Event information
Date and time
Location
Farmamerica
7367 360th Ave.
Waseca,
MN
56093
Contact
Tim Gieseke, [email protected], 507-766-9495
Minnesota Drainage Program - Waseca
The event will feature two sessions focused on agricultural drainage.
The morning session will discuss precision drainage and how farmers can design field drainage systems to improve crop production through uniform drainage and water table management. A drainage contractor will discuss the design and installation of precision drainage systems.
The afternoon session will focus on local coordination for drainage improvement projects. A speaker from the Red River Basin will explain the coordination principles developed decades ago to address regional flooding concerns.
Attendees may attend the morning session, the afternoon session or both. A boxed lunch will be provided at noon.
Find out more about the Minnesota Drainage Program.
Audience
Farmers, county staff, drainage stakeholders, crop advisors and conservation staff
Cost
$25; includes lunch
Registration
Registration is required. Register by August 7 to ensure you are on the lunch list.
Accommodations
University of Minnesota Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. To request accommodations for persons with disabilities, reach out to the event contact two weeks before the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Language
This offering is delivered in English. Interpreter services may be available with an advance request.
Agenda
9 a.m.
Gary Sands (UMN Extension) will cover key water management variables: soil types, drainage coefficients, tile depth, and tile spacing.
Mike Tveten (Ellingson Drainage) will present modern installation technologies and layout options, including grid, contour, precision and controlled drainage systems.
Tim Gieseke and Gary Sands will introduce DrainTool®, a free geographic information system (GIS) software.
Tim Radatz (Discovery Farms) will present an overview of controlled drainage practices.
Morning participants can join a controlled drainage tour with Tim Radatz at 12:30.
Lunch 11:45 a.m.
1 to 3:30 p.m.
Rob Sip, Executive Director of the Red River Basin Watershed Management Board (RRBWMB), will present on governance models and local drainage management lessons from the Red River Basin.
Bethany Bethke (MN DNR) will outline early coordination strategies, the Mediation Agreement, and the Red River Basin Project Team Handbook.
Chris Howard (Waseca County Land & Water Resources Director), along with engineering consultants and county leaders, will discuss local coordination needs, ditch repair/improvement processes, and multi-partner project execution.
Afternoon participants can join a controlled drainage tour with Tim Radatz at 3:30 following closing evaluations.