September 2026 Newsletter

Soil Health Days

A man and a woman stand beside a black cow in a pasture, holding a MAWQCP certification sign, enjoying a sunny day outdoors. — Jon and Carin Stevens’ Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certified Farm - Maple Grove Farms. Rock Creek, MN. Image: Pine SWCD

This month, Kanabec SWCD staff attended four soil health field days organized by the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, Mille Lacs SWCD and Rum River Watershed Partnership, and Pine SWCD and Snake River Watershed Partnership along with regional NRCS partners. These events are hands-on opportunities to view conservation practices that protect soil and water health. Cover crops, pollinator plots, and rotational grazing were highlighted at these events. All of these practices keep soil rooted and covered - increasing water infiltration while reducing erosion.

A vibrant field of yellow flowers under a clear blue sky, with distant greenery and a small structure in the background. — Pollinator plot on Steve Hallan’s Hilltop Ranch. Pine City, MN. Steve Hallan also has a MAWQCP certified farm.

Contact us for help creating your own reduced-tillage, cover crop, or rotational grazing system!

Kanabec SWCD Shoreline Panel

On August 7th at Sapsucker Cidery we held a shoreline panel event for lakeshore and streambank owners in the snake river watershed. The panel members included Pine SWCD technician Krista Arne, Technical Service Area 3 Engineer Caitlan Richard, DNR hydrologists Craig Wills and Kelly Condiff, DNR fisheries Jon Frank and Kanabec county environmental services’ Ryan Carda. The panelists answered frequently asked questions about lake and river water quality, aquatic weeds, shoreline health, fish habitat, permitting, and much more. There were over 50 people in attendance at the event. Attendees brought great questions and had great feedback. We are planning on putting on the event or a similar one next year as requested by many attendees. In the end we are glad that we had such a great turnout and that local lakeshore and streambank owners in our watershed got some of their questions answered and now know who to contact for different concerns.

Watershed Updates

The Snake River Watershed spans a majority of Kanabec County and flows into our neighboring counties as well. This month, the Snake River Watershed Plan Partnership Board Meeting was held in Pine County so those who attended could visit the shoreline restoration sites pictured below. Shoreline buffers or native plantings are crucial for water quality in the Snake River Watershed. Buffers increase plant biodiversity and living cover which slows and filters water that runs down slopes and reduces erosion as the deep roots of native plants hold soil in place. These essential functions of healthy shorelines reduce the amount of excess nutrients in our watershed - and create beautiful, natural landscapes.

A tranquil water scene with greenery and tall grass on the shore under a partly cloudy sky. — Native shoreline buffer in its second year at Cross Lake Estates. Pine City, MN.

A serene lake view with green fencing protecting recently restored shoreline plants, under a clear blue sky. — Native shoreline buffer installed this summer at Challeen Park by citizen volunteers and Pine SWCD. Pine City, MN.

Have lakefront property? We can help you plan your own shoreline planting!

Meet Our Newest Employee

A person stands by a fence in a farm setting, interacting with cows under a clear blue sky.

Hello! My name is Mallory Kaiser, and I recently joined the Kanabec SWCD as a conservation technician focusing on soil health. My conservation journey began many years ago on my family's cattle and specialty crop farm where I learned to love and steward the land I grew up on. Most recently, I graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with my M.S. in biology. My program focused on aquatic ecosystem conservation and invasive or noxious weed management. I am excited to learn from this community and put my agricultural and educational experience to work, conserving the beautiful habitat and lands of Kanabec County while prioritizing landowner needs.