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Sherburne SWCD Podcasts and Webinars
Podcasts
Podcast 101 Turf BASICS
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Sherburne SWCD's inaugural podcast!
Struggling with your lawn? Wondering if you are overwatering or overfertilizing? What is turf? Franny Gerde, Urban Conservationist, sits down with Jon Trappe, Assistant Extension Professor of Turfgrass Sciences with the University of Minnesota to discuss Best Management Practices on turfgrass. Resources https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/lawn-care |
Franny Gerde
Jon Trappe
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Listen Online
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Watch on Youtube
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Podcast 102 Irrigation in minnesota
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The second episode of Sherburne SWCD's brand new podcast is all about irrigation and farming in Sherburne County and Minnesota.
Miranda Wagner, Agricultural Conservationist, sat down with Jake Wildman, President of the Irrigators Association of Minnesota, Ryan Peterson. Clear Lake Irrigator and President of the East Central Irrigators Association and Keith Olander, Executive Director of AgCentric at Central Lakes College to discuss Irrigation as well as farming, wind erosion and other conservation practices for water quality and quantity. Resources for Irrigators Association of Minnesota
https://mnirrigators.org/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkmYs9fYBCk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7sLzu-gxug https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8TDlKhJods Resources from AgCentric https://www.agcentric.org/farm-business-management/ https://www.agcentric.org/rcpp-precision-irrigation/ 
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Miranda Wagner
Ryan Peterson
Jake Wildman
Keith Olander
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Listen Online
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Watch on Youtube
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pODCAST 103 ALL ABOUT EAB
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David Wick
Erik Lindberg
Jonathan Osthus
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Podcast 104 All Things pollinators
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Join Pollinator Conservationist and Author, Heather Holm and Sherburne SWCD staff Franny Gerde discuss all things pollinators in celebration of National Pollinator Week. Many people know of the honeybee and the monarch butterfly but what about Minnesota’s other essential pollinators? Learn about the wide variety of these buzzing insects and how homeowners can help support their populations in their own backyards!
Heather Holm’s Website https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/ Resources for Native Plants and Pollinators Residential Pollinator Habitat Guide: https://bwsr.state.mn.us/residential-pollinator-habitat Minnesota’s Pollinators: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/pollinators/index.html U of M Bee Lab: https://beelab.umn.edu/ Lawns to Legumes Grant Program: https://bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legumes/ Native Plant Suppliers: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/gardens/nativeplants/suppliers.html Minnesota Wildflowers Plant ID Guide: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/ |
Franny Gerde
Heather Holm
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Listen Online
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Watch on Youtube
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podcast 105 What is the sWCD? Ask our county commissioners!
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Thank you for joining us for our 5th installment of our SWCD Podcast! Miranda Wagner and Francine Larson sat down with Sherburne County Commissioners Lisa Fobbe and Gary Gray to discuss what an SWCD is and how they serve Sherburne County and the State of Minnesota. Sherburne County Commissioners also discuss their involvement with the SWCD and their favorite conservation topic. Enjoy!
Information about Sherburne County Commissioners https://www.co.sherburne.mn.us/573/Board-of-Commissioners Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts https://www.maswcd.org/
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Miranda Wagner
Francine Larson
Commissioner Fobbe
Commissioner Gray
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podcast 106 Conversations with the Conservation Corps
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Franny Gerde
Miranda Wagner
Mary Mullane
Lilly Bowman
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PODCAST 107 Native Plants for Healthy Shorelines
Contacts:
Bre Baurely: [email protected] Franny Gerde: [email protected] Resources: MNL “how-to seed and plant” video https://mnlcorp.com/blog/2023/01/20/project-planning-how-to-seed-and-plant-your-project/ Briggs Lake Chain Gentle Footprints program - https://briggslakechainassociation.com/?page_id=732 Minnesota Wildflowers - https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/ DNR Restore Your Shore Resource Guide - https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/rys/index.html DNR Native Plant Suppliers List - https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/gardens/nativeplants/suppliers.html Lawns to Legumes - https://bwsr.state.mn.us/l2 |
Miranda Wagner
Franny Gerde
Bre Bauerly
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Listen Online
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Watch on YouTube
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POdcast 108 FRderal Programs
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Please join us as we sit down with Katie Evans and Stacie Schlangen to discuss federal programming available for producers and landowners in Sherburne County. We discuss financial assistance options as well as opportunities you may not know about!
