Rice Soil and Water Conservation District

06/05/2026

We had a great time visiting Rice County schools this spring for our Pocket of Prairie Program! More than 800 third-grade students had the opportunity to learn about pollinators, native plants, and prairie habitat. Now in its fourth year, the program continues to connect students with hands-on conservation education while encouraging families to create small pollinator-friendly spaces at home and at school. Learn more about the program on our blog!

https://www.riceswcd.org/post/students-learn-conservation-through-pocket-of-prairie-program

-with Le Sueur County SWCD, Wild Ones: SE MN Prairie Partners, Faribault Rotary Club, Tri Lakes Sportsmen's Club, Divine Mercy Catholic School, Faribault Lutheran School (FLS)

This spring, more than 800 third-grade students throughout Rice County had the opportunity to learn about pollinators, native plants, and prairie habitat through the Rice Soil & Water Conservation District’s (SWCD) Pocket of Prairie Program. Now in its fourth year, the program continues to connect...

06/03/2026

For those who have ordered native plants through the Rice SWCD Native Plant Sale, pick up will be today from noon until 5pm. Thank you for planting native!

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Northfield Middle School on their first, second, and third place finishes at the Area VII Envirothon! Learn more about the competition on our blog.

-with Northfield Public Schools, Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts

Students from across southeastern Minnesota gathered this spring at the Byron Sportsmen & Conservation Club near Byron, Minnesota to compete in the annual Southeast Minnesota Envirothon.

05/26/2026

Our Soil Health Specialist, Al Kraus, sat down with Noah Newman, Managing Editor of the Strip-Till Farmer magazine to talk about the Southeast Minnesota Soil Health Bus Tour 2026 National Strip-Till Conference.

There is still room on the bus for farmers and ag professionals from southeastern Minnesota to join us! Watch the video and learn more about the trip at the link below. Register today!

https://www.riceswcd.org/bustour2026

-with Steele County SWCD, Freeborn Area Soil Health Team, Freeborn County Soil & Water Conservation District - Freeborn SWCD, Wabasha SWCD, Goodhue County SWCD, Dodge Soil and Water Conservation District, Olmsted County SWCD, Wabasha SWCD, Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District, Waseca Soil & Water Conservation District -Waseca SWCD, Mower Soil & Water Conservation District, Winona County Soil & Water Conservation District, Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts,

https://youtu.be/ypu7JzhFk4Q?si=arsV_LucPJiDwy-H

In this video, Alan Kraus, soil health specialist with Rice and Steele SWCD, joins Strip-Till Farmer managing editor Noah Newman for a conversation about how...

05/22/2026

🌿 Back in Stock + New Product Alert for our online store! 🌿

Protect your landscape, gardens, and young trees from deer and other critters with Plantskydd® — now available in two convenient options!

🦌 NEW: Granular Plantskydd®
Perfect for creating a protective barrier around flower beds, gardens, shrubs, and other vulnerable plants. The granular formula helps deter deer, rabbits, and other browsing animals before they start feeding.

💧 Back in Stock: 5 Liter Liquid Plantskydd®
This ready-to-use liquid formula is ideal for spraying directly on plants, trees, ornamentals, vegetables, and fruit crops. It works by releasing an odor that animals associate with predators, helping keep them away without harming plants or wildlife.

✅ Safe for use on flowers, shrubs, trees, vegetables, and fruit plants
✅ Long-lasting and rain-resistant
✅ OMRI listed for organic use
✅ Helps prevent costly plant damage while supporting healthier landscapes

Stop by our online store and keep your plants protected this season! 🌱https://www.riceswcd.org/product-page/plantskydd-2-lb-granular-shaker-jug

05/20/2026

For those who have ordered native plants from the 2026 Rice SWCD Native Plant Sale, pick-up will be on Wednesday, June 3rd, from Noon to 5:00 pm at our office, located at 2211 2nd Ave NW in Faribault.

Please park at the south end of the parking lot and come to the garage to pick up your plants.

If you are unable to pick up your plant kits on June 3rd, you will need to call the office to make other arrangements. Native Plants are perishable and therefore cannot be guaranteed. Plants not picked up after one week will be forfeited. Thank you for planting native plants and helping our local pollinators!

05/19/2026

Amazing project by Faribault Middle School students planting native!

05/19/2026

People concerned about water quality and soil health in Rice County should consider filing by June 2, 2026, to run for the position of supervisor of the Rice Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).

“SWCD supervisors play a vital role in addressing many of the natural resource concerns facing our community, including wetland protection, water quality, soil erosion, and habitat restoration,” said Gene K***z, District Supervisor with the Rice Soil and Water Conservation District. “Serving as a supervisor gives local residents the opportunity to help guide conservation efforts and have a direct voice in how we care for our natural resources,” he added.

SWCDs are special-purpose units of government that manage and direct conservation programs, such as the State Cost-Share Program and the ReInvest in Minnesota (RIM) Wetland Program. An elected board of supervisors governs each of Minnesota’s 88 SWCDs.

This year, the Rice SWCD has two supervisor positions up for election. SWCD candidates appear on the ballot for the general election, which will take place on November 3, 2026. Candidates are elected county-wide but must reside in one of the nomination districts up for election. These include District 3 (Townships of Cannon City, Wheeling, Walcott, and Richland) and District 5 (City of Faribault). SWCD supervisors serve four-year terms.

SWCD supervisors meet monthly to discuss the business of the SWCD, including state grant allocations to landowners, district conservation priorities, coordination with other local units of government and state agencies, and legislative priorities. Supervisors do not receive a salary, although they do receive compensation for attending meetings and are reimbursed for expenses.

Those interested in running for supervisor should file at the Rice County Property Tax and Elections office from May 19 through June 2, 2026. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office at 507-332-5408.