December 20 – Taopi area family recognized at annual state conference for SWCDs
Using a variety of practices on their croplands to improve soil health and reduce erosion, Voigt Family Farms is a strong example of conservation-minded farmers in Mower County.
This month, members of the Voigt family were recognized along with dozens of other conservationists at the 88th annual convention of the Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts in the Twin Cities.
The Voigts – Devin, Darin, Dustin and Dallas, with their parents David and Beth, based in the Taopi area of southeastern Mower County, are Mower County’s 2024 Outstanding Conservationists of the Year, chosen by the Board of Supervisors of the Mower Soil & Water Conservation District. .
“They are truly a great family to work with on projects that support their farming operations while protecting our natural resources,” said Mower SWCD Manager Cody Fox. “The Voigts have seen firsthand the value of crop rotation, incorporating livestock into the landscape and reducing tillage.”
In addition to raising cattle, the Voigts’ business also grows cash crops in a corn-soybean rotation and runs a manure pumping business. Over the years they have maintained and constructed numerous grassy waterways that help protect their cropland from field erosion.
More recently, the Voigt family has focused on integrating soil health practices, including starting a strip-till system, planting more small grains, using cover crops and implementing no-till in some fields. Strip lifting means cultivating a narrow strip of soil, applying fertilizer and leaving the other soil undisturbed.
The Voigts have also volunteered with the Cedar River Watershed District, staffed by Mower SWCD, on major flood mitigation projects and on the ongoing SWCD-CRWD water monitoring efforts for 16 years.
This year, MASWCD’s annual convention brought together more than 760 conservation leaders from across the state for two days of state leaders and environmental professionals discussing conservation policies, implementation strategies and the latest technologies in natural resource management.
Because more than 75 percent of Minnesota land is privately owned, voluntary conservation of private lands is the key to protecting and enhancing natural resources for all to enjoy, said Chuck Rau, MASWCD board chairman and Benton County SWCD board member .
“Creating abundant habitat for wildlife, healthy soil to grow our food and clean groundwater for our homes and businesses does not happen in a vacuum,” Rau said. “These resources do not follow property lines. An impact in one area will impact another area downstream.”
