More than 50 individuals turned out for the Small Farms Day program hosted by the Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) at the Sherburne History Center in Becker last Saturday.  Event coordinator Tiffany Determan, SWCD Water Resources Specialist, said the mix of attendees included local agri-business owners and others from as far north as Bemidji and as far south as Rochester.

 

Presenters included Krishona Martinson from the University of Minnesota, who discussed pasture management and the problem of poisonous plants and Veterinarian Rick Marion from Anoka Equine who spoke on multiple livestock health care issues.

 

Determan gave an overview of SWCD services in water testing and pasture management, including a presentation on stormwater run-off and the problems of bacteria, phosphorous and nitrogen infiltrating groundwater from fields and pastures, and the effects of e coli bacteria in lakes and streams, including algae growth, oxygen depletion and fish kills. She also highlighted the effects on humans, including the dangers of swimming in e coli contaminated waters and the toxic effect of excess nitrogen on new-born infants.

 

Operating with a grant from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Fund in Minnesota, Determan said the agency can provide technical and financial support for a section of Sherburne County that includes Palmer, Santiago and Becker townships. Determan said afterwards that many farm operators had not been aware of SWCD operations in their areas, and that they told her they would investigate those opportunities because of what they learned at the workshop.

 

SWCD District Technician Bill Bronder facilitated the afternoon session on pasture management which included presentations by two Sherburne County land-owners, Lynne Shonyo, who is working to install a manure compost system on the farm where she raises horses, goats and rabbits in Big Lake, and Drew Fitzpatrick from the MN Hooved Animal Rescue, who uses a manure haul-away service at that operation.  Also on hand to help facilitate the event were SWCD District Manager Francine Larson and District Aide Frances Gerde.

 

SWCD hopes to host another workshop session next year, Determan said, possible in concert with other groups.  A number of informational booths were part of the day-long program, including displays from the MN Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation, the Clear Lake Co-op, Shonyo Farm, the MN Horse Council and the Sherburne SWCD.

 

For more information, contact the Sherburne SWCD office at (763) 241-1170 ext. 4.