Welcome

Submitted by Tokina McHarry, Education/Outreach Manager, James River SCD

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After a frigid January, our Soil Conservation District staff are looking forward to some exciting events coming up before tree planting season hits. First of all, mark your calendars for the biennial Ladies Ag Night – March 23!! Once again, the event will be held at the Guelph Community Center. Our speaker will be April Johnson, NDSU Extension Pollinator Program Coordinator. Our spring-themed event will get everyone excited for the beautiful warm weather soon to follow. More details will be released later this month. Watch our Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.

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We are also potentially holding a Grazing Logic Event in collaboration with the ND Grazing Lands Coalition.  We are still in the planning phases but details will be out shortly. It will also be held in March.

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The annual Keep North Dakota Clean contest is celebrating its 58th year in the state. This is the largest and longest running artwork contest in the state of North Dakota. Entries of various types are accepted from students pre-k though high school. Details can be found at https://keep-nd-clean.org/ Some teachers choose to have an entire class create submissions but students can also enter independently. JRSCD staff is willing to meet with classes to discuss the various topics, just reach out to us to schedule a time. The deadline for submissions is March 6th.

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For students ages 13-17, we have an exciting camp opportunity to tell you about. The ND Waterfowl Brigade is being held July 7-11 in Washburn, ND. The aim of this camp is to foster conservation leaders in every community. As a program of Texas Brigades, the ND Waterfowl Brigade provides a full and immersive curriculum designed to educate and provide hands-on experiences that build awareness and appreciation for natural resources. The goal of Texas Brigades is to empower adolescents to become conservation ambassadors. Applications are now being accepted at www.texasbrigades.org/applications. Space is limited and tuition sponsorship is available on a limited basis from our office. Applications are due March 15 so reach out to us asap if you may be interested in attending!

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We also have another new program for all the producers in the county to be aware of. This is a grant program entitled the Governor’s Legacy Soil Health and Habitat Program. This program provides an opportunity for producers to seed marginal cropland into perennial grass, with a 5-year agreement required. The annual rental payment is based on the county average rental rate. There is cost-share for the grass seed and establishment costs. Also, unique to this program are possible crop insurance premium reductions.  And there are additional dollars available if hunting access is allowed through PLOTS.

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The program is administered through the ND Association of Conservation District and ND Game and Fish, with local delivery through Soil Conservation Districts and other partners. Interested parties may call the SCD office for additional information or to till out an application. The first batching round of applications closes February 27.

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Upcoming Dates:

February 11, 2026 – SCD Board Meeting, Ellendale Service Center

February 16, 2026 - President’s Day, Office Closed

February 27, 2026 - First Round LEGACY applications batched

March 6, 2026 – Deadline for Keep North Dakota Clean entries

March 23, 2026 – Ladies Ag Night, Guelph Community Center, details coming soon!

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For more information contact the James River Soil Conservation District and Ellendale NRCS office at 349-3653, ext. 3. Our field office is in Ellendale at 51 N. 1st Street. Also, remember to visit the James River Soil Conservation District Facebook page and our websites for more information –http://www.jamesriverscd.org/ and http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/nd/home/. The NRCS is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender.