You’re invited! Join us for a morning field day focused on land protection and sustainable habitat management options in the Vermillion River Watershed. Learn about land protection options and partners, hear about practical strategies to enhance your land’s health and productivity, and tour an example habitat restoration project.

Date: July 23, 2025 (rain date: July 28, 2025)
Time: 8:30 – 11 a.m.
Location: South Branch Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area (on the south side of 200th St. E, just west of highway 52)
Parking information: A small parking lot exists at the site. Overflow parking exists along the shoulder of 200th St. E.

Highlights of the Day:

• Meet and interact with non-profit and local government partners, including:
  • Friends of the Mississippi River, Dakota County SWCD, Vermillion River Watershed JPO, Dakota County, MN DNR
• Tour an active prairie and stream restoration project and see electrofishing demos
• Complimentary coffee and breakfast pastries will be provided

Please RSVP by Friday, July 18, 2025

To RSVP, please contact Alex Roth, FMR’s Land Conservation Program Director, at:

• Email: aroth@fmr.org
• Phone: 651-477-0928
  *RSVP list will be contacted if event moves to rain date*

What to Bring:

• Appropriate outdoor clothing (long pants and closed-toed shoes recommended)
• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, etc.)
• Water bottle

Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.

Virtual meeting access:

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 214 803 442 490 4

Passcode: xZ62nv3b
Dial in by phone

+1 651-273-3070,,842595818# United States, Hastings

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 842 595 818#

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.

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 220^th 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:

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 250 720 001 229

Passcode: VY65Jw35

Dial in by phone

+1 651-273-3070,,980027819# United States, Hastings

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 980 027 819#

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.

RSVP

Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.

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.