Rice Soil and Water Conservation District

06/19/2026

Our office will be closed today,Friday June, 19th, for the Juneteenth holiday. We will resume our regular office hours on Monday, June 22.

Our office will be closed Friday June, 19 for the Juneteenth holiday. We will resume our regular office hours on Monday, June 22.

06/18/2026

ATTENTION FARMERS & AG INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS: 🌱 Seats are filling and the registration deadline is less than one month away!

Join us for the Southeast Minnesota Soil Health Bus Tour to the National Strip-Tillage Conference, August 5–7, 2026. This three-day trip is a great opportunity to connect with fellow farmers, see innovative practices in action, and learn from producers and industry experts who are putting soil health principles to work.

Highlights include:
🚌 Charter bus transportation from southeast Minnesota
🌱 Admission to the National Strip-Tillage Conference
🔬 A pre-conference workshop and field visit at the Bayer Crop Science Research Farm
🤝 Networking with farmers and soil health professionals from across the country

A $100 deposit reserves your seat. Register by July 15th!

Whether you're already using strip-till and cover crops or just curious about how these practices can fit into your operation, this trip offers practical information you can bring back to your farm.

📅 August 5–7, 2026
📍 Departures from Owatonna and Stewartville
🔗 Register today before the deadline!
https://www.riceswcd.org/bustour2026

-with , Freeborn Area Soil Health Team, Steele County SWCD, Freeborn County Soil & Water Conservation District - Freeborn SWCD, Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Goodhue County SWCD, Waseca Soil & Water Conservation District -Waseca SWCD, Dodge Soil and Water Conservation District, Olmsted County SWCD, Wabasha SWCD, Winona County Soil & Water Conservation District, Mower Soil & Water Conservation District, Le Sueur County SWCD, Dakota and Rice counties Corn / Soybean Growers Association, Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District

06/11/2026

The Cannon River Watershed Joint Powers Organization and Minnesota Women in Conservation are hosting a learning circle on Wednesday, June 17th at 6:00 p.m. at the Forest Township Hall in Faribault.

Join individuals from across the Cannon River Watershed for an evening of women-focused conversation and connection on invasive species management across woodland and lake shore ecosystems.

There is still time to register for this great event next Wednesday!

🌿 Women-Focused Learning Circle on Invasive Species Management

Join individuals from across the Cannon River Watershed for an evening of women-focused conversation and connection on invasive species management across woodland and lake shore ecosystems.

📅 Wednesday, June 17
🕕 6:00 p.m.
📍 Forest Township Hall - Millersburg

Through an informal learning circle, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with experienced conservation professionals and land stewards, exchange ideas, ask questions, and gain hands-on experience identifying invasive species found in our region.

Whether you are just getting started or have years of experience managing your land, you'll leave with new knowledge, practical tips, and valuable connections.
☕ Coffee and cookies provided
👧 Children are welcome

Please RSVP to Teresa DeMars at (507) 332-5408 or [email protected].

Hosted by the Cannon River Watershed Joint Powers Organization and Minnesota Women in Conservation

-with Le Sueur County - Government, Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District, Rice Soil and Water Conservation District, Goodhue County, Goodhue County SWCD, Steele County, Steele County SWCD, Rice County Environmental Services, Rice County Master Gardeners (U of MN), Waseca Soil & Water Conservation District -Waseca SWCD, Le Sueur County Environmental Services, Le Sueur County Master Gardeners,

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