The Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will partner with the U of M, Anoka Equine and the MN Horse Council to hold a workshop for small farm owners, particularly those in the Elk River Watershed but also open to all persons who have similar interests. The SWCD is seeking to promote the event heavily in Sherburne County to give residents the best opportunity to register first as space is limited to 50, according to SWCD Specialist Tiffany Determan.

 

 The event will take place at the Sherburne History Center in Becker Sat., March 7 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 

 The program was initiated through a Clean Water Fund grant to improve water health in the Elk River.  The grant funds will be used to provide much-needed assistance to small acreage farmers, focusing on those that are situated along the rivers, streams and ditch corridors, Determan said. 

 

The program will provide small-acreage farm owners with information to enhance their ability to increase productivity of pastures, dispose of manure and protect water quality. It will also connect the Sherburne SWCD with landowners in the program target area to increase implementation of practices to protect clean water. 

 

The target audience includes Sherburne County small farm owners with horses, llamas, goats, bison and cattle using minimal acreage. While the workshop is open to anyone, program funds can only be used in a small sub-watershed area situated along the Elk River in Sherburne County, Determan said. 

 

A link is available at: http://www.sherburneswcd.org/news/news.htm which will provide more information on the workshop.

 

For information contact SWCD Water Resources Specialist Tiffany Determan by phone at 763-241-1170 x 132 (office), or via fax at 763-635-0037.  On-line registration is available on the SWCD website.