We provide technical resources to help owners and operators apply best management practices to their
Freeborn County SWCD is organized under provisions of MN Statute Chapter 103C and is governed by a board of five elected supervisors.
Operating as usual
Hello all,
Our new page has been created! This one will be DELETED by July 19th! Please like our new page at Freeborn County Soil & Water Conservation District - Freeborn SWCD.
Thank you!
Freeborn County Soil & Water Conservation District
Good Morning All! Our Page will be moving as this one is going to be deleted by Facebook since it was created prior to having advanced security. We are still working on the new page and getting things moved over (it is proving to be more difficult than anticipated). Please be sure to follow or like us on our new page. It should be available to search, but if not we've liked this post so you can click on it there and it should allow you to like/follow.
Hello all,
We have a couple of bundles of leftover trees yet.
1 bundle of 25 Serviceberry 18-24" - $44.00 plus tax
1 bundle of 25 Red Oak 2-3' - $46.00 plus tax
If you would like to purchase any of these, call our office at 507-373-5607 Ext. 3 or visit our website at www.freebornswcd.org. The trees are located at our office for pickup.
Thank you!
To serve the residents of Freeborn County by creating an awareness of soil and water resource concerns, by offering practical alternatives to manage these concerns, and by providing technical assistance (as local resources allow) to apply and maintain best management practices (BMPs) that impact wat...
The latest on our tree availability! If you would like to claim some place an order on our website at www.freebornswcd.com or call our office at 507-373-5607 Ext. 3.
Hello all,
Tree sales are wrapping up for the season! Here is a last chance to get your hands on some trees. Below is what we have left! It is easiest to place orders online at our website www.freebornswcd.org. You can also place an order by calling our office at 507-373-5607 Ext. 3 or visit our office at 1400 West Main Street Albert Lea, MN 56007.
If you ordered trees this season, be on the lookout for a post card with in the next couple of weeks with pickup information.
Thank you!
We still have some trees that are available! Place an order by visiting our website or by calling our office at 507-373-5607 Ext. 3.
If you ordered trees this season, we will be sending out postcards with more information on pick up times. We are anticipating it will be around the end to beginning of may!
Thank you all!
Here is an updated list on tree availability. We are getting low of what we can order from the nursery. If you see something that you would like, snag it now before someone else does! The easiest way to place an order is by visiting our website at www.freeebornswcd.org or by calling our office at 507-373-5607 Ext. 3.
Thanks!
Here is an updated list of our available trees. You can go online at www.freebornswcd.org to place an order, or you can call 507-373-5607 Ext. 3 or stop down at our office!
Thank you!
We are getting to the end of our tree order season. If you haven't ordered yet do so ASAP while stock lasts! See below for what we still have available.
Visit our website at www.freebornswcd.org to place an order, or call our office at 507-373-5607 Ext. 3.
Thanks!
We still have some trees available! You can place an order by visiting our website at www.freebornswcd.org, call our office at 507-373-5607 Ext. 3, or visit our office at 1400 West Main Street Albert Lea, MN 56007.
Thank you,
Freeborn County Soil & Water Conservation District
We still have trees available! If there isn't a quantity listed that means we are still able to order it from the nursery. Our website has the most up to date quantities at www.freebornswcd.org
There are still options to order deciduous potted trees. Contact our office if you are interested in those.
Thanks!
Remember to order trees by Friday Feb. 18th for best selection! We will accept orders after that date as long as stock is available. Call the office at 507-373-5607 Ext. 3 for assistance if needed. You can place orders online at www.freebornswcd.org.
The Minnesota Department of Ag has a summer employment opportunity.
Apply on-line at www.mn.gov/careers. Search for “surveyor”, “gypsy moth”,“Lymantria dispar”, or Job ID: 52276. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637. For additional information about the application process, go to www.mn.gov/careers.
Contact for More Info
Natasha Northrop, MDA Plant Protection Division
Phone: 651-341-6158 (c) l Email: [email protected]
REMINDER: Have you RSVP’d for your spot to attend the Winter Workshop in Albert Lea on Wednesday February 9th? The event will be featuring Mitchell Hora, Dean Sponheim, and Anne Sawyer. In addition we will have a speaker panel with Mitchell Hora, Dean Sponheim, and 3 local producers on it to have discussions with and ask questions to. There are also 3.5 CEU credits approved. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity! View the attached flyer for more details on the event content.
