Mar
1
Wed
2023
Minnesota Irrigator Program @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center
Mar 1 @ 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
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.

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.​