Nicollet Soil and Water Conservation District

08/25/2026

Attention residents with Well Test Kits!

We have 2 final Well Test Kit drop off days for this summer.
If you bring your completed samples to our office (501 7th St, Nicollet, MN) by 2pm on Thursday, August 27th or Friday, September 4th, we will take them to Minnesota Valley Testing Lab in New Ulm on your behalf!

Please call our office at 507-232-2550 if you have any questions!

08/21/2026

Happening now! Go get your soil tested! 🌱

‼️UPDATE ON EVENT DATE‼️

Free Soil Lead Screening in Nicollet County

Wondering what’s in the soil around your home or garden? Bring a soil sample to SoilSHOP (Soil Screening, Health, Outreach, and Partnership) for a FREE lead screening.

Friday, August 21
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
St. Peter Public Library

In addition to having your soil screened for lead, you can learn about:
• Ways to lower lead exposure if lead is found in your soil
• Best practices for gardening
• Lead and its potential health effects

How to collect your soil sample:

Choose the area you would like tested.
Collect soil from 5–10 random spots within that area and combine it in a clean container.
• Garden areas: Collect soil from the surface down 6–8 inches.
• Non-garden/play areas: Collect soil from the surface down 1–2 inches.
Mix the soil well.
Remove pebbles, rocks, and roots, then allow the soil to air dry.
Place 1–2 cups of the mixed soil in a clean, one-quart zip-top plastic bag.

You may bring up to three soil samples per person. If collecting more than one sample, rinse your container between samples.

No cost and no appointment needed; just bring your prepared soil sample!

08/20/2026

All trees have been claimed!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our tree giveaway at the Nicollet County Fair! We had 175 entries in the drawing, and are excited to see these trees find new homes.

If you didn’t win a tree but would still like to order one, be sure to check out our tree order form for next year’s tree sale. We realize April may seem like a ways away, but it’s never too early to start thinking ahead!

If you’re on our newsletter mailing list, you’ll receive a tree order form in our January newsletter.

Not on the mailing list? Give us a call at (507) 232-2550 to get added.

Thank you again to everyone who participated!

08/19/2026

Check out this event we'll be at on September 1st! Pete is a Soil Health Mentor with our District and has lots of experience to share. Use code SWCD2026 for free registration. See you there!
https://www.mnsoilhealth.org/event/field-day-at-pete-kramers/

08/12/2026

Happy Fair Week Nicollet County!!

We are celebrating fair week with a TREE GIVEAWAY!!

To enter: like this post, share this post, and follow our page!

Stop by our booth at the fair during fair week (today, August 12th through Sunday, August 16th) and get an additional entry into the drawing.

We will draw a winner after the fair, on Monday, August 17th.

There are 7 trees up for grabs—Good luck!

08/12/2026

Happening tomorrow!

Mike Hewitt has been farming full-time near Walnut Grove in southwest Minnesota since 1989. He got into strip-till in the late 90s, and once he started growing wheat for straw, cover crops weren't far behind.

Join us this Thursday, August 13th at 12:30 PM for our next Cover Crop Chat, where Mike will walk through his cover crop plan for 2026 — corn, soybeans, oats, and sunflowers — and share the lessons he's picked up along the way. Join from the cab, the shop, or your lunch break.

Register: https://www.mnsoilhealth.org/event/cover-crop-chat-mike-hewitt/

08/11/2026

07/27/2026

Come see us at the fair 🎡🎟️🐮

07/09/2026

We are here until 5 pm—Come get your water tested!

Arlington Event Center
204 Shamrock Dr, Arlington, MN