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The Chisago County Soil and Water Conservation District is looking forward to putting extra boots on the ground in the upcoming first phase of a three-phase soil health promotion effort the agency has gotten special money to implement. 

The county SWCD won $570,000 which goes towards hiring a new staff member to focus on boosting quality of soil on large tracts and/or protecting crop soils. The second and third phases will bring more funding for local cost shares for specific practices.

Last year, according to a press release from the MN Board of Soil and Water Resources—through the regional conservational partnerships, a USDA program, BWSR got $25 million.  Plus, BWSR got $21 million from MN general fund  and the Clean Water Fund sent another $12 million.

Craig Mell, Chisago SWCD Director, says the grant-funded staff person will be operating in the rural ag areas of the county.  They will meet with landowners assessing properties for best practices, and working to improve soil health.  

BWSR announced that 39 SWCDs out of 90 in Minnesota won varying amounts totalling $17 million.

According to Mell soil health is a priority and a number of practices contribute to healthy soil— such as no till, crop rotation, cover crops, establishing pollinator habitat, etc.  Soil health needs are highlighted in the MN Climate Action Framework.

Meanwhile— the Chisago County SWCD headquarters in North Branch, has new landlords who would like the organization to vacate the Main Street Commons,  on Third Ave.a, that it shares with a couple other agencies.  

Mell, however, is hoping that deadline can be extended from end of July to end of 2024.  SWCD is co-located with the local branch of USDA NRCS and moving is a big undertaking.

~ Chisago County Master Gardeners is also housed in this SWCD building and their program was cleared by the County Board last week to accept a $2,999 state grant.  The group is planting ground cover and placing benches/cement pads in the “forest garden” in North Branch’s Harder Park.  The project qualified for a SHIP grant that flows from the MN Health Department to the county and then to the receiving applicant.

Chisago Lakes Middle School was also cleared by the County Board to receive $2,845 from SHIP for a food growing course.

The county commissioners also heard from Environmental Services and zoning department director Kurt Schneider that the planning commission is aiming at a first draft public review in June of new ordinances,  for the rural countryside. Township officials have been made aware of what’s pending and Schneider said two township officers’ monthly meetings have been devoted to presenting code updates as well.  Among areas needing attention are campsites, accessory dwelling units, rural retail tourism and major home occupations.  The planning commission is also looking at EV charging and large scale battery storage so there will be future guidance.

Notices of the upcoming hearing will be sent to those who may wish to provide commentary or review.

A Fish Lake Township plat was approved by commissioners 5-0 (Commissioner Jim Swenson is no longer participating on the Internet and is attending meetings in-person) The 16 acre site is being split into two eight acre lots, and is located on Brunswick Road.

The Minneapolis firm ICS LLC was approved to do a facilities assessment estimated at $20,000. There will be eight listening sessions facilitated to sketch a vision for county needs and a long range plan can be formed for the Government Center, using the information compiled.

   

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