Resources:
Farmers.gov for conservation: https://www.farmers.gov/conservation Minnesota NRCS’s website: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/minnesota Protection and recovery programs: https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery#protection Conservation programs: https://www.farmers.gov/conservation Loans: https://www.farmers.gov/loans |
Katie Evans
Stacie Schlangen
Miranda Wagner
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podcast 109 Aquatic Invasive Species in Minnesota
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Join us as we sit down and discuss Aquatic Invasive Species in Sherburne County and Minnesota with Megan Weber, Aquatic Invasive Species U of MN Extension Educator, and Dan Cibulka, Senior Water Resource Specialist with the Sherburne SWCD. We highlight what you can do as a landowner and water user to help the quality of our public waters and what water resource professionals are monitoring and planning for the future.
Resources
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Dan Cibulka
Miranda Wagner
Megan Weber
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podcast 110 conservation on the farm
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Listen in as we discuss Conservation on the Farm with Josh Krenz of Windland Flats and Will Bomier, Minnesota Department of Agriculture. We highlight Josh’s conservation path and how he has worked with and become certified as a MAWQCP certified farm and Will explains how he works with growers and helps operations meet their conservation goals.
Resources https://windlandflats.com/ https://www.mda.state.mn.us/environment-sustainability/minnesota-agricultural-water-quality-certification-program Will Bomier: Certification Specialist, [email protected]
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Will Bomier
Josh Krenz
Miranda Wagner
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podcast 111 County Parks
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Tune in to our latest episode of the SWCD Podcast series where we will be joined by Sherburne County Parks Director, Gina Hugo and former SWCD employee, Bill Bronder. We will discuss the history of the Sherburne County Parks system, how management has changed over the years, and what is being planned for the future.
Resources Sherburne County Parks Website: https://www.co.sherburne.mn.us/610/County-Parks Ecologically Sound Practices webinar, featuring County Parks management strategies:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbtOBgxuyqI&list=PLGHXSsYI7l-X3Dcb6a5ABJqMifefg5irc&index=23 Non-Chemical Conversion: Old Fields to Prairie Installation webinar, featuring County Parks management strategies:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMvT9j2cqGo&list=PLGHXSsYI7l-X3Dcb6a5ABJqMifefg5irc&index=3 |
Bill Bronder
Gina Hugo
Franny Gerde
Miranda Wagner
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| 111_sherburne_county_parks_01.mp3 |
podcast 112 Easements for Private Lands
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What are easements for private lands, and how do they work? Miranda sits down with Kevin Roth from the Board of Soil and Water Resources, Carly Aulicky from Minnesota Land Trust and Grayson Smith from US Fish and Wildlife to find out.
Resources: Grayson Smith Fish and Wildlife Biologist [email protected] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services: https://www.fws.gov Carly Aulicky Conservation Program Manager [email protected] Minnesota Land Trust: https://mnland.org Kevin Roth Easement Programs Coordinator [email protected] Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources: https://bwsr.state.mn.us |
Miranda Wagner
Grayson Smith
Carly Aulicky
Kevin Roth
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| 112_easements_for_private_lands_01.mp3 |
podcast 113 eASEMENTS FOR PRIVATE LANDS PART 2
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For the final episode of the 2024 Podcast series, David Wick highlights a successful conservation easement in Sherburne County . He sits down with the landowner and partners to discuss the collaboration that led to the restoration of 6 wetland basins and native uplands.
https://www.co.sherburne.mn.us/358/Wetlands https://www.fws.gov/program/partners-fish-and-wildlife Grayson Smith Fish and Wildlife Biologist [email protected] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services: https://www.fws.gov Haley Golz Private Lands Restoration Program Manager 218-221-7777 • [email protected] https://mnland.org/protect-land/land-easement/ |
David Wick
Renay Leone
Grayson Smith
Haley Golz
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Podcast 114 Manure on Large farms
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To kick off the 2025 Sherburne SWCD podcast, we sat down with Dana Adams and Amy Robak to talk about manure management on large operations, We highlight changes that are being made on the regulation as well as Best Management Practices for manure management.
