MFU members Jim and Debbie Morrison of Sapsucker Farms hosted an event on their farm in partnership with Renewing the Countryside for their Unlocking Conservation series July 31st, 2025. The series was aimed at connecting farmers to their local NRCS and SWCD staff, and demystifying the process of working together on farm conservation projects. Around 40 farmers and ag professionals attended the event. Speakers included Shannon Bodle of the Mora NRCS office, district manager of Kanabec SWCD Jaren Peplinski, co-owner of Sapsucker Farms Jim Morrison, and Renewing the Countryside’s Brett Olson and Gilbert Schwartz. Other SWCD and NRCS staff were also in attendance to connect with producers and answer questions.
During the panel, Jim spoke about his experience connecting with local conservation staff for the first time when they bought their land over twenty years ago. He explained that with little experience and unclear goals, conservation staff were happy to help Jim and Debbie execute projects on their farm, including creating a shelter belt for migrating birds on their land. Over the years, they’ve completed a handful of projects on their land thanks to help from their local conservation offices.
Ag professionals speaking at the event emphasized that NRCS and SWCD offices do not work on commission and don’t aim to sell anything to producers, but rather they work to ensure land owners have the resources and assistance they need to execute conservation projects successfully. They also shared that technical assistance is available for free, year-round, and with no application necessary to help producers with conservation projects.
Jaren of Kanabec SWCD brought handouts to share about the cost-share opportunities offered at Kanabec SWCD, which can cover from 75% up to 100% of project costs. He emphasized that SWCD offices are funded thanks to grants voted on by Minnesotans to pay for staff wages and projects. Currently, a large portion of the grant money is allocated towards water quality projects.
Brett of Renewing the Countryside shared about his experience working with his local SWCD in Wabasha County to eradicate invasive buckthorn stands. For the project, he was able to take advantage of cost-share programs to partially cover the cost of renting goats to control the species on his land.
Attendees of the event enjoyed a pizza lunch with Sapsucker Farms/Yellow Belly Cidery ginger ale and apple cider. Handouts about conservation programs and other relevant info were available from NRCS, Kanabec SWCD, Transition to Organic Partnership Program, Minnesota Farmers Union, and Renewing the Countryside. The event concluded with a raffle for eight attendees to win prizes ranging from a soil pH tester, a signed book about agroforestry, T-shirts, and more.