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"State of the River" Report 2018 budget 25 by 25 Ag Water Quality Certification agriculture ais Alimagnet Angry Inch Angry Inch Brewery Apple Valley Apple Valley Senior Center aquatic invasive species astronomy bird watching board meeting buckthorn removal Burnsville Carpenter Nature Center Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center citizen advisory group Clean Water Summit 2016 climate Coca-Cola Refreshments in Eagan Minn. Community Advisory Committee community event Conservation Minnesota County Fair CP Adams Park Dakota County Dakota County Parks Dakota County SWCD de-icing workshop Eagan Earth Day exhibits Farmington field day fishing Fix-It Clinic FMR Fortin Consulting Freshwater Society Friends of CNC Friends of the Mississippi River Governor Dayton Greenway groundwater Hastings Hastings Environmental Protectors Hastings Sand Coulee SNA information meeting invasive species removal Inver Grove Heights irrigation Joint Powers Board Kevin Smith Lake Marion Lakeville landscape for the river landscaping for clean water lawn and garden lawns maintenance MAISRC Master Water Stewards Mike Lynch Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Minnesota Institute of Astrophysics Minnesota Landscape Arboretum minnesota pollution control agency Minnesota StarWatch Mississippi River MPCA MWS native plants nitrates North Creek Parks Pine Bend SNA planting for clean planting for clean water pollinators prairie seed collection private wells projects public hearing public meeting rain barrel rainbarrel raingarden redevelopment rosemount salt sand coulee SNA Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center scientific and natural area Scott County scott swcd shoreline Smart Salting snow and ice best practices South Branch Vermillion River Spring Lake Park St. Croix Valley Bird Club star map starry stonewort starry trek stormwater retrofits SWCD TAG Technical Advisory Group Technical Advisory Group (TAG) tour town hall township officers Trevor Russell trout stream Trout Unlimited TU turfgrass maintenance Twin Cities Trout Unlimited UMN Extension University of Minnesota urban urban best management practices Vermillion Falls Park Vermillion River Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area Vermillion River Watershed Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization Vermillion Riverkeepers Vermillion Stewards volunteer VRWJPB VRWJPO VRWPC water conservation water quality Water treatment watershed management Watershed Plan watershed planning commission Watershed Planning Commission (WPC) We Are Water MN Whitetail Woods Regional Park winter road maintenance WPC
Vermillion River Watershed Community Advisory Committee Meeting
Virtual meeting access:
Meeting ID: 214 803 442 490 4
Passcode: xZ62nv3b
Dial in by phone
+1 651-273-3070,,842595818# United States, Hastings
Phone conference ID: 842 595 818#
Hastings Kernza (Intermediate Wheatgrass) Field Day
The public is invited to the Hastings Kernza® Field Day on Aug. 14 to explore Kernza, a groundbreaking perennial grain that offers a powerful combination of environmental and agricultural benefits. This event will provide a close-up look at how Kernza is transforming farming practices by improving soil health, reducing runoff, and creating new opportunities for sustainable food and forage production.
Hosted in partnership with Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Forever Green Initiative, University of Minnesota Extension, and Dakota County, the event will highlight Kernza’s dual role as both a grain and forage crop. Participants also will learn about emerging market opportunities and cost-share programs available to farmers interested in transitioning to perennial systems.
Event Details
Hastings Kernza® Field Day
Aug. 14 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
2500 Enterprise Ave, Hastings
(Across the road from the Hastings Water Tower)
For more information, visit the event page: Hastings Kernza Field Day
Kernza is one of a suite of perennial crops that the Forever Green Initiative has included in its research and crop commercialization efforts. Its comprehensive approach moves new crops out of the lab and onto the landscape, where they can make a difference for farmers, the environment, industry, and society. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture receives Clean Water Funds to support the Forever Green Initiative.
When compared to annual crops, perennial crops require fewer resources to farm and provide living cover year-round. Continuous living cover has been shown to enhance water and soil quality, sequester carbon, build soil health, and provide greater biodiversity and pollinator habitat. Significant environmental benefits of these crops will result from widespread production.
