With direction from the Farmer-Led Council, the Watershed District (PLSLWD) is promoting cost-share opportunities for farmers. These cost-share opportunities are designed to promote nutrient management & inlet protection the watershed.
The Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District (PLSLWD) Cost Share Program was created to provide funds to landowners for the implementation of conservation practices that protect and improve water quality in rivers, lakes, streams and other valuable water resources located in the District’s jurisdictional area.
FREE Water Quality Inlets
Water Quality Inlets replace standard tile inlets in farm fields. They resist plugging and improve water quality by filtering debris before it enters the drainage system. This farmer-friendly surface inlet has flexible material that reduces damage on impact. Available in 6” or 8” diameter sizes at the Scott SWCD office while supplies last. Limited quantity available.
FREE Inlet Protection Rings
Inlet protection rings are biologs filled with wood chips mixed with Alum (aluminum sulfate) and wrapped around an inlet. The Alum increases the biolog’s ability to retain dissolved phosphorus which does not settle out of the water like particle bound phosphorus. This low-cost, highly effective inlet protection is now being offered for free to test out by farmers in the watershed. Available at the Scott SWCD office while supplies last. Limited quantity available.
FREE Interseeder Rental for Cover Crops
Healthy soil and clean water are high priorities for PLSLWD, and farmers are able to improve both by planting cover crops. A “cover” crop is a crop planted to manage soil erosion, fertility and quality, along with water, weeds, pests, diseases, biodiversity and wildlife. Successful cover crops in Scott County include tillage radishes, turnips, rape seed, cereal rye and clovers.
The Scott Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has a 6-row cover crop interseeder available for rent to assist in planting cover crops. Mounted on a 3-point hitch, the interseeder seeds cover crops into existing corn rows. The equipment, housed at the Scott County Fairgrounds, is delivered to and picked up from the planting site.
Normally, the rental fee for all equipment is $8 per acre. However, PLSLWD is offering FREE rental for farmers/operators in the watershed. Farmers may also take advantage of the SWCD’s cost-share opportunity for planting cover crops which can be as much as $30/acre.
For more information or to apply for the cost-share, please contact Scott Schneider at Scott SWCD at 952-492-5417 or sschneider@co.scott.mn.us.