The Rum River is designated as one of Minnesota’s ‘Wild and Scenic Rivers’ and is the major watershed in Mille Lacs County.  Maintaining and protecting its water quality is a significant concern.  Seasonally saturated soils, numerous intermittent streams and the coarse soils of the Anoka Sand Plain are all characteristics of the southern portion of the county which supports the primary concentration of cultivated agriculture. 

 Proper application of agricultural nutrients directly effects water quality by reducing nutrient loading in runoff.  A Nutrient Management Plan is a long range plan used to identify resource concerns, sensitive areas and changes in management needed to improve crop production and decrease the pollution potential.  Nutrient Management Plans provide environmental benefit by managing the amount, source, placement, form and timing of the application of nutrients on agricultural land.   

 A grant from the Clean Water Fund will result in the timely and successful implementation of ten (10) nutrient management plans that will result in management changes with an estimated average application reduction of 30 pound per acre phosphorus and 40 pounds per acre nitrogen over 1,958 acres annually.  

 Work to accomplish this goal began in 2010 and will be completed in 2011.  Planning with farmers has provided a greater understanding of the importance of incorporating manure immediately into the soil during field application, as well as the importance of using proper setbacks from sensitive areas during application.  Outreach to additional local producers will be provided on a one on one basis as well as in a group nutrient management workshop format.  The successful outreach and implementation of these plans will create interest for continued nutrient management planning among producers.

For additional information on the expenditure of the grant funds and measurable outcomes as a result of the expenditure of these funds: CLICK HERE