The Current
Manitowoc Co. Soil & Water Conservation Dept. Winter 2021
Depth to Bedrock Survey Completed
The Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the U.S. Geological Survey USGS partnered to measure depth to bedrock across northeastern Wisconsin. The survey covered nearly 2,000 miles, stretching from northern Door County through Brown, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, and small sections of Fond Du Lac, and Sheboygan counties.
This video, taken by Manitowoc County resident, Callie Behnke, captures the USGS helicopter with AEM – airborne electromagnetic technology hovering over a farm field near St. Nazianz.
Knowing how deep the soil is before reaching bedrock is key to understanding how to protect groundwater from potential pollutants applied on the surface.
"This project will update our maps and help landowners better understand how surface applications of certain materials can impact groundwater quality,” said Sara Walling, Administrator of DATCP’s Division of Agricultural Resource Management. “Protecting Wisconsin’s groundwater is essential to public health and to the state’s economy. We all rely on clean groundwater for drinking, irrigating crops, watering livestock, and processing foods.”
Completion of the depth to bedrock maps is projected for this fall. To learn more about the project, visit: https://aemsurvey.wi.gov
Support 4-H Camp TaPaWingo Tree Sale!
Want to beautify your yard? Reduce your family’s carbon footprint? Replace winter damaged shrubs? Support 4-H Camp TaPaWingo and help the environment at the same time by purchasing trees or shrubs from our wide assortment of species available. Some of the species available this year are Balsam Fir, Black Spruce, White Pine, Flame Birch, Sugar Maple, Butterfly Bush, Dogwood Red Osier, Hazel Nut and more.
Quantities are limited so submit your order soon.
Order deadline is March 1st, 2021 and drive up pick up service is scheduled for Friday, April 30, 2021.
Minimum order is 10 trees or shrubs of one kind and must be ordered in multiples of 10.
https://manitowoc.extension.wisc.edu/camp-tapawingo/fundraising/
A Win for Water Quality: Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Protects More Wisconsin Soil and Water
Wisconsin had a net gain of land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) in 2020, a win-win for agricultural producers and the environment. CREP is designed to improve water quality, benefit wildlife through habitat development, and reward participants for doing their part to help the environment. The program pays landowners to return sections of their agricultural fields such as frequently flooded areas, to wetlands, or to plant native trees, shrubs, and grasses to act as buffers and filter strips along streams, rivers, and wetlands. These “untamed”-looking vegetated areas stabilize soil, filter runoff, and create pollinator and wildlife habitat. The remaining, adjacent land is kept in agricultural production, which is another attractive perk for many producers.
Wisconsin has 40,475 acres enrolled in the program including: 17,500 acres in filter strips, 6,100 acres in riparian buffers, and 3,000 acres of wetland restorations. Locally, Manitowoc County signed 10 CREP agreements in 2020. That’s 8,660 ft. of streambanks, 33.6 acres of grass buffers, and 3.6 acres of tree buffers planted to reduce runoff and restore wildlife habitat. To date, landowners participating in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program have buffered 41 miles of streambank , developed 20 acres of wetland, planted 250 acres of trees and 382 acres of grass to provide a buffer along streams, lakes, and wetlands in Manitowoc County.
If you are interested in enrolling some of your land in CREP, call our office at 920-683-4183. Click the link to view potential CREP buffer areas:
https://manitowoc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=84a5bbb046804c559fc9cd13e91b2d49
Be on the Look Out: New Cost Share Application Forms for 2021
Considering installing conservation practices on your land? Financial and technical assistance may be available for eligible applicants interested in installing and implementing conservation practices such as: grassed waterway construction, nutrient management planning, cover cropping, reducing tillage, and well abandonment.
The Manitowoc County SWCD is now accepting cost share applications for 2021. This new form will streamline the cost-share process and help SWCD prioritize practice installation needs across the county. Download the application below or contact a Resource Conservationist at 920-683-4183.
Tile Drainage School set for March 8, 9, 11 and 16
Wetter weather patterns and fieldwork challenges have led many producers to consider purchasing their own tile plow or adding to their existing drainage system. Knowing how to properly design, lay out and install a system prevents costly mistakes. Extension in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa are partnering to host a 4-day virtual Tile Drainage School, 8 am-noon on March 8, 9, 11 and 16 for producers and tile contractors
In this introductory-level course, drainage experts from all three Universities will walk participants through assessing the field prior to installation, choosing the best lateral spacing, slope and outfall considerations, finding old tile systems and outlets/lift stations. Agency experts will discuss the steps to avoid regulatory pitfalls, and participants will be able to lay out a system and receive feedback on their approach.
The cost is $50 for the first person from a farm/tile installation business, and $25 for each additional person. To register, visit http://go.wisc.edu/39v013. For more information, contact Kevin Erb, UW Extension Conservation Professional Training Program at Kevin.Erb@wisc.edu or 920.391.4652
Wisconsin Manure Applicator Training dates for 2021
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension, is hosting four virtual Manure Applicator Training sessions (Level 1 / Manure 101). Designed for employees of both for-hire manure applicators and farmers applying their own manure, this 3-hour training covers the basics of manure spill response, setbacks and regulations, neighbor relations and equipment/manure gas safety.
Participants can register for any one of the sessions online at http://go.wisc.edu/4lm34e. An internet-capable device and internet connection is required, and the cost is $10/person. Dates/times of the training are:
- March 4th, 9 am - Noon
- March 11th, 6 pm - 9 pm
- March 23rd, 9 am - Noon
- March 29th, 12:30 - 3:30 pm
For more information, contact any of these Extension staff: Kevin.Erb@wisc.edu, jerome.clark@wisc.edu, richard.halopka@wisc.edu, amber.obrien@wisc.edu or george.koepp@wisc.edu
Farmland Preservation Program
Click the link to learn more about the Farmland Preservation Program (FPP) tax credit. *If you need a certificate of compliance and bought or sold land in 2020, call our office at 920-683-4183 so that we can update your certificate. https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/FPTaxCredits.aspx