Kernza is an intermediate wheatgrass that has diverse characteristics that make it desirable for food, beverages, and animal forages. Through private and public investment, the market for Kernza is growing in Minnesota.
Attendees will:
- Learn about Kernza’s environmental benefits and agronomic potential
- Hear from experts and producers advancing perennial agriculture
- Discover cost-share and conservation funding opportunities
- Network with farmers, researchers, and agricultural professionals
This free, in-person field day will take place rain or shine. Lunch will be provided, and attendees are welcome to stay for a casual social hour following presentations. Registration by Aug. 1 is required to ensure lunch is provided. Register online at Hastings Kernza Field Day.
This event is made possible through the collaboration of Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District, Forever Green Initiative, Dakota County, University of Minnesota Extension, and with support from Minnesota’s Clean Water Fund, which is dedicated to restoring and protecting Minnesota’s water resources for future generations.
Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) will hold a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025. This public hearing is to receive comments on the draft VRWJPO 2026 Budget and Watershed Management Tax District levy. It will take place at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center Conference Room A, 4100 220th Street West, Farmington, MN 55024. Information to access the hearing online will be published at www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/news-events/calendar. Advance notice of intent to attend in person is appreciated, but not required, to Travis Thiel at travis.thiel@co.dakota.mn.us or (952) 891-7546.
Agencies, groups, and individuals attending the public hearing will have the opportunity to provide written or oral comments. Prior to the public hearing, written comments may be addressed to the VRWJPO, 4100 220th Street West, Suite 103, Farmington, MN 55024, or emailed to Travis Thiel.
The draft VRWJPO 2026 Budget and Watershed Management Tax District levy can be viewed online at www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/news. Paper copies of the draft VRWJPO 2026 Budget and Watershed Management Tax District levy, as well as requests for accommodations at the public hearing, can be obtained by contacting Brita Moore-Kutz at brita.moore-kutz@co.dakota.mn.us or 952-891-7967.
Virtual meeting access:
Meeting ID: 250 720 001 229
Passcode: VY65Jw35
Dial in by phone
+1 651-273-3070,,980027819# United States, Hastings
Phone conference ID: 980 027 819#
Vermillion River Watershed Tour for Elected Officials
Local elected officials in the Vermillion River Watershed – County Commissioners, Mayors, City Councilmembers, Township Officers, and relevant staff – are invited to join the VRWJPO for a tour of four recently-completed Capital Improvement Program projects on September 25, 2025, from 9 a.m.-12 noon. Meet staff at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center to board a bus and visit sites. We will show how our work in the watershed benefits our communities.
Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board Meeting
Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.
Habitat Day with Twin Cities Trout Unlimited – Vermillion River Kummer AMA
This event is part of TCTU’s Vermillion River Initiative, focusing on protecting and enhancing this cold water stream so near to the Twin Cities!
Event copied from the TCTU website.
What Will We Be Doing
- Along with Mark Nemeth of the DNR, we will be executing another step in Project MACHETE
- MACHETE is an experiment of 3 methods of eradicating buckthorn
- Click this link to learn why buckthorn is problematic
- Please NOTE, we will have to wade across the Vermillion
The Plan
- Meet before the start time at the location (see map)
- We’ll sign waivers, drink some coffee, get set up, and get to work
What You Should Bring
- Dress for the weather
- Chest waders or wet wade gear as we will be crossing the Vermillion
- Heavy work gloves
- Water bottle
- Camp chair to sit on while we enjoy lunch
What TCTU & the DNR Will Provide
- All the needed equipment
- Bug spray
- LUNCH after we’re all done working!
Be advised that the event will be canceled if there’s dangerous weather, or if the river is too high & fast for safe crossings. If the event is cancelled, you will be informed via email, so check your email before you leave the house!
Registration will close 24 hours before the event for an accurate headcount.
Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board Meeting
Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.
Vermillion River Watershed Community Advisory Committee Meeting
Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.
