Nordmeyer joins county S.W.C.D.

Cammi Nordmeyer joined the Waseca County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) this summer as its new soil health technician.

Nordmeyer, 25, is a recent graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she earned a degree in Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services with an emphasis on resource management. Her training included work on geographic information systems--computer software which makes use of global positioning systems to manage data concerning specific units of land.

Her job as a soil health technician has her working closely with farmers who are interested in trying soil conservation methods in their fields.

Certain programs available through SWCD, Nordmeyer explains, create a “cost sharing” system which helps minimize the financial risks farmers take as they incorporate reduced-till planting, cover crops, or other crop management methods which emphasize soil health and erosion control.

“Maybe they’ve seen something their neighbor is trying and they’re intrigued,” offers Nordmeyer. “Maybe they heard about a system during one of the soil health field days.

“My job is to advise them about methods which might work well in their setting, and to guide them through the process of getting a cost sharing contract.

“I inform them about what resources are available to them. I answer their questions and help with the paperwork. I make sure they understand what they’re agreeing to.”

The idea behind the cost sharing program, Nordmeyer explains, is to encourage farmers who are interested in conservation methods, but uncertain about whether the expense and uncertainty of changing their practices is worthwhile.

“Contracts differ depending on circumstances,” Nordmeyer says, “but the idea is to give the farmer one to five years of experience with the new system, see its benefits, and recognize the value of continuing even after their cost sharing contract ends.

“We hope farmers will come to us if they’re curious, if they’re interested in trying something new, or even just to find out some of the science behind a new method.

“Even a small change can have a big impact on soil health and preventing erosion,” she says.

Since joining the S.W.C.D. in July, Nordmeyer says she has helped a fair number of farmers change over to new soil health practices.

“I’m really pleased and excited to have an impact this way,” she comments. “I’ve seen some farmers make some really valuable changes away from the traditional planting and tillage methods.

“The research shows those changes can have important, lasting impacts for generations to come.”

Nordmeyer encourages anyone with questions about soil management practices or  SWCD programs to visit the department’s website at www.wasecaswcd.org, call 507-835-0563, or contact her directly at CammiN.swcd@wasecacounty.gov.