Latest News & Updates

Our Website is Under Construction

The Rice SWCD is excited to announce that our website is getting a much needed upgrade. We have merged the main website with our online store website so that everything is in one place. We are also improving our accessibility for our customers with disabilities and coming into compliance with federal law. Please be patient with our website as we make this change, which will take some time to transfer information over to the new pages.

Native Plant Pickup Day Scheduled

Text: 2026 Native Plant Sae Pick Up, Summer is Here! Time to Plant Natives! Collage of native plant seedling kit, orange butterfly milkweed flowers, and pink purple prairie coneflowers.

The 2026 Rice SWCD Native Plant Kit pick-up will be Wednesday, June 3rd from Noon to 5:00 pm at our office located at 2211 2nd Ave NW in Faribault.

Please park at the south end of the parking lot and come to the garage to pick up your plants.

If you are unable to pick up your plant kits on June 3rd, you will need to call the office to make other arrangements. Native Plants are perishable and therefore cannot be guaranteed. Plants not picked up after one week will be forfeited. Thank you for planting native and helping our local pollinators!

Flooded farm field with green crops partially submerged in water. Trees line the background under an overcast sky, creating a calm mood.

Rethinking Wetland Improvements – How to Manage Wet Meadows Without Excavation

Before deciding to excavate seasonally flooded areas to create a wetland, consider managing it with native plants to create a biodiverse habitat crucial for migrating species, amphibians, and other local wildlife!

5 days ago

A serene lake view with a clear blue sky and scattered clouds. Green trees frame the foreground, creating a calm, peaceful mood.

Southern Minnesota Lakes: Built Different by Nature

Learn about the differences between southern lakes and northern lakes in Minnesota.

5 days ago

Hand places a "VOTE" ballot into a box with a U.S. flag. Red banner reads "ELECTIONS" above. Simple design, black background.

File by June 2nd to Run for SWCD Supervisor

People concerned about water quality and soil health in Rice County should consider filing by June 2, 2026, to run for the position of supervisor of the Rice Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).

May 5

A tractor pulling an interseeder plants cover crops while split applying nitrogen in a cornfield. The corn is about six inches tall.

Lower Nitrogen Rates Show Promise for Southeast Minnesota Corn Farmers

Farmers in Rice and Steele counties are finding that using less nitrogen fertilizer may still deliver solid corn yields—while improving profitability and environmental outcomes.

Mar 5