RSVP by TOMORROW January 28th, contact Lindsey at 507-320-3728 or email [email protected]. We hope to see you all there!
Timeline photos
The Freeborn County SWCD is once again working with other area SWCDs for the Southeastern Envirothon. This year's event will be held on April 21st at the Byron Sportsman and Conservation Club.
High School and Junior Teams are able to participate. If you know a teacher or students that would be interested in participating in the 29th Annual Envirothon or if you would like more information please contact Brittany Dawson by phone at 507-373-5607 ext. 3 or by email at [email protected]
REMINDER: Get you tree orders in early as there is a shortage at the nursery this year. Check out our online store at www.freebornswcd.org and place your order there! With all the snow we got today why not stay in and order from the comfort and warmth of your home!
Photos from Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts's post
The 2022 Freeborn SWCD Tree Sale is up and running!
NEW FOR 2022!
You can now order online at www.freebornswcd.org if you would still like to drop an order off, mail an order in, or meet with staff those options are still available!
We are also offering native plant packs this season!
If you have any questions or would like to meet with SWCD staff contact the office at 507-373-5607 Ext. 3. or email [email protected] or [email protected]
We look forward to working with you all this tree season!
-Freeborn SWCD Staff-
Hello everyone!
Here is the flyer for our 2022 I-90 Soil Health Winter Workshop that will be located in Albert Lea, MN on February 9th, 2022! Speakers will be Mitchell Hora, Dean Sponheim, and Anne Sawyer. View the attached flyer for more details. RSVP to this event by calling 507-320-3728 or email [email protected].
Freeborn County Soil & Water Conservation District - SWCD Albert Lea Seed MN Soybean Research & Promotion Council Arcadian Bank NRCS Compeer Financial Minnesota Corn Saddle Butte Ag Inc. Umn Extension Steele County SWCD Shell Rock River Watershed District
Today is the Winter Solstice which means there is only approximately 8 hours and 55 minute of daylight! Expect the sun to start setting around 4:40 this afternoon, but on the bright side the amount of daylight only increases from here!
Yesterday December 14th Bruce & Stuart Ness of Albert Lea were recognized as the Freeborn County SWCD Outstanding Conservationist of the year for 2020 & 2021 at the MASWCD State Convention held in Bloomington, MN. Thank you Bruce, Stuart, & Family for your conservation efforts in Freeborn County!
Mower SWCD district manager Justin Hanson joined Freeborn County Soil & Water Conservation District - SWCD’s Brenda Lageson and Lindsey Zeitler in presenting today at the Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts’ annual conference.
They talked about the ongoing collaboration between the Mower and Freeborn SWCD staffs to get projects in place, specifically in the Cedar River Watershed.
Congratulations Micah on your certification!
Congrats to Mower SWCD board member Micah Peterson on being certified for the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP)!
He has property near Grand Meadow in Pleasant Valley Township within the Root River's headwaters. There, Micah has done a nitrate-treatment pond; wetland restoration; habitat improvement; and enrolled land into the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
Micah is pictured with Brittany Dawson, a district technician for Freeborn County Soil & Water Conservation District - SWCD, who helps with Ag Certainty applications in Mower and Freeborn counties.
For more info on certifying a farm, contact Brittany at: [email protected]
You also can go online to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's webpage:
https://www.mda.state.mn.us/environment-sustainability/certify-your-farm
One of the goals for the Freeborn County SWCD is education. As part of this mission our SWCD participates in the planning and implementation of the Area 7 Envirothon.
Planning is in progress for the 2022 Area 7 Envirothon and students in grades 9-12 across the area compete against each other in 5 natural resource categories and the top 3 teams from the area advance to the MN State Envirothon which is being held on May 16, 2022 at Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls, MN.
If interested in learning more information or to sign up a team for the Area 7 Envirothon contact Brittany Dawson at [email protected] or via phone at 507-373-5607 ext. 3
Prevent sunscald from damaging your young tree! Sunscald happens when tree bark is thawed by the sun’s rays then quickly freezes again causing the bark to split.
