Kanabec Soil & Water Conservation District

06/26/2026

www.kanabecswcd.org/careers

06/25/2026

No-till farming is a sustainable agricultural practice that involves growing crops without disturbing the soil through tillage or turning. Crop residue remains on the surface, helping to prevent erosion, improve soil structure by creating pore space for air and water, increase water infiltration into the soil profile, and keep the soil cooler during hot, sunny days.

Hear directly from Minnesota farmer Alex Udermann with Meadowbrook Dairy, as he shares his experience incorporating reduced tillage practices on his farm.

In this video, learn about the benefits of conservation tillage and...

06/23/2026

Soil Health Field Day coming up on August 1 at Fresh Starts Farm in Mora! 🔎🌱

Chat with Farmer and Owner, Rye Carlson and other experts in soil health-centered farming.

Soil-building ag practices and sustainable farming equipment will be featured during the field day, with plenty of peer-to-peer discussion opportunities throughout.

Registration ($25) includes a one-year membership to the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition!

Visit bit.ly/4rkNkE6 to register.

06/23/2026

UPDATE: A special filing period has been established for the vacant Kanabec SWCD Area 3 Supervisor position.

Interested candidates may file July 14-28, 2026, to appear on the November General Election ballot.

Read the full notice here:

A vacancy has been announced for the Kanabec Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Area 3 Supervisor position.

06/18/2026

Minnesota weather doesn't always cooperate.

Cover crops can help soils better handle heavy rainfall, improve water infiltration, reduce erosion, and keep nutrients on the land and out of the water. 🌱💧

Healthy soil benefits more than the farm field. It helps protect our lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater, too.

Learn more in the short video below.

In this video, learn about the importance of having living roots in...

06/15/2026

Cleaner lakes take steady work on multiple fronts.

Lasting improvements come from many projects working together over time: communities working together to reduce nutrient runoff, restore shorelines, protect habitat, and address legacy phosphorus already in the lake.

🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwjAoRwLrmM

Native shoreline buffers provide benefits both above and below the waterline. They help keep nutrients out of lakes, reduce shoreline erosion, support fish and wildlife habitat, benefit pollinators, and can even discourage nuisance geese that prefer open, mowed shorelines.

🏡 Native shoreline buffers work! Just 2-3 lakeshore properties with well-placed buffers can keep enough phosphorus out of a lake to prevent roughly 500 pounds of algae growth. 🏡

Kanabec SWCD offers site visits, conservation planning, and project design assistance at no cost to landowners.

Animated video about lakeshore restoration and stewardship created ...

06/11/2026

What does healthy soil have to do with clean water?

Healthy soils improve water infiltration, reduce erosion, and help protect groundwater and surface water.

Learn more in this short video featuring Minnesota farmer Alex Udermann and NRCS Soil Health Specialist Stephanie McLain.

In this video, learn how healthy soil is the root to achieving clea...

06/10/2026

We've received several questions and comments about the lower water levels in Mora Lake. We are aware of the situation, and the City of Mora is also aware of the current lake conditions.

At this time, there are not many practical management options available. Lake water levels are influenced by a combination of precipitation, snowpack, runoff, groundwater interactions, and evaporation.

Recent Minnesota DNR streamflow reports have identified low-flow conditions across Kanabec County watersheds, including the Snake River watershed, which contains Mora Lake. Similar low-flow conditions have also been reported in the Rum River and Kettle/Upper St. Croix watersheds. These conditions are generally consistent with the lower lake levels being observed.

More broadly, precipitation patterns have become increasingly variable in recent years. The timing, intensity, and form of precipitation can all affect how much water ultimately reaches and remains in our lakes, making water level responses difficult to predict.

Based on the available information, current water levels appear to be primarily the result of broader weather and hydrologic conditions. We will continue to monitor conditions and share information as it becomes available.

06/02/2026

It may seem like the humane thing to do, but releasing an unwanted pet into the wild can harm native wildlife and local ecosystems.

Before releasing a goldfish or other pet, take a moment to learn about the impacts and responsible alternatives in this short Minnesota Department of Natural Resources video.

Goldfish, often illegally introduced by well-meaning pet owners, ar...