GBERBA Soil Health Implementation Grant

The Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance (GBERBA) is a joint powers organization consisting of ten member Counties and SWCDs encompassing the Blue Earth, Le Sueur and Watonwan Watersheds. Our mission is to lead in the implementation and promotion of economically viable watershed activities through the combined efforts of local partners. We have identified two target areas in the GBERB (Greater Blue Earth River Basin) where high levels of nitrates directly affect public water supply. These areas have been identified as high priority for groundwater protection in the Watonwan River Watershed Comprehensive Management Plan, Le Sueur WRAPS and outlined in the MPCA Watershed Pollutant Load Reduction Calculator. Our proposed activities through new conservation farming adopters will add 1,800 acres of cover crops, 1,800 acres of strip-till/no-till, and 1,800 acres of strip-till/no-till that incorporate manure injection technology, and 300 acres of new CRP resulting in 33,021 pounds of nitrogen from entering high priority groundwater protection areas in GBERB watersheds. Adopting cover crops, or other soil health practices, is a fundamental shift for most landowners and takes substantial consideration in changing their farming practices. We aim to gather economic and crop yield data through our contracted acres and develop an interactive, online map site for producers in southern Minnesota to reference who are actively transitioning from conventional farming methods. We also plan on organizing demonstration and workshop days that will highlight local producer success and challenges during their transition to conservation farming methods. Farmers at the demonstrations and workshops will be able to see first-hand the yield and cost benefits of cover cropping and reduced tillage, along with new equipment and technology to further increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness.