Mar
1
Wed
2023
Minnesota Ag-Urban Partnership Forum @ College of St. Benedict - Gorecki Center
Mar 1 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Minnesota Ag-Urban Partnership Forum

Plan to participate in person to learn more about the ways that agricultural and urban partners are working together to prepare for extreme weather events and improve water quality around Minnesota. This fourth annual event will focus on extreme weather resiliency, with keynote speaker, Heidi Roop, Ph.D., director, Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership at the University of Minnesota.

Who should attend?

Agricultural, government, local, and urban partners looking for ideas on how to develop and strengthen their relationships while improving the water quality of Minnesota lakes and streams are encouraged to attend.

Online registration is open. Registrations are requested before Feb. 21, 2023, to help finalize preparations for the event.

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.​

Oct
4
Sat
2025
Native prairie seed collecting in Alimagnet Park @ Alimagnet Park
Oct 4 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Native prairie seed collection event

From the City of Burnsville:

This fall, we’re teaming up with volunteers of all ages to collect prairie seeds and plant native flowers and grasses in Burnsville parks like Alimagnet. It’s a hands-on way to learn, connect with neighbors, and leave a lasting mark on our community.

  • Everyone is welcome; no experience with seed collecting or native plants is necessary.
  • Activity level: Moderate-Traveling off-trail, standing, and walking on uneven ground is expected.
  • City staff will provide gloves, glasses, and seed collection training. Feel free to bring your favorite garden gloves and a water bottle.
  • Once registered, be on the lookout for an email with parking details and weather updates no later than 24 hours before the event.