Mar
8
Wed
2023
Minnesota Irrigator Program @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center
Mar 8 @ 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Minnesota Irrigator Program @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center

Minnesota Irrigator Program

Are you an irrigator concerned about matching your irrigation with crop water use? Are you wondering how to improve water use efficiency and reduce water costs? The University of Minnesota Extension is offering the Minnesota Irrigator Program (MIP), to help answer these questions and more.

The three-day MIP will be held in person at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington (same building as our office and Dakota County SWCD) on March 1, 8, and 15 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. Topics will include general water use and flow, irrigation sprinkler systems, variable rate irrigation, agronomics, maintenance, energy costs, and much more. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Participation is capped at 25 individuals and the cost is $75. For more information and to register, go to https://z.umn.edu/MIP23registration.

MIP attendance is one of the requirements for the Irrigation Endorsement awarded by the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program and certified producers are eligible for tuition reimbursement. Contact your local MAWQCP certifier for more information.

Mar
15
Wed
2023
Minnesota Irrigator Program @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center
Mar 15 @ 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Minnesota Irrigator Program @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center

Minnesota Irrigator Program

Are you an irrigator concerned about matching your irrigation with crop water use? Are you wondering how to improve water use efficiency and reduce water costs? The University of Minnesota Extension is offering the Minnesota Irrigator Program (MIP), to help answer these questions and more.

The three-day MIP will be held in person at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington (same building as our office and Dakota County SWCD) on March 1, 8, and 15 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. Topics will include general water use and flow, irrigation sprinkler systems, variable rate irrigation, agronomics, maintenance, energy costs, and much more. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Participation is capped at 25 individuals and the cost is $75. For more information and to register, go to https://z.umn.edu/MIP23registration.

MIP attendance is one of the requirements for the Irrigation Endorsement awarded by the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program and certified producers are eligible for tuition reimbursement. Contact your local MAWQCP certifier for more information.

Apr
29
Mon
2024
Landscaping for Clean Water Intro Class – Lakeville @ Ritter Farm Park
Apr 29 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water Intro Class - Lakeville @ Ritter Farm Park

In-person Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction Class

Join us for a one hour IN-PERSON class at Ritter Farm Park in Lakeville! Learn how native plants, raingardens, and shoreline plantings can bring pollinator and water quality benefits to your yard. The class is FREE and is a pre-requisite to taking part in the hands-on design course and grant program! Learn more.

Aug
7
Wed
2024
Irrigation Water Testing – Vermillion @ Vermillion City Hall
Aug 7 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Irrigation Water Testing – Vermillion (city)

Dakota County, the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center will be offering farmers who irrigate their crops the opportunity to test their irrigation water for nitrogen. Testing is at no cost.

Participants will receive their results the same day. They will learn how to credit nitrate in their irrigation water for next year’s nutrient management plans. Participants will also walk through the Irrigation Management Assistant (IMA) Tool with a SWCD staff member. The tool helps with irrigation scheduling.

Private well owners can also have their drinking water tested for nitrate. They will receive their results and treatment recommendations, if applicable.

Sampling instructions for irrigators

Samples may be taken the day of analysis or ahead of time. Samples taken ahead of time must be frozen until attending a session to prevent samples from degrading.

Participants may bring in several frozen samples collected over a period of several days to get a more representative result.

Samples can be collected directly from irrigators or by installing a boiler drain to a pivot point or the well itself.

If sampling directly from irrigators:

  • Allow irrigators to pump water for at least 15 minutes before sampling.
  • Fill a clean 5-gallon bucket, or similar container. Mix before collecting the sample.
  • Collect the test sample in a small Ziploc bag or a clean bottle or container. Only about 1 ounce of water is needed for testing.

Sampling instructions f​or private well owners

  • Collect samples from your primary drinking water source after eight hours of nonuse, preferably first thing in the morning
  • Collect your sample in a small Ziplock bag or clean bottle or container
  • Do not run the water before sampling — collect the first draw in the container
  • Only about 1 ​ounce of water is needed for testing, but collecting extra is advised.​

Test results

Nitrogen results are confidential. Participants are not required to take any action after testing. They will receive their results and information on nitrogen crediting.​

Aug
15
Thu
2024
Irrigation Water Testing – Farmington @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center
Aug 15 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Irrigation Water Testing – Farmington

Dakota County, the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center will be offering farmers who irrigate their crops the opportunity to test their irrigation water for nitrogen. Testing is at no cost.

Participants will receive their results the same day. They will learn how to credit nitrate in their irrigation water for next year’s nutrient management plans. Participants will also walk through the Irrigation Management Assistant (IMA) Tool with a SWCD staff member. The tool helps with irrigation scheduling.

Private well owners can also have their drinking water tested for nitrate. They will receive their results and treatment recommendations, if applicable.

Sampling instructions for irrigators

Samples may be taken the day of analysis or ahead of time. Samples taken ahead of time must be frozen until attending a session to prevent samples from degrading.

Participants may bring in several frozen samples collected over a period of several days to get a more representative result.

Samples can be collected directly from irrigators or by installing a boiler drain to a pivot point or the well itself.

If sampling directly from irrigators:

  • Allow irrigators to pump water for at least 15 minutes before sampling.
  • Fill a clean 5-gallon bucket, or similar container. Mix before collecting the sample.
  • Collect the test sample in a small Ziploc bag or a clean bottle or container. Only about 1 ounce of water is needed for testing.

Sampling instructions f​or private well owners

  • Collect samples from your primary drinking water source after eight hours of nonuse, preferably first thing in the morning
  • Collect your sample in a small Ziplock bag or clean bottle or container
  • Do not run the water before sampling — collect the first draw in the container
  • Only about 1 ​ounce of water is needed for testing, but collecting extra is advised.​

Test results

Nitrogen results are confidential. Participants are not required to take any action after testing. They will receive their results and information on nitrogen crediting.​

Aug
20
Tue
2024
Irrigation Water Testing – Marshan Twp @ Marshan Town Hall
Aug 20 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Irrigation Water Testing – Marshan Township

Dakota County, the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center will be offering farmers who irrigate their crops the opportunity to test their irrigation water for nitrogen. Testing is at no cost.

Participants will receive their results the same day. They will learn how to credit nitrate in their irrigation water for next year’s nutrient management plans. Participants will also walk through the Irrigation Management Assistant (IMA) Tool with a SWCD staff member. The tool helps with irrigation scheduling.

Private well owners can also have their drinking water tested for nitrate. They will receive their results and treatment recommendations, if applicable.

Sampling instructions for irrigators

Samples may be taken the day of analysis or ahead of time. Samples taken ahead of time must be frozen until attending a session to prevent samples from degrading.

Participants may bring in several frozen samples collected over a period of several days to get a more representative result.

Samples can be collected directly from irrigators or by installing a boiler drain to a pivot point or the well itself.

If sampling directly from irrigators:

  • Allow irrigators to pump water for at least 15 minutes before sampling.
  • Fill a clean 5-gallon bucket, or similar container. Mix before collecting the sample.
  • Collect the test sample in a small Ziploc bag or a clean bottle or container. Only about 1 ounce of water is needed for testing.

Sampling instructions f​or private well owners

  • Collect samples from your primary drinking water source after eight hours of nonuse, preferably first thing in the morning
  • Collect your sample in a small Ziplock bag or clean bottle or container
  • Do not run the water before sampling — collect the first draw in the container
  • Only about 1 ​ounce of water is needed for testing, but collecting extra is advised.​

Test results

Nitrogen results are confidential. Participants are not required to take any action after testing. They will receive their results and information on nitrogen crediting.​

Aug
27
Tue
2024
Irrigation Water Testing – Hampton @ Hampton City Hall
Aug 27 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Irrigation Water Testing – Hampton (city)

Dakota County, the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center will be offering farmers who irrigate their crops the opportunity to test their irrigation water for nitrogen. Testing is at no cost.

Participants will receive their results the same day. They will learn how to credit nitrate in their irrigation water for next year’s nutrient management plans. Participants will also walk through the Irrigation Management Assistant (IMA) Tool with a SWCD staff member. The tool helps with irrigation scheduling.

Private well owners can also have their drinking water tested for nitrate. They will receive their results and treatment recommendations, if applicable.

Sampling instructions for irrigators

Samples may be taken the day of analysis or ahead of time. Samples taken ahead of time must be frozen until attending a session to prevent samples from degrading.

Participants may bring in several frozen samples collected over a period of several days to get a more representative result.

Samples can be collected directly from irrigators or by installing a boiler drain to a pivot point or the well itself.

If sampling directly from irrigators:

  • Allow irrigators to pump water for at least 15 minutes before sampling.
  • Fill a clean 5-gallon bucket, or similar container. Mix before collecting the sample.
  • Collect the test sample in a small Ziploc bag or a clean bottle or container. Only about 1 ounce of water is needed for testing.

Sampling instructions f​or private well owners

  • Collect samples from your primary drinking water source after eight hours of nonuse, preferably first thing in the morning
  • Collect your sample in a small Ziplock bag or clean bottle or container
  • Do not run the water before sampling — collect the first draw in the container
  • Only about 1 ​ounce of water is needed for testing, but collecting extra is advised.​

Test results

Nitrogen results are confidential. Participants are not required to take any action after testing. They will receive their results and information on nitrogen crediting.​

Sep
7
Sat
2024
Meet-a-Stream Day on the Vermillion @ Vermillion River near Farmington
Sep 7 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Meet-a-Stream Day on the Vermillion @ Vermillion River near Farmington

Meet-a-Stream Day with Minnesota Trout Unlimited

Join MNTU education specialist and long time fly angler, Evan Griggs, at his favorite MNTU habitat project sites. Tour the project site to see how habitat work benefits the stream. Learn about stream ecology by sampling macroinvertebrates to determine water quality and see what the trout are eating. Then we’ll practice our fly fishing skills, like casting and knot tying, before heading out to try and catch some trout.

Our programs are tailored for kids, families, and newer anglers. This is a great way to explore some new fishing spots, understand how our habitat projects benefit trout, and grow your fishing skills! All gear provided and no fishing license or trout stamp are required for participants at these events. For ages 10+, an adult must accompany their minor(s) at all times. If looking to register more than 3 people or have questions, contact Evan Griggs, tic.mntu@gmail.com.