Sauk Soil & Water Improvement Group

Mission Statement: Improving soil health and water quality through regenerative agricultural practices and education to build resilient family farms and thriving rural communities

Vision Statement: Healthy soils, clean waters, and thriving communities supported by resilient family farms.

Goal 1: Measure and increase adoption of regenerative practices and management systems that
improve soil health and water quality.

• Objective 1.1: Conduct an annual farm practice survey and present results.
• Objective 1.2: Implement a cost-share program to fund…. the integration of livestock on cropland; harvestable buffer (>35’) around riparian areas; regenerative system implementation; no-till; testing
• Objective 1.3: Support farmer implementation of regenerative management systems by hosting peer group (social/technical) meetings where farmers can share their successes, failures, and ideas as to better overcome the learning curve associated with the adoption of new practices/management systems.

Goal 2: Increase awareness and understanding of the impact regenerative management systems have on soil health, water quality, and farm resilience

• Objective 2.1: Host an annual workshop, featuring leaders of the regenerative agriculture movement as guest presenters.
• Objective 2.2: Conduct on-farm research across 4 farms for a period of 4 years to quantify the soil health and economic impact of regenerative management systems.
• Objective 2.3: Host 6 field days annually to demonstrate the benefits of regenerative management systems.
• Objective 2.4: Partner with local FFA organizations to run youth agricultural education programs.

Goal 3: Develop the outreach and networking capacity of SSWIG

• Objective 3.1: Host one annual community meeting that serves to bring together farmers and non-farmers to find common ground.
• Objective 3.2: Create and distribute SSWIG signage and swag.
• Objective 3.3: Design and publish a SSWIG website to serve as a point of reference for anyone interested in the group.

Goal 4: Expand SSWIGs organizational capacity

• Objective 4.1: establish SSWIG as a 501c3 entity.
• Objective 4.2: hold bimonthly group meetings to organize and execute projects.
• Objective 4.3: establish administrative group roles for group members.
• Objective 4.4: establish terms for committee members and election or nomination policies.

News & Stories

Group Sets Sights on Cover Crops, Rotational Grazing