Soil & Water District outlines conservation programs, training and grant activity

Mark Hazards, chair of the North Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District, briefed the committee on the district’s multi‑decade work providing technical assistance, soil health workshops, irrigation water‑management planning and school outreach.

Hazards said the district supports farmers with on‑site evaluations, nutrient management planning and workshops that in the past year reached more than 2,000 students and adults. He said the district helps towns and landowners with conservation landscape certification, invasive species planning and technical reviews for culvert and road projects.

He highlighted a recently approved federal program to fund temporary skidder bridges and reduce logging‑related erosion and sedimentation and described grant programs for irrigation and water management. Members thanked the district for its work and asked a few technical questions about PFAS and composting research; Hazards said the district collaborates with state agriculture programs on research and funding.

The district requested continued financial support; because the committee lacked a quorum the matter will be finalized in a later session.