About this episode

The episode discusses conservation practices and resources available to farmers, featuring insights from experts at a conservation conference.

Today we’re going on the road with a conversation recorded during the Minnesota Association of Social and Water Conservation Districts' (MASWCD) annual conference. Mike Schultz, district manager at the Le Sueur County SWCD talks with Brad Carlson about actual methods of incorporating conservation practices into the landscape. What are general categories of conservation practices? How are watershed plans written, and how do they address a balanced set of interests? Which practices tend to appeal to farmers the most? What kinds of resources can a County SWCD provide? What are some examples of successful implementation? Are there cost-share programs available - and if so how do farmers find them? All that and more on today's episode of the Advancing Nitrogen Smart Podcast. Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato) Mike Schultz, district manager, Le Sueur SWCD Additional resources: Le Sueur County SWCD Soil and Water Conservation District Directory MN SWCDs (from the MN Board of Soil and Water Resources) Minnesota Nutrient Reduction Strategy Nitrogen Smart One Watershed, One Plan --- For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast…

People in this episode

Guests: Mike Schultz, Brad Carlson

Topics covered

• conservation practices
• water management
• farmer resources
• sustainable agriculture
• cost-share programs
• successful implementation

Keywords

• conservation
• SWCD
• farmers
• watershed plans
• cost-share
• sustainability
• agriculture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Le Sueur County SWCD, Minnesota Association of Social and Water Conservation Districts, MN Board of Soil and Water Resources, Minnesota Nutrient Reduction Strategy, Nitrogen Smart, One Watershed, One Plan

More episodes of UMN Extension Nutrient Management Podcast

• Nitrates & placement: Factors for reducing nitrogen loss to water · May 6, 2026 · 35 min
• Spring fertilizer outlook: How is price volatility impacting input planning in 2026? · April 7, 2026 · 34 min
• Active sensors & variable rate nitrogen: What MN farmers should know · March 26, 2026 · 22 min
• Phosphorus: Rate guidelines, sources & best practices for Minnesota, Midwest farmers · March 17, 2026 · 40 min
• Minnesota's Nutrient Reduction Strategy: Practices, progress & solutions · March 9, 2026 · 21 min
• Looking ahead to spring manure: ManureDB, research updates & best practices for MN farmers · February 23, 2026 · 24 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the UMN Extension Nutrient Management Podcast podcast page.