Welcome to the Pipestone Soil & Water Conservation District

The Pipestone SWCD is a legal subdivision of the state that is governed by a five member board which is elected by the citizens of the county and staffed by professionals dedicated to serve the public. The SWCD works with both rural and urban landowners to carry out different conservation programs for the use and development of soil & water related resources. 

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  WIA PROGRAM

The Walk-In Access (WIA) program is a three-year pilot program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It aims to provide new hunting opportunities on private land that already is enrolled in existing conservation programs. 

WIA land

 Parcels must be at least 40 acres and currently enrolled in a conservation program. Enrollment in 2011 and 2012 is limited to 21 counties in southwestern Minnesota. Landowners in Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Stevens, Swift, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine counties had until Friday, Aug. 12, to sign up at their local Soil and Water Conservation District office.

The WIA program is entirely voluntary for landowners. Enrolled lands are covered under the Minnesota recreational use laws that limit landowners' liability. DNR conservation officers handle trespass and hunting violations.

To View a Map of the land that is enrolled in the WIA Program in Minnesota, please click on the link below:

Interactive Map

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Conservation Farmers of the Year!

 

Brothers Brian & Jerry Houselog, of Holland, operate a grain farm raising Corn and Soybeans, & also have several head of cattle. The Houselogs have been farming for a number of years and ultimately began doing conservation practices when they took over a neighboring farm that was well known for its conservation practices.  Over the years, they have planted several windbreaks, installed grassed waterways, filter strips, terraces, and have also done a good job maintaining a wetland area. Most recently they have installed include several sediment control basins as well as a prescribed grazing system for their cattle. The Houselog’s have shown a remarkable will to be first-class stewards of the land by practicing strip till farming and keeping their nutrient management plans up to date.