East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District
The East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District is a local unit of government that is supervised by a board of five elected officials. Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) are local units of government that help direct and manage natural resource programs. SWCDs originated out of the Dust Bowl days of the 1930's as local resources for the promotion and advancement of best management practices that protect and enhance our soil and water resources.
SWCDs are governed by a board of locally elected supervisors that develop policy, plans, and budgets for the district, empower and work with staff, and represent the district at meetings and other events. SWCD staff work primarily in a one-on-one basis with landowners, aiming to connect landowners with the technical and financial resources they need to put conservation practices on the land. Other conservation partners include local businesses, schools, cities, townships, lake associations, and state and federal agencies. Otter Tail County has two SWCDs that work jointly on many efforts, please contact your local office for assistance.
Climate-Smart practice: cover crops
Funding Available for Minnesota Producers
Producers in eight Minnesota counties may be eligible to receive $100 per acre or animal unit for integrating climate-smart agricultural practices into their farming operations. Climate-smart practices are those that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase soil health and improve water quality.
Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
On November 4th, 2008, Minnesota voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the state constitution. The Amendment increases the sales and use tax rate by three-eighths of one percent, starting July 1, 2009 and continuing through 2034.
Amendment dollars are dedicated to four funds:
- Outdoor Heritage Fund
- Parks and Trails Fund
- Cultural Heritage Fund
- Clean Water Fund
Local Soil and Water Conservation District offices may apply for money from the Clean Water Fund to fund local projects. The Clean Water Fund was created to:
- Protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater
- Protect drinking water sources
The Clean Water Funds are distributed through the Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR). BWSR grants provide the funding to local units of government to deliver soil and water conservation services to their communities. Grant funds support and increase local capacity to implement programs and provide cost-share to landowners who install conservation practices on the land to benefit state water and soil resource.
The Legacy Logo (above) identifies projects funded by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.