Maple, linden, & other thin-barked trees are especially susceptible while they're young.
Wrap the trunk of your young tree with white plastic guards or tree warp to reflect the sun and keep the bark at a more constant temperature.
You’ll find more winter tree care tips here: http://bit.ly/2Hgq6yn
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! If given the chance take some time to head to an area State park and take advantage of this opportunity on Friday!
Get ready for FREE PARK FRIDAY!
This Friday Minnesota State Parks and Trails will be waiving entrance fees for all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas.
Four Free Park Days are offered throughout the year. With a free day in each season, it's a great opportunity to get out there and explore someplace new - or visit an old favorite at a new time of year!
mndnr.gov/freeparkdays
As we inch closer to the holiday season and purchasing holiday greenery here are a few reminders. For more information visit https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMDA/bulletins/2fa2a28
Reminder the SWCD will be closed in observance of Veterans Day tomorrow Thursday, November 11
Happy Halloween Everyone!
Check out this soil health field day on October 29th. Be sure to RSVP for a lunch!
RSVP for the FREE soil-health field day by Mower SWCD, Univ. of Minnesota and others on Friday, Oct. 29th, at the Terry & Cindy Hamilton farm between Elkton and Adams.
Boxed lunches will be provided at no charge but you must RSVP by Oct. 28th to guarantee yourself a lunch.
Trivia Tuesday: Fall Produce Trivia
1. How many apples does it take to crate one gallon of apple cider?
2. How many varieties of apples are there?
3. What were the first Jack O Lanterns made of?
Answers:
1. approximately 36 apples
2. more than 8000 varieties
3. turnips
Photos from Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources's post
Film on the Farm: Kiss the Ground
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-on-the-farm-kiss-the-ground-tickets-162076742901
Despite the rain some areas recently received, drought is causing stress on trees. Don’t make matters worse! Avoid:
🚫 Pruning
🚫 Compacting soil
🚫 Adding or removing soil
🚫 Applying lawn fertilizers or herbicides near trees
All of these things can cause additional stress.
The best way to help your trees during drought is by watering them regularly!
Find watering tips at go.usa.gov/xfcHc
Has anyone perfected their rain dance yet? If not we know that it can be a stressor on crops and livestock as portions of Freeborn County are in D2, severe drought will the remaining portion of the county is in D1, moderate drought. There are resources available to help you during this time, as shown in the photos. If you have other questions reach out to your local NRCS office for assistance.
Dry conditions persist across Minnesota...so remember to water your trees! When water is not available, trees shut down and can’t defend themselves against pests. Water-stressed trees also release defense chemicals that attracts insects. It's best to water in the early morning or late at night to conserve water.
For mature trees, water the soil under the tree's entire canopy from the trunk to the edge using a soaker hose. Or rotate a garden hose trickling water around the tree. Water long enough so the first 6 inches of soil are damp.
For newly planted trees (within the past 5 years), provide 25 gallons of water. Filling a water bag placed around your tree is the easiest method. Otherwise, use a soaker or garden hose as described above.
Check out this Bring Me the News article for tips on watering yard trees during drought: bit.ly/3ykZ7XQ
📷 Joe Murray, Treebio.com, Bugwood.org
This Thursday, August 5 from 3 to 4 pm the Mower County SWCD is holding an event at Gravity Storm Brewery in Austin for anyone interested in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. If interested in MAWQCP and unable to attend the informational session please contact Brittany Dawson with the Freeborn County SWCD with any questions at 507-373-5607 ext 3
1400 W Main Street
Albert Lea, MN
56007
| Monday | 7:30am - 4:30pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30am - 4:30pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30am - 4:30pm |
| Thursday | 7:30am - 4:30pm |
| Friday | 7:30am - 4:30pm |
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Freeborn County Sheriff's Office Explorer's P
S Broadway AvenueAlbert Lea / Austin Minnesota National Guard
Prospect AvenueCity of Clarks Grove Minnesota
Independence Avenue N, Clarks Grove
Albert Lea / Austin Minnesota National Guard
Prospect Avenue
Freeborn County Sheriff's Office Explorer's P
S Broadway Avenue