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.

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.​

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.

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.​

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.

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.​

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.

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.​

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) Smart Salting training helps improve salt effectiveness and reduces chloride pollution. It also keeps surfaces safe and prevents chloride contamination in water bodies. Dakota County hosts Smart Salting Training at no cost to participants.

In the course, you will learn to:

• Reduce indoor and outdoor salt damage
• Use sustainable practices
• Manage liability and hidden costs of salt use on properties
• Look at winter maintenance strategies to discover improvement areas

New MS4 permit chloride requirements will be reviewed. Attendees can meet MPCA Level 1 Certification in Snow and Ice Control Best Practices. Certification is valid for two years. Session is online. Register by Sept. 30.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) Smart Salting training helps improve salt effectiveness and reduces chloride pollution. It also keeps surfaces safe and prevents chloride contamination in water bodies. Dakota County hosts Smart Salting Training at no cost to participants.

In this course, participants will learn how to integrate science with practical winter maintenance while minimizing impacts on the environment.

• Audience: private winter maintenance companies and city park, hospital, and school winter maintenance professionals
• Upon completion of training and passing the test issued at the end of training, you will earn a Smart Salting certification that expires five years from the date of training.

Attend a virtual or in-person introduction class to learn about creating beautiful gardens that help keep water clean.

Creating landscaped areas with native plants or gardens that soak up rainwater is the secret to leisurely living in great-looking yards. Attend a Landscaping for Clean Water Introduction to Clean Water class to see how others in your city have created landscaped areas that benefit local lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Choose one of five dates and locations, all from 6-7 p.m.:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Burnsville City Hall

MONDAY, MARCH 10

Apple Valley Municipal Center

MONDAY, APRIL 7

Dakota Lodge, West St. Paul

TUESDAY, MAY 6

Online Via Zoom

MONDAY, JUNE 2

Farmington Library

Pre-registration for the free class is required. Please visit www.DAKOTASWCD.org to register. Registration is open to everyone, Dakota County residency not required. Contact Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation district at 651-480-7777 or LCW@co.dakota.mn.us with any questions!

After seeing dozens of affordable designs that have transformed bland urban landscapes to beautiful retreats, participants can attend a Landscaping for Clean Water design course where you will receive guidance to create a design for your yard.

For more information about Landscaping for Clean Water go to www.DAKOTASWCD.org.