-reserve-program-enrollment

02/24/2026

Looking for a career that makes a meaningful impact on conservation efforts in southern Minnesota? 🦆🌾🌳

Pheasants Forever is seeking a Farm Bill Biologist based in Austin or Albert Lea (working out of both offices with a provided vehicle).

This position works with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, local SWCDs, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to get conservation on the land.

If you’re passionate about conservation — apply or share today!

https://pheasantsforever.applytojob.com/apply/Zun3jGjBms/MN-Farm-Bill-Wildlife-Biologist-I-II-III?source=Our%20Career%20Page%20Widget

02/16/2026

Our office will be closed on Monday, February 16 in observance of Presidents Day 🎈

We will resume normal office hours on Tuesday, February 17th.

01/19/2026

Our office will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 19, 2026.

We will resume regular office hours on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.