2016 Conservation Cooperator Award
Wayne and Bernadette Kieffer of Hastings were recently recognized by the SWCD with the 2016 Conservation Cooperator Award for their leadership and contributions in protecting our natural resources. 
Wayne, his wife Bernadette, and their sons Tim and Kevin are fourth and fifth generation dairy producers that have operated in Dakota County for over 120 years. The Kieffer’s maintain six hundred animals and operate 840 acres of corn, soybeans, alfalfa and canning crops.
Over the past several years, they have constructed a new manure storage pit to more efficiently manage their livestock waste, installed 1.2 miles of grassed waterways and constructed eight water and sediment control basins to reduce soil loss during high water events, implemented an irrigation water management plan,  and permanently protected 130 acres of natural area and prime farmland from future development.
The Kieffer’s are great stewards of the land and continue to look at new ways to improve water quality within their farming operation. The Kieffer’s will be recognized at the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s Annual Convention in December. Thank you to the Kieffer family for being leaders in conservation!
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SWCD held its annual Outdoor Education Days event at the 210 acre restored prairie on the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington, MN last month. 
1) Agriculture with University of MN Extension and 4-H, 2) Fall Phenology with Dakota County Parks, 3) Prairie with the National Parks Service, 4) Soils with NRCS, and 5) Water with the SWCD. 
John joins the SWCD from Prairie Restorations, Inc. where he was a project manager working with contractors, private landowners and governments to restore native landscapes. Prior to working for Prairie Restorations, John was a program manager with the Conservation Corps of Minnesota where he trained and supervised AmeriCorps members (18-25 year olds) in natural resource restorations and environmental education.
The Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District is currently accepting application for the Agricultural Best Management Practices (AgBMP) Loan Program. 
The loan can be used with state and federal cost share programs and with grants.
