East Otter Tail SWCD - Blog

October 30, 2025 by Press Release

Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) are once again stepping up to help Minnesota farmers protect water resources and improve irrigation efficiency. Working closely with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 26 SWCDs across the state will lead on-the-ground implementation of a new five-year conservation initiative supported by $11.16 million in federal funding.

October 16, 2025 by Kristi Rorah

Alan Westad of rural Parkers Prairie has been selected by the East Otter Tail Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) to receive the 2025 Outstanding Conservationist Award for East Otter Tail County.

September 09, 2025 by Darren Newville

Minnesota farmers now have an exciting opportunity to improve their land while strengthening their bottom line through the Minnesota Soil Health Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This program provides financial and technical assistance to producers who want to implement soil health practices that build resilience, reduce erosion, and improve water quality. Whether you’re interested in cover crops, reduced tillage, or nutrient management, the RCPP is designed to support practices that benefit both your farm and the environment.

August 28, 2025 by Darren Newville

When we think about healthy lakes and rivers, most of us picture clear water, good fishing, and recreation opportunities. What we don’t always see is the invisible system that supports them—the watershed. Understanding watersheds and runoff helps explain why a lack of rain during the growing season (April through October) has such a direct effect on lake levels in river-fed systems, like many of the lakes in the Otter Tail River Watershed.

June 26, 2025 by Alyson Levig

Ken Berg, who has served as a board supervisor for the Wadena Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) since 2000, has recently become water quality certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). The decade-old program offers a voluntary opportunity for farmers to become certified by implementing conservation-minded practices that protect water quality. Berg’s farm achieved certification in April of 2025, accompanying over 1,500 producers farming over one million accredited acres throughout the program.