Resources: Dana Adams is the local livestock educator in Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne counties with the University of Minnesota Extension. Through her work, she provides education, technical services, and partners with other agricultural agencies in her counties. Dana Adams, M.S. University of Minnesota Extension, ANR Livestock Extension Educator in Stearns, Benton, Morrison & Sherburne Counties Email: [email protected] Office: (320)-200-3135 Cell: (320)-204-2968 Amy Robak, is a lead environmental specialist at Centra Sota Cooperative and specializes in animal facility improvements, nutrient and pest management, and soil health implementation. Amy Robak, CCA CentraSota, Lead Environmental Specialist USDA-NRCS TSP-16-21609 MPCA-Type IV Operator-77869763 [email protected] Mobile: 612-400-3974 https://extension.umn.edu/livestock-operations/manure-management MPCA: Feedlots, permits, and regulation https://www.pca.state.mn.us/business-with-us/feedlots 2025 County Feedlot Contacts https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-f1-13.pdf |
Miranda Wagner
Dana Adams
Amy Robak
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| 113 large_farm_manure.mp3 |
podcast 115 Landscaping for pollinators
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Tune into the Pollinator Week podcast as SWCD staff are joined by Quincy Sadowski, Extension Educator with the University of Minnesota, for a conversation on how to support pollinators through residential landscaping. Discover practical strategies and simple changes in landscape maintenance that can make a significant impact on pollinator health. Learn which plants are essential for supporting a diverse range of pollinator species and how you can help create thriving habitat in your own yard. Resources:
Quincy Sadowski is a Local Extension Educator in Horticulture serving Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne Counties. In her role, she helps to support the Extension Master Gardener volunteer programs, answer technical assistance calls, and host educational programs that are important to the local community.
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Quincy Sadowski
Franny Gerde
David Wick
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PODCAST 116 Small Farms & DIrect Marketing
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Continuing our 2025 Sherburne SWCD Summer podcast series, Lilly interviews Lauren Heers and Josh Krenz to talk about small farms and direct marketing. Listen in to hear tips on finding your ideal consumer, diversifying your business, using best management practices, and more to increase marketability; as well as what resources exist to help small farms get started and improve profitability.
Lauren Heers serves as the Small Farms & Local Foods Educator with University of Minnesota Extension for Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne Counties. She holds a B.S. in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems with a focus on civic agriculture and community health from the University of Minnesota. In her role with Extension, she works with farmers and local food producers on a variety of topics including small business development, agri-tourism, direct marketing, sustainable systems management and community engagement. Josh Krenz is the owner and operator of Windland Flats in Princeton Minnesota. He and his family raise Scottish Highland grass-fed beef and Shetland sheep for both breeding stock and wool production. Josh remains actively involved in the agricultural community through his volunteer work with local 4-H groups and the American Highland Cattle Association. He also serves as the District V Board Supervisor for the Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). Resource on MN's Cottage Food Law: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/food-feed/cottage-food-law-guidance
Resource for developing a business plan: https://agplan.umn.edu/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fuser%2fDefault.aspx Resource for digital marketing "Marketing in a Digital Era Toolkit": https://ruralengagement.org/digital-marketing-toolkit/ Extension Agritourism info page (w/ resources, events and newsletter signup): https://extension.umn.edu/tourism/agritourism-where-agriculture-and-tourism-meet#marketing-3294563 Extension Direct Marketing info page: https://extension.umn.edu/direct-marketing-farm-products/direct-farm-marketing#making-a-profit-requires-analysis-3439263
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Lilly Bowman
Lauren Heers
Josh Krenz
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podcast 117 strip till
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In this two part podcast, we dive into Strip Till. First, Jackie Estrem and Bailey Tangen meet operator Ryan Peterson in the field to take a closer look at how the Petersons uses Strip Till and then Miranda Wagner sits down with Jackie and Bailey to further the conversation about the benefits and applicability of strip till from a soil health perspective.
Bailey Tangen Bailey is an Extension educator specializing in soil health and water resources, with a focus on helping producers improve soil health and boost farm profitability through practices like continuous living cover and reduced tillage. Jackie Estrem Jackie is the Sustainable Agriculture Extension Educator for Sherburne, Stearns, Benton, and Morrison counties. She holds a B.S. in agricultural business from the University of Wisconsin--River Falls. In her role, Jackie supports local crop growers with general technical assistance and education events. Ryan Peterson Ryan is a producer in Clear Lake, MN. The farm is a cash grain, edible beans, and small grains operation that utilizes soil health practices such as Strip Till and Cover Crops in their rotations. |
Bailey Tangen
Jackie Estrem
Ryan Peterson
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PODCAST 118 mANURE ON SMALL FARMS
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On this episode of the 2025 Sherburne SWCD podcast, we sat down with Dana Adams and Amy Robak to talk about manure management on small operations, We highlight changes that are being made on the regulation as well as Best Management Practices for manure management.
To kick off the 2025 Sherburne SWCD podcast, we sat down with Dana Adams and Amy Robak to talk about manure management on large operations, We highlight changes that are being made on the regulation as well as Best Management Practices for manure management. Resources: Dana Adams is the local livestock educator in Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne counties with the University of Minnesota Extension. Through her work, she provides education, technical services, and partners with other agricultural agencies in her counties. Dana Adams, M.S. University of Minnesota Extension, ANR Livestock Extension Educator in Stearns, Benton, Morrison & Sherburne Counties Email: [email protected] Office: (320)-200-3135 Cell: (320)-204-2968 Amy Robak, is a lead environmental specialist at Centra Sota Cooperative and specializes in animal facility improvements, nutrient and pest management, and soil health implementation. Amy Robak, CCA CentraSota, Lead Environmental Specialist USDA-NRCS TSP-16-21609 MPCA-Type IV Operator-77869763 [email protected] Mobile: 612-400-3974 https://extension.umn.edu/manure-management/managing-and-composting-horse-manure https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-f8-06.pdf https://extension.umn.edu/livestock-operations/manure-management MPCA: Feedlots, permits, and regulation https://www.pca.state.mn.us/business-with-us/feedlots 2025 County Feedlot Contacts https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-f1-13.pdf |
Miranda Wagner
Dana Adams
Amy Robak
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| small_farm_manure_1_01.mp3 |
podcast 119 planting green
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In this two part podcast, we dig deeper into planting green, Jackie Estrem and Miranda Wagner meet operator Kiel Golly in the field to take learn how Golly has transitioned to planting green on their operation and then Miranda Wagner sits down with Jackie and Bailey to further the conversation about the benefits and applicability of planting green from a soil health perspective.
Jackie Estrem Jackie is the Sustainable Agriculture Extension Educator for Sherburne, Stearns, Benton, and Morrison counties. She holds a B.S. in agricultural business from the University of Wisconsin--River Falls. In her role, Jackie supports local crop growers with general technical assistance and education events. Bailey Tangen Bailey is an Extension educator specializing in soil health and water resources, with a focus on helping producers improve soil health and boost farm profitability through practices like continuous living cover and reduced tillage. Kiel Golly Kiel is a producer in Clear Lake, MN, managing about 1,700 acres, raising seed corn, soybeans and rye with his dad, John. They use a mix of no-till, cover crops and some conventional tillage, always working to keep the ground productive and healthy. |
Miranda Wagner
Jackie Estrem
Bailey Tangen
Kiel Golly
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| planting_green_01.mp3 |
Webinars
Beneficial trees & shrubs for pollinators and wildlife
Rain Garden's 101
How to use the Web Soil Survey
The importance of pollinators
SHORELINE RESTORATION
Introduction to Wetlands and Wetland Regulation
Private Wells - What do you